My pond dredge side project is one clog after another

I decided to build a small dredge for my garden pond to clear out the muck, and it's been nothing but problems. The pump I got online says it's for heavy slurry, but it stalls out on the first thick patch. I rigged up a suction head with some pipe and a screen, but leaves and twigs jam it every time. After three weekends of tinkering, I still can't get a steady flow without something blocking it. It's maddening because I see the big rigs you all run and think my little version should be simpler. This was supposed to be a cool way to learn more about how dredges work, but now I just have a muddy mess. Maybe I'm missing a basic trick, like how to set up the intake better. At this point, I'm close to dumping the whole idea and calling a pro.

3 comments

3 Comments

the_parker1mo ago

What's the mesh size on your screen? Sounds like it's either too fine and catches everything or too wide and lets the wrong stuff through.

carr.noah1mo ago

Your pond's fighting back with its own defense system!

laura_coleman21mo ago

Remember my neighbor tried a fancy fountain last summer. The pump kept choking on pine needles no matter what cover he used. Sounded like a dying blender at 2 AM. He gave up and now it's just a mossy bowl for squirrels to drink from.