On 7/5/04 5:42 PM, in article
, "~ jan JJsPond.us"
wrote:

We have a 210 GPH pump but we don't actually have a filter. I did place a
soft foam block over the intake and I clean it weekly -- it picks up a lot
of stuff. The water just goes up to the waterfall and back in. Pretty
elementary, I know.

To really know if your situation is working you would need a test kit for
at least ammonia & nitrite, the next 2 test kits I consider important are
pH & KH plus a thermometer.

Do I need a skippy filter or something?

No, nothing that drastic, but a flower pot filter would be perfect. You can
see 2 versions on my website by clicking *My Filter* and scrolling to the
bottom of the page, the one on the left is a factory made by Tetra, the one
on the right is homemade. I recently made my own for my lily pond, cost
under $15, not counting media, which can be cheap vinyl coated window
screening. On page 7, bottom right, of *My pond photos* is a recommended
way to encase your pump, instead of dealing with that little prefilter foam
you're cleaning weekly. Encasing it with mesh (do not leave the foam on)
will make it so you won't have to disturb the pump, and residents, in the
pond at all.

I thought I was good with the plants
and doing the water changes once a month.

You obviously have been, but your fish are growing and you want to prevent
"Critical Mass". That's when things go sour, fish get sick, half die while
you try to get things back to right again. This is where the test kits come
in. I highly recommend the tests kits from Aquarium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.,
very easy to use, and reasonably priced. So far the cheapest place to
purchase is thru www.thatpetplace.com Sometimes you can find them at a pet
store, if so, open the box, one of the bottles will have a manufacturing
date on the front label at the top. You want that date to be no later than
1/04, though they claim they're good for 2 years. The KHA program
recommends getting fresh kits every year. ~ jan

See my ponds and filter design:
http://users.owt.com/jjspond/

~Keep 'em Wet!~
Tri-Cities WA Zone 7a
To e-mail see website
Thank you, Jan, for such a thorough response! I have my work cut out for me.
I think they have the test kits at a local pet supply -- I've looked at
them, but didn't know what to buy. Now I do!

I get to working on a filter solution next.

Thank you again! You guys are so nice!

Angie -- newest member of the PORG collective