Pond completely clean! Couple questions on next steps

[Grove]

Pond is completely empty and all rocks/plants/sludge have been removed - what a job!

Underneath the waterfall I removed a lot of big rocks and it looks like there's a flat pocket directly underneath. Any idea why that's there? Should I pile some rocks back there again?

This is one of two plant pockets on the opposite side of the pond. I'm thinking of converting these into big filters, this is the other one:

I realized today probably the most obvious bog filter would be the little pool at the top of the waterfall it's about a foot deep but I don't have a good pic.

Next steps are to get those bog filters in with a foot of 3/8 pea gravel and piping in there, replace all the old brittle plastic tubing with stronger rubber tubing, replace the pump, and replace the older plants around the edge and plant some new ones.

Let me know if I'm on the right track! I'm flying by the seat of my pants here so any tips/advice would be very appreciated.

 

[Lisak1]

I'm going to guess the area under the waterfall was a small pool for the water to cascade into.

You're doing great! What a lot of work!

 

[GBBUDD]

Don't know why it was built but i can guess what it will do and that is to airate the water and not just let is speed away from the falls this will also make for a deeper sound to the falls.

 

[addy1]

Was it full of rocks before? They may have had the waterfall hit the rocks to increase the sound of the falls.

 

[Grove]

Yes it was right full of rocks. So if I want less noise I should leave it empty?

 

[GBBUDD]

Yes it was right full of rocks. So if I want less noise I should leave it empty?

THATS ONE WAY TO DO IT OR WIDEN THE FALLS

 

[addy1]

Yes it was right full of rocks. So if I want less noise I should leave it empty?

Yep the more rocks the water hits on the way to the pond the louder the noise.