I am a great fan of streams. I believe mine does all of my filtering. I don't actually know that spilling is helping but in any of your cases, all you could have is flowing as a mechanism for cleaning/filtering. Anyway, I don't have a specific solution for you, but I want to add to your thoughts. I suspect that the double piping may be your solution. It would be a 4 'bottom drain' connection! However, it seems to me that mixing method 2 with glue would give you what you are looking for. Admittedly, I have little faith in sealing liners either, but to the extent that you believe in plan 2, the glue would give a semi-seal and prevent movement that might make the weight theory succeed. I"M Still with plan 1. Thinking about plan 3: It seems to me that a single linear rubber clamp is just as good as the square or circle. neither one of us knows what that would be but it simplifies things a bit. I do have one goofy idea that you might think about and mix in. I wanted to suggest a clamp that didn't involve screws with MORE holes. My thought is to cut a slit lengthwise in some pvc pipe, wedge it open, and slip it over the sealed pieces of liner or rubber additions. Perhaps one could use more flexable roll tubing to curve up edges. That black underground tubing is very stiff and still give a spring clamping effect. I'm still with number 1. I suppose my plan would be different from yours only in calling that stream an Inlet not an outlet. I'd put a big pump in the big pond and pump the water to the far end of the stream that would then 'flow' back thru the stream and pipes.

If the lilies are kept wet, like moving them to a tub of water, they should survive the disturbance, blossoms intact. I have received water lilies from sellers that had blossom buds on them,a nd when I planted them and put them in water, the blossoms did open, so I wouldn't worry too much about that if you keep them from drying out and avoid shocking them too much. You can thin out pretty much any plants at pretty much any time. Most are quite adaptable, and recover quickly. You might be able to get a lot of the debris off the bottom with a fine mesh pond or pool net. I personally don't like anacharis. I just don't like the look of it. However, if you put koi in there, the koi will likely eat it as they get bigger, so they will keep it thinned for you. Koi love "salads", LOL. If the bullfrogs are eating your young koi, either relocate the frogs or get bigger koi. I don't allow bullfrogs in my pond. They're native, so they can be relocated to lakes and wild ponds with no repercussion.

Asking this group is a good idea. In Austin, there is a pond society. I would look for something like that and then collaborate with them as to who is good at keeping ponds in your area. They will also be able to give you specific advice for your area. (I'm in Austin -- so, for me to offer advice I think would be silly). Go to the local pond stores and chit-chat with them about their beliefs as far as what should be done and who can do it. You might also go to some of the more pond oriented fish stores. In my own pond, I do not have UV. I have only a bio filter and balance: snails, underwater grasses, plants, and fish. I got most of my ideas from reading the Lilypons web site. If the water is clear, then it seems like the UV filter is big enough and everything is working fine. I've heard not to put gravel because it makes cleaning such a pain. And it seems like 30", even in your area, is deep enough for fish. From what I've read, a good mucking out each year is good to do. I've cleaned my pond often but that was because it was still under construction and not balanced. I plan to clean it next spring but we'll see what actually happens. I'm not sure if this helps. I'm curious what others have to say and suggest.

Craig, Thanks for the reply. all my goldfish died last winter :( > My pond is 3000 - 3500 gallon 20 x 12 foot oval pond 2.5 inches deep. I never had to use anything over the winter. no cover, deicer, aerator - nothing. every year the fish were still alive and happy. Then last years Im still searching for the best reliable deicer, pond breather and or livestock tank heater etc. i can buy for total of $250 -300. This year, i spent the last 3-weekends building a 20 ft x 14 ft wood frame over the pond with 2x4 and 2x2. I then raised it 20âÂÂâ high using 2 x4. I bought some hanging brackets for some of the 2x4 for additional support. I created 2 (for now T expanding gutter vents with 45 degree 4â wide ends to add more ventilation to pond. They are supported with 2â pvc pipes hammered into the ground (NOT YET IN GROUND ) I only have a net over the pond right now. I will cover with plastic and tarp. I saw home depot has large styrofoam sheets for about $11 which i am going to try to place between plastic with a garden tarp cover over part of the frame at night / heavy snow - frigid temps. when it is sunny out i ll just keep the plastic on to try to create the greenhouse effect. BTW I absolutely loved the pondexpert covers but they were over my budget as i need to still buy a deicer, stock tank heater, pond breather / aerator. My dad has several of thees steel pipes already but they are really heavy that i feared they would collapse if i alone installed them without concrete or something similar. iâÂÂm sorry to hear you experienced the winter pond deicer problems as well. did you go with the pondexpert cover?⦠Sam ..