I loved reading this too! As a result of reading these tips and techniques years ago, we always make a 'filter box' from a plastic file folder type container with a handle lid, we've also used shorter ones depending on the pump size. I like for the box to be twice the size or better than the pump. I use hubby's hole saw attachment for the drill to create many holes all over the container, leaving the bottom and a couple of inches of the bottom sides undrilled. I buy the nylon netting in the fabric department at Walmart for maybe 79 cents a yard and wad that up in the bottom, place the pump inside and route your power cable and pump output through the holes in the top. Stuff another wad of the nylon netting over the top and close the box. Sink it into the pond and finish your plumbing. I place a pot of iris or a decorative rock on top to disguise the filter. I do the whole thing for $10 or $15. I do leave the foam filter in place to prevent the netting being sucked into the intake. If you have fish, I highly advise rinsing all of the materials (plastic box and netting) just to be safe.

eks6426, It depends on how much head your pump has and how high the bio falls will be. I figure your pond holds around 177 gallons. It would be a good idea to "up" your pond pump to turn-over at least once a hour. Remember the waterfall/ height/ and plumbing pieces/ pipe slow down the flow of water. The less water, the more drastic the effect by unhealthy conditions on your pond. Here is what I did for example, I set my dad up with a home depot bucket filter/ falls. I ran flex tube from pump to PVC pipe that runs down center of bucket and "T's" out at bottom of bucket. I filled the bucket with red lava rock (that was my choice, you could use scrubbies / etc.). two - three inches below rim made a hole for a piece of PVC to stick out to feed falls (which is upside down roof tile). I applied silicone to make the connection water-sealed. Plugged in the beckett pump and nothing happened. Turn out pump didn't have more than a three foot head; so down to the box store I went and got the next pump up the chain. Plugged it in and BAM - out comes the waterfall. I painted the pipe cammo and hid the pipe with plants. The pump is up off bottom (on a brick) and covered by rocks to conceal it. The pond went through a cycle, then cleared. A year later and the system is still going strong and his water is clear. I have a standing order to him to call when conditions change, that will be my indicator that the filter needs service and I'll wash it through. LP

it's been over a year now....towards the end of last summer the pond had two resident frogs, and then one much bigger resident frog. by late last fall my 55 gallon drum pond had an established residece of water fleas and other barely visible critters late in may my son and I found a quivering puddle of dying wood frog tadpoles in a just dried up vernal pool. we scooped them up and dumped them in the pond there appear to be larval insects down there now, at least ones big enough to kill and gut a tadpole, and now there is a graduating class of a few wood frogs each day (they come up and then split asap, perhaps because a big healthy water snake has also taken up lodging right next to the pond) all in all, it has come a long way in a year, and the bog garden i built last summer a few feet away is now an impenetrable mat of ferns and other plants will post photos

LP hit the nail on the head. It depends on what you want and what your equipment needs are. You will hear everything from turn it over twice an hour to turn it over every three hours or more. It depends on the ponder or equipment salesman. Just be careful because there is always someone wanting to lie to you and sell you their product guaranteeing results that you don't get and then saying hmmm it shoulda worked. Some are just outrageously deceitful knowing that many ponders order over the net and don't have much recourse. Here is a link that might be useful: My pond the way it was before the freeze.