Medium Elite Skimmer [PB1137]

Medium Elite Skimmer

Keep leaves and floating debris from settling on the bottom of your pond with our Medium Elite Skimmer. Designed for water gardens and fish ponds, this contractor-grade mechanical skimmer collects debris before it reaches the pump while keeping the pump and plumbing discreetly positioned outside the main pond.

The reinforced housing features a 10-inch skimmer opening, removable filtration components, and two pump-discharge locations. An included natural-looking landscape lid helps conceal the skimmer along the pond's edge.

The included mesh debris net collects larger leaves and twigs, while the green Matala filter mat captures smaller suspended debris before water reaches the pump chamber.

Our Elite Series uses a reinforced housing with molded ribs and gussets designed to resist distortion after proper installation and backfilling.

Two discharge locations accommodate single- or dual-pump configurations. Built-in overflow plumbing and an optional automatic water-fill connection add installation flexibility.

The Medium Elite Skimmer is intended for ponds with a surface area of up to approximately 550 square feet, comparable to a pond measuring 21' × 26'. Its recommended operating range is 5,000–7,500 GPH, with a maximum pump-flow rating of 10,000 GPH.

Exterior skimmer dimensions: 28.25" D × 19.25" W × 23.75" H

Interior pump area: 7.5" D × 14" W × 22.5" H

The interior pump area is smaller than the outside dimensions. Confirm that your selected pump, discharge assembly, and plumbing will fit inside the available chamber.

The skimmer also requires excavation beyond its exterior footprint. Use our installation instructions to plan the opening, waterline, plumbing, and access for future maintenance.

Choosing your lid: Select either the Sandstone or Gray natural landscape lid using the product options above before adding the skimmer to your cart.

Important: This is a standalone mechanical skimmer, not a complete pond filtration kit. Your pump and other pond-system components are selected separately.

Medium Elite Skimmer housing (PB1137)

Detachable snout and floating skimmer door

Natural landscape lid in your selected color

Green Matala mechanical filter mat

Stainless steel mat holder

Mesh debris collection net

Two rubber UniSeals for 2" discharge connections

Overflow plumbing fittings

Pre-plumbed automatic-fill connection with plug

Stainless steel mounting screws and screw caps

Liner mounting clips and installation hardware

Black silicone and installation instructions

A submersible pump, pump discharge assembly, external plumbing, pond liner, biological waterfall filter, and automatic water-fill assembly are not included with this standalone skimmer.

The automatic-fill connection is built into the skimmer, but the actual automatic-fill kit must be purchased separately if you want that feature.

Use this comparison to evaluate available skimmer sizes before choosing your filtration components. Each model has different dimensions, pump space, flow capacity, and pond coverage.

Weir: 7.5"

Dimensions: 16.25" D × 13.25" W × 14.75" H

Pump area: 6.25" D × 11.25" W × 14" H

Max flow: 2,000 GPH

Max pond area: 90 sq. ft.

Dimensions: 22" D × 14.5" W × 19.5" H

Pump area: 7.5" D × 10" W × 19" H

Max flow: 4,500 GPH

Max pond area: 180 sq. ft.

Weir: 8"

Dimensions: 26.25" D × 15.25" W × 19.75" H

Pump area: 7.5" D × 11.75" W × 19" H

Max flow: 5,550 GPH

Weir: 10"

Dimensions: 28.25" D × 19.25" W × 23.75" H

Pump area: 7.5" D × 14" W × 22.5" H

Max flow: 10,000 GPH

Max pond area: 550 sq. ft.

Weir: 15"

Dimensions: 30.75" D × 23.5" W × 26" H

Pump area: 10" D × 18.5" W × 25" H

Max flow: 20,000 GPH

Max pond area: 900 sq. ft.

Need a different capacity? Compare our Small Elite Skimmer or Large Elite Skimmer .

Proper positioning, liner attachment, plumbing, and backfilling are important for dependable skimmer operation. Review the complete Elite Skimmer Installation Manual before beginning construction.

Position the skimmer at the pond's edge, preferably opposite the waterfall, to help circulate water through the pond. Excavate a few inches beyond the skimmer's outside dimensions.

Our installation manual specifies positioning the top of the skimmer approximately 5" above the intended pond water level.

Install the overflow assembly and rubber UniSeals. If using one pump discharge, close the unused discharge opening as instructed in the manual.

If adding the optional automatic-fill system, install its assembly according to the supplied instructions. Otherwise, keep the automatic-fill connection plugged.

Set the skimmer on a compacted base and confirm it is level from front to back and side to side. Backfill carefully without distorting the housing.

Secure the pond liner to the skimmer face using the included silicone, snout, screws, and installation hardware as directed in the manual.

Position the separately purchased submersible pump in the rear chamber. Connect the pump discharge to your plumbing and route the power cord through the designated notch.

Install the Matala mat and debris net, position the landscape lid, and inspect the system during startup.

Correct skimmer elevation helps the floating door draw surface water into the unit. The installation guide specifies an operating waterline approximately 1" below the upper edge of the snout opening.

Follow the official installation diagrams for the skimmer's exact positioning and overflow adjustment.

The removable net and filter mat are designed for routine cleaning and can be replaced separately when necessary. Match replacement components to the 10-inch Elite Skimmer before ordering.

Replacement Matala Filter Mat: Select the 10" Elite Skimmer variation, item MT10GR, from our Replacement Matala for Elite Skimmer page.

Replacement Mesh Debris Net: Select item NET10SK for the Medium 10" Elite Skimmer from our Replacement Skimmer Mesh Debris Nets page.

Replacement Mat Holder: See our Stainless Mat Holder for Elite Skimmer and choose the compatible size.

Remove collected leaves and debris from the mesh net and rinse the Matala mat when necessary. A noticeably lower water level in the pump chamber compared with the pond can indicate that the filtration components need cleaning.

Our installation manual identifies approximately 10–14 days as a typical cleaning interval, although ponds with heavy leaf accumulation or greater debris loads may require more frequent attention.

Check the pond's water level regularly, especially during hot or dry weather. Replace evaporated water as necessary or consider adding the optional automatic-fill assembly. Use appropriate dechlorination when adding chlorinated water to a pond containing fish.

In climates with prolonged freezing, follow the pump manufacturer's winter-storage instructions. Our Elite Skimmer manual recommends removing the pump and storing it in a bucket of water where it cannot freeze. Rinse the skimmer mat and debris net and store them for winter.

During spring startup, reinstall the filtration components, inspect the skimmer and plumbing, and reconnect the pump according to the equipment instructions.

Keep these official resources available when planning, installing, maintaining, or winterizing your pond. The Elite Pond Water Garden guide covers complete pond systems and includes components sold separately from this individual skimmer.

Watch our Elite Skimmer installation overview for a visual introduction to positioning, plumbing, and installing the skimmer.

Official Blue Thumb video. Covers the Elite Skimmer product family; refer to the PB1137 specifications and installation manual for your exact model. Pumps and other pond-system components shown may be sold separately.

Our Sales/Tech Team can help you review your pond's dimensions, required water flow, pump compatibility, and installation layout before you order.

Have your pond dimensions and planned pump information available so we can help you choose the right components.

Our Medium Elite Skimmer is rated for ponds with a surface area of up to approximately 550 square feet, comparable to a 21' × 26' pond. Pump requirements also depend on pond volume, waterfall design, and the complete filtration system.

No. This is a standalone skimmer assembly. A submersible pump and its discharge plumbing must be selected separately. Confirm the pump's dimensions and intended operating flow before purchasing.

Yes. The Medium Elite Skimmer supports single- or double-pump configurations and provides two discharge locations. Confirm the combined system flow remains within the skimmer's rated maximum and that both pumps and plumbing assemblies fit inside the chamber.

The skimmer includes a pre-plumbed automatic-fill connection with a plug, but the automatic water-fill assembly is sold separately. The included overflow fittings also allow you to route excess pond water to a suitable drainage location.

Our installation manual gives approximately 10–14 days as a typical interval, but actual cleaning frequency depends on leaves, debris, fish load, and pond conditions. Check more frequently during fall leaf season or after storms.

Yes. Select either the Sandstone or Gray lid option before placing your order. One selected natural landscape lid is included with the skimmer.

The 10" Elite Skimmer uses the MT10GR replacement Matala mat and the NET10SK mesh debris net. Select the correct variation on the corresponding replacement-component product page.

Our Blue Thumb branded engineered plastic skimmer components carry a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects for the original purchaser, subject to the terms and limitations in our official warranty document. Proper installation according to the applicable manual is required. Pumps purchased separately carry their own product-specific warranties.