DIY Bucket Skimmers

A skimmer is a type of tool that removes debris from the surface of a pond or pool. Debris can consist of leaves, twigs and other material that results from water runoff. You can use a bucket to make a DIY skimmer. As the water drains from the bucket, the debris will stay inside it and you can throw the debris away.

Things You'll Need

• 5-gallon bucket
• Power drill
• Jig saw
• Wire mesh
• Felt-tip marker
• Wire cutters
• Epoxy

Instructions

1. Place the 5-gallon bucket top-down on the ground. Measure a spot 1 inch from the outside edge of the bottom with the tape measure.

2. Drill a hole through into the bottom of the bucket on the 1-inch spot with a power drill. Insert the blade of the jigsaw into the hole. Cut a hole around the perimeter of the bucket. You will end up with 1 inch of material around the bottom of the bucket.

3. Place the wire mesh over the bottom of the bucket. Trace a circle onto the wire mesh by using a felt tip marker. Cut the wire mesh with the wire cutters. The wire mesh should cover the 1 inch of material around the perimeter.

4. Set the 5-gallon bucket right-side up. Secure the wire mesh to the bottom of the bucket with the epoxy. Allow four to six hours for the epoxy to dry

5. Cut a 6-inch by 6-inch hole into the side of the bucket using the power drill and jigsaw. Cut a 7-inch by 7-inch piece of mesh with the wire cutters. Secure this piece of wire mesh over the hole with the epoxy, on the inside of the bucket.

6. Skim the bucket over the water to collect the debris. Make sure the side with the wire mesh is facing up when skimming the water. Lift the bucket upright to strain the water from the bucket.