Kockney Koi In-Wall Pond Skimmers – Standard & Wide Mouth

Kockney Koi In-Wall Pond Surface Skimmers

Standard and wide-mouth options for collecting floating pond debris

Kockney Koi in-wall surface skimmers draw floating debris towards a collection basket before it settles on the pond floor. Built into the pond wall at water level, they offer a discreet way to deal with leaves and other surface waste while keeping the main water area clear of a floating skimmer body. Choose the standard opening or the wide-mouth version to suit the space and layout of your pond construction.

The black finish helps the exposed face blend into the water’s edge. Behind it, the body and removable basket need to remain accessible for routine emptying. These skimmers are particularly worth considering during a new build or substantial refurbishment, when the wall opening, plumbing and access can be planned together. They work as part of a pumped circulation arrangement; a pump and the connecting pipework are separate requirements.

Which skimmer should you choose?

The standard model provides the smaller wall opening and suits installations where space around the face is limited. The wide-mouth model spreads the entrance across a wider area and requires a wider cut-out. Neither should be selected from pond volume alone: positioning, water movement, the plumbing route and the flow available through the skimmer are all important.

Model	Cut-out and fixing dimensions
Standard	Panel cut-out: 150.8mm wide × 144.4mm high. Outer fixing-hole spacing: 168mm horizontal × 161.6mm vertical. Reference: 011045.
Wide Mouth	Panel cut-out: 305mm wide × 135.5mm high. Outer fixing-hole spacing: 323mm horizontal × 160.4mm vertical. Reference: 011052.

These are panel cut-out and fixing dimensions from the manufacturer’s assembly drawing, not the overall external dimensions of the complete skimmer. Use the actual supplied unit, gaskets and current fitting sheet when marking the wall. The standard and wide-mouth patterns differ, so do not cut an opening for one and assume that the other will fit it.

Plan the location before building the wall

Watch where wind naturally carries leaves across your pond and consider how the return from the filter will circulate the surface. A skimmer is most useful where debris can travel towards it rather than being held in a quiet corner at the opposite end. Avoid positioning a powerful return directly against the skimmer entrance, where turbulence can interfere with a steady surface draw.

Set the opening in relation to the intended operating water level. A skimmer mounted too high may lose its water supply as the pond level falls; one mounted too low may not draw the surface as intended. Allow for normal evaporation and topping-up, and follow the installation instructions rather than estimating the position from a photograph. Keep the basket lid reachable once coping stones and landscaping are installed.

Pipework, gaskets and commissioning

The manufacturer’s exploded diagram identifies the skimmer body, flap, basket, lid, faceplate and sealing parts, together with the separate wide-mouth extension and support arrangement. It is useful when checking how the components fit together. Download the Kockney Koi skimmer assembly and cut-out sheet before planning the installation.

Match the pipe fittings to the supplied connections and the proposed circulation system. Support the plumbing independently so that its weight does not strain the plastic body. Use the appropriate gaskets and fixing sequence for the pond construction, and avoid distorting the faceplate by overtightening individual screws. Check the completed seal before covering access to the back of the wall.

Once the pond is filled, start circulation and check the skimmer, pipe joints and wall seal for leaks. Confirm that the flap moves freely and water enters smoothly. Browse our pond pumps if you are planning a new circuit, or contact us with the intended plumbing arrangement for help selecting suitable equipment.

Emptying the basket and maintaining flow

Inspect the basket regularly, especially during autumn leaf fall or after windy weather. A basket full of leaves restricts the path through the skimmer and reduces the benefit of the system. Lift out the collected debris and dispose of it away from the pond, then reseat the basket correctly before restarting any equipment that was isolated for servicing.

Keep an eye on the opening as well as the basket. Floating plants, uneaten food and loose pond decorations can drift towards it. Feed fish in a suitable area away from the skimmer entrance and check that smaller fish cannot enter an unsuitable installation. Surface skimming complements the main pond filtration; it does not replace biological filtration or the removal of waste that has already sunk.

Before you order

Choose the mouth style first, then check access behind the wall and above the basket. For an existing opening, compare the complete fitting pattern with your present unit rather than relying on the name “in-wall skimmer”. Different brands and generations can use different bodies, faceplates and seals. If you need a replacement basket later, identify the particular skimmer version before selecting the spare.

Compare other in-wall skimmers

For a separate alternative, see our AquaForte Large PRO In-Wall Pond Skimmer – Standard Mouth. Compare the actual body, wall opening and connection sizes for your installation; fittings and replacement parts are not assumed interchangeable between ranges.