I did pipe boot connections on my retrodrain through the wall of the pond. Didn't make my hole as large as what Horton suggested--only 1/2 the diameter of whatever size pipe. Most recent was 3" and made a 1 1/2" hole in the centre of where I wanted the pipe. The liner stretches but it takes strong fingers. Easy to do and as far as I know no leaks. Curious why aren't you looking at external pumps for your pond? They are more energy efficient, easy to winterize. I have a priming pot on both of mine even though they are below ground but had a problem with quilt batting getting wrapped around the impeller of the older pump before using a priming pot. I have a Sequel 4350GPH pump that is very quiet uses 175W. This year I plumbed this pump to my sc and the old pump (Sequence 750 4200GPH but only pumping about 1/2 of that due to bent shaft) to my skimmer. I probably don't need both pumps as also changed my waterfall out this year so is smaller. The Sequence is noisy and leaks a little on start up around the shaft. Long story short I love the external pumps. Aquaart carries good external pumps and also the bottom drain that is mentioned either here or other forums. I also like the skimmer--it collects alot of surface stuff like dust! In the fall I run my pond on the skimmer only so that I can remove my drains (have a midwater drain now which is also awesome) before the water gets too cold. Like Horton my pumps/sc are hidden under a deck. Two pummps might be an idea for your pond as you need less flow through your biofilter and more flow through your waterfall. One idea I saw here if you only use one pump and need the circulation (in your case at least 5000GPH) was to pump part of the water back into the main pond and the rest through the biofilter/stream. Aquaart has a diagram of how to do this. As for valves depends on if you have a drain on you skippy filter etc. I have a knife valve between pond and sc on the bd but on the midwater drain which also goes into sc I don''t--I use a standpipe. After skimmer and sc 2" ball valves--I know could have used knife valves there but ball valves are more reliable. My check valves are after the pump but before the ball valves to the waterfall filters. This is to keep the water from the waterfall filters coming back down through the pump and into the pond if power goes off which it does here frequently. Because I have priming pots, sc and skimmer I don't need check valve before the pump. Can't remember when you need check valve before the pump--sorry. Ball valves after the check valves to control flow to filters. I know that I could get away with running one pump now due to the changes I made in adding a midwater drain to my sc (had alot of draw down!) and waterfall changes as the valve on my Sequel pump to higher waterfall is turned down more than 1/3rd. It's just time consuming and more pipe to change it out again. I don't know if you are allowed to use ABS in the US. I use it here as fittings are available and it stands up to my climate. Also because it's black any pipework in the pond lie retro bd don't show as much. You have a fun project on your hands! It can get rather overwhelming but there are many knowledgable people on this forum who can help you. Good luck. Patti

a good rule of thumb is an inch of fish to a gallon of water. not including fish like goldfish or catfish...or other fish that can get very large. you have enough room for 4 inches of small fish. or one mollie also it's best to keep bettas by themselves, other fish stress them out usually. mollies are pretty hardy in my experience and also can be very aggressive...they may have actually bullied him to death. i actually gave my mollies away for this reason, usually females act like they own the tank. i do 1/5 water change once a week. and every 2 weeks or so a 1/2 good cleaning. but hey at least you're changing it...i'd just take out alittle more. a four gallon tank is absolutely perfect for a single betta

I ordered my first clematis this spring from NatureHills Nursery, a jackmanii. It was my first time ordering from them. I was so excited when my two bareroots arrived in late March. I put them in two different areas in my yard--one growing up the post from an old clothes line and one growing up under the deck of my kids treehouse. Both plants began growing leaves right away, and I anxiously awaited the first vining and buds. Imagine my surprise when the plant continued to get bushier and bushier, and then to grow big round lacy leaves like a mum. It turns out that it isn't a clematis at all--although it was labelled jackmanii. I still have no idea what it is. I contacted the nursery and they told me that if they have another one in stock they will send it out. I'm still waiting to hear back from them. Soooo, I'm not quite sure what the moral of my story is....just a word of warning against that particular nursery, I guess. It was probably an innocent mistake, but I'm still pretty hot about it, as I have lost 2 months worth of growing time now on a real clematis.

Ruh Roh! macv is right. Point out that there is an issue & let GC propose solution. In the meantime, suggestions are most welcome so that we are informed decision makers when the solution is presented. macv - yes, copper would have been lovely, but not sure that it was budget friendly. I'm not sure the other standard colors would have worked & didn't really think of painting. worthy - double "ruh roh"! Uh, I guess when it is pouring down rain the little doggies will first experience a "waterfall" effect before they get to the grass. Or, we let then out through the screened porch or garage. crud. bdpeck - I assume you are just a few hours north of us in Charlotte. I thought that ice would be more than just a once a year problem in the Upstate. I'm having such a tough time wrapping my head around what our climate will be like. After 20 years in Houston, I'm sure it will be freezing cold to me, but then I have to tell myself that is just won't be like NJ winters. Thanks - Jo Ann