Filter help suggestions please!

Really nice, great pic (under filtration for those who couldn't find it).

I'll start doing my research into converting the small pond into a veggie
filter. I want to ensure that I don't have to purchase the plants again
next year from potential damage from freezing. unlike the big pond, the
small one completely freezes. My in-laws have a 30 acre cottage in Perry
Sound where there's a huge abundance of peat material with growing honey
dews and picture plants. These probably a few acres of this. Wondering if
I could utilize a few square feet of it on my filter. The lake freezes over
every year, but the plants come back after the spring thaw. Could this be
done? - Francis

Unfortunately bog plants or a "bog" won't do. What most articles call a
"bog" filter are really veggie filters. Bog plants prefer low pH. Iris can
take some freezing, especially the yellow flag. You want free flow thru
that veggie filter, not slow drip. Someone mentioned your pump was going
too fast, but I never saw (or missed it) how much water you were pumping?
Keep the box filter on until the veggie filter is up and running well. If
you don't have test kits to test your water, get some. ~ jan

~Power to the Porg, Flow On!~