"John Bachman" wrote in message
...
Hi Chris,

You have an ambitious project there, to say the least. I will comment
on only one issue, the bio-filter, as I have a bit of experience
there.

You seem to be considering the bio-filter as a separate process and
are therefore troubled by the need to move the water through it. Yet,
you already plan on a stream. Why not put the bio-filter in the
stream?

That is what I did (much smaller pond) and it works great. I put a
wide spot, mini-pond if you will, in the stream and put lots of plants
such as a hyacinth in it. That is the only filter I have and my water
is crystal clear.

John

John,
Sounds like something I should be thinking of. I do have the area in the
pond itself for plenty of plant life, but the idea of mini-ponds in the
stream sounds like an excellent idea. More or less pools within the stream.
I am defiantly going to do some thinkin on this one. But then the questions
remains, do I need to run the stream 24/7? I think it would be less of a
concern with a nartural biofilter such as this, rather then a biofilter in a
barrel. Or am I wrong in this thinking?

Care to share the size of your pond and the flow rate for the stream? Would
help me along as well.

Thanks,
Chris