Hi folks,
In my introduction I posted some details about my pond (https://www.gardenpondforum.com/thr...-it-came-with-a-pond-now-im-pond-crazy.30797/) and now it’s time for me to make some real progress on improving the situation for my little critters.
I reached out to a few local pond companies and while they’ve all been fairly helpful, their service contracts are crazy, their suggestions for equipment are not wonderful, and I get the feeling with a few of them that they’re focusing on continuing to sell me stuff, over making it the best pond it could be (which is not surprising and admittedly I get why they’d do so). So I’m going to do it myself!!!
First plan is to give it a hardcore clean, add some more aeration and work out what’s going on with the current pumps / etc… so I’ll be emptying it and moving the fish to an intex pool for a few days but during this I have some time to do filtration improvements. I’ve got a big bio load by the look of it and they’ll need the help!
My first question seems to be should I buy a filter (throw money at my problems) or build out a bog filter? I could pick up a nexus automatic easypod, an oase screenmatic, etc… and punt on this problem for a few months / a year or so… until I go off to build the new pond. The bog filter means I’ll have to dig out and do some manual labour but everyone seems to love them here?
Question 1.5… I could also do something like a RDF for pond 2, and then use it for pond 1 in the meanwhile …?
My second question is about the skimmer. My current skimmer is all bent, old looking, and I suspect also needs a replacement (and a larger opening probably). Does this forum have a favourite skimmer? Anything I should be concerned about when replacing a skimmer?
In my introduction I posted some details about my pond (https://www.gardenpondforum.com/thr...-it-came-with-a-pond-now-im-pond-crazy.30797/) and now it’s time for me to make some real progress on improving the situation for my little critters.
I reached out to a few local pond companies and while they’ve all been fairly helpful, their service contracts are crazy, their suggestions for equipment are not wonderful, and I get the feeling with a few of them that they’re focusing on continuing to sell me stuff, over making it the best pond it could be (which is not surprising and admittedly I get why they’d do so). So I’m going to do it myself!!!
First plan is to give it a hardcore clean, add some more aeration and work out what’s going on with the current pumps / etc… so I’ll be emptying it and moving the fish to an intex pool for a few days but during this I have some time to do filtration improvements. I’ve got a big bio load by the look of it and they’ll need the help!
My first question seems to be should I buy a filter (throw money at my problems) or build out a bog filter? I could pick up a nexus automatic easypod, an oase screenmatic, etc… and punt on this problem for a few months / a year or so… until I go off to build the new pond. The bog filter means I’ll have to dig out and do some manual labour but everyone seems to love them here?
Question 1.5… I could also do something like a RDF for pond 2, and then use it for pond 1 in the meanwhile …?
My second question is about the skimmer. My current skimmer is all bent, old looking, and I suspect also needs a replacement (and a larger opening probably). Does this forum have a favourite skimmer? Anything I should be concerned about when replacing a skimmer?