Hi rhke, Firstly, let me point out, it's a gravity fed system, The filter tubs are level with the pond. The water in the tubs is at the same level as the water in the pond. We did three tubs, however one big tub would work as well. You could divide it into sections with a few layers of various filter mats and or quilt batting to filter and trap the fish waste so that it does not re-enter the pond. The pumps are at the end in the last tub, the electric lines are extended outside, and plugged into an outside outlet post near the tubs. The tubs are located behind the big waterfall and covered with the rubbermade tops. here is a diagram... Here is a link that might be useful: Even more diagrams and instructions.

If you are planning perrenials in between, you more or less have to leave the room as the daylilies will crowd out the other flowers. This only works in all daylily sections in my opinion. I didn't crowd them like this in my mixed beds but instead spaced them far apart and put in annuals in between. But you could do them in clusters and later when they fill in too much you could move the middle one. This is just my idea and the close spacing goes against conventional wisdom. I have been gardening for a very long time and beaking the rules most of that time. You should see my rose gardens. Planted really, really close and some I have had that way for 4 years already. Needs more plunning but works for me. My yard is also not big and I refuse to waste space.

This country is so into an over abundance of laws in all areas of modern life. It is becoming impossible to be a law abiding person. We can't keep track of them all. I just learned that it was $150 fine for not turning ones brights off accidently. This concept of changing to a white list was supposed to be for nurseries shipping in and out between Canada and the USA. All natives were not on the white list. So there was to be no trade of native between countries. What was weird about that white list was that Whole plant families were Xed off of the White list for no reason at all and only 12th of known plants were on it. It had only the normal trade type plants and nothing very unusual. I took Sally Waszowskis book on gardening with Texas natives and over 2/3 of the plants mentioned were not on the list. I looked and many invasives were on the list. It was crazy. I am amazed that this concept of White list versus Blacklist is becoming the norm. One gets lost in the detail and can not focus on the true problem plants. I am really concerned that I won't be allowed to grow my natives. It was not originally to be turned on the populous but be a import export vehicle. A way to control the professional growers. I agree, it seems so arbitrary , so draconian and unenforceable. We are now all possible criminals. Guilty till proven innocent. That Ruella (chi Chi ) is a monster. I got hit in the I eye by some seeds. I won't be sad to see that one go. Some plants should have warning labels. The fact that we make plants illegal that are inhabitants of this world shows how nuts we have gotten.

The fountain is a lovely focal point for your yard. I have a friend with a large pond and waterfall and it is wonderful but a huge amount of work. It's always something! They have numerous Koi and goldfish which produce new babies every year. Not long ago the pond attracted a heron or egret who decided it looked like a nice dinner spot. And the leaves need to be fished out and algae needs to be dealt with often. Another time the fish got sick from some parasite. And and and... Yes, a fountain offers all the ambient water sounds with much less trouble.