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Pump and Filter
Pumps are an easy subject:
you need one to help circulate the water. The best advice is to get a pump that
is capable of "turning the water over" once an hour. If your pond is 300 or so
gallons, buy a 300 gallon per hour pump. Approximate pond sizes are always on
the pump box. Pumps are usually used to pump the water through a waterfall,
fountain, filter or some combination. The waterfall or fountain is key as it
injects more oxygen into the pond.
Filters are a bit more involved. You can buy a sealed biological
filter from the store for about $150 or you can build one for about $20. It's
easy. You will need some 1/2" PVC piping, the necessary solvents to weld it,
some hose clamps, silicone sealant, lava rocks, garden hose and a tub of some
sort. I used a rubbermaid tub but I've also used large plastic pots (terracotta
lookalikes) to do the job. The pot or tub can be installed on top of the ground
and concealed or you can dig a hole and put it in the ground (but slightly above
the level of the pond). If you put the tub above ground, you can build a
waterfall but you will have to mound dirt around it to help conceal it. After
you are finished, make sure you plant grass to hold the dirt in place. If you
dig a hole for it, you can simply have the water run back into the pond. Decide
which you are going to do now and place the tub.
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