I didn’t want a repeat episode of the skimmer but didn’t want to spend another $350 bucks. The Answer? Build a 2 x 4 girdle around a Sterilite storage bin.

I’ve read about down flow, upflow, no filter, veggie filter ponds. I decided on an upflow filter, using plastic ceiling light grid, vinyl fence post segments as support, deer netting and lava rock in laundry bags for easy cleaning. Will it work, does it work, is it big enough? Got me. The water is clear. I guess the first algae bloom is yet to come.

I’ve done what I think is a workable plumbing scheme that allows me to take the filter off line for cleaning and also adjust the flow through the system and the bypass.

I read that I’ve got to get some Microbe-Lift and I’ve also read about barley straw. Hmm...

7/28/01:Well, one of the things that just happened is that the water hyacinth and water lettuce in the upper pond is growing by leaps and bounds. I now have a veggie filter of sorts. I arranged the water hyacinth so that it prevented water lettuce from flowing over the weir and into the stream and except for gully washers that stir things up, the water is pretty clear and I never had that algae bloom that is supposed to be endemic to new ponds. pH is still 7.4, alkalinity is okay and all’s well.