Another pond vac question

[livetogarden]

How do you keep from sucking up the fishies when using a pond vac? We have thought about buying one but are curious about this.

[tranquility]

We raise lots of babies every year---so I have lots of vacuuming to do...99% of the time they run from the hose....but, if it picks them up they survive...you just dump out the water-pick up the fish and toss it back....
Lawanna

[2vetts]

our fish come ''running'' every time i put a net the vac or anything else in pond but so far i haven't had one get in the vac . i suppose you've never seen a fish run . i have..........up the local rivers every spring ,

[Loritx]

I think my goldfish (3inch size) are suicidal!!  I find them swimming in the Wetvac all the time!! I just toss them back in!  I have never killed one yet!!

[SueSTx]

I got the Pond Vacuums Muck-Vac
http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/Product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=5565

I used it this morning without using a water hose even.  I tossed the whole thing into the tank...held it all under water until the bubbling stopped...held my hand over the end of the outlet and tossed it over the side of the tank...and started vacumming with a back and forth motion.  Lots of muck and water drained out for a nice water change.

  Yes, I am an experienced ditch irrigation person.     The instructions were given to prime the vacuum when not enough water pressure.     So I primed the thing.  It works for what I bought it for.

[miguynmkoi]

Thanks for this idea!  My DH normally uses a tube hose to suction the gunk from the bottom of the shallow koi pond and it work fabulously.  Never thought of doing it for the deeper lily pond.  With a pole attached to the hose I could vacuum without getting myself all wet!  Now to find a long piece of pvc!