Hi Brian, I'm glad you went with the bigger pump. That's what I have on my pond, and it's functional. The frogs will come, even in the midst of downtown LA. There are about a billion gajillion of them in the LA river. I live in the center of suburban Simi Valley, which has no natural streams, no ponds or lakes, and Pacific tree frogs mysteriously appear out of nowhere. I think this may be part of the origin of the raining frogs myth. It's strange. You can also collect Pacific Tree frog tadpoles within the next three months and add them to your pond once it gets going and you have some algae for them to eat. I once collected some from a truck rut filled with water at a local plant nursery. I suggest you go to a koi site to see how much of a committment they are. Goldfish are really spectacular, and they do not need great water quality. They will beg for food from you, swim across the pond to greet you, and follow along as you walk along the edge of your pond. They are great pets. You should not change the water in your pond if your filtration and circulation are adequate, at least not for a long time. When you get your first algae bloom this summer and the pond turns into pea soup RESIST the urge to change the water. The algae will use up all of the nutrients, then it will die, leaving your pond clear. If you change the water you have to start all over again. To start off, you can treat your water with de-chlorinator, after a few days add your plants, and wait a few more days to add your goldfish. You can buy cheap small fish; they grow fast. Finally, plant your hardy water lilies in a nice, large container so they can grow. Don't worry about the dirt in the bottom of the pond unless there's a really measurable amount, like 1/8 inch across the whole bottom. Here's a link explaining the Sunset Zones. Have fun with your new pond, and post photos when it's done! Renee Here is a link that might be useful: Sunset Garden Zones

Greetings fellow dirt lovers. I have the opposite of a green thumb. Orange? Black? Not sure but, I was lucky enough to grow up on Hawaii where the gardens simply grew all around me. I never put a thought into how they got or stayed there. I moved to the mainland when I was 17 so never had my own garden. Now, as an adult, living in northern California (I think it's zone 9? Not sure...Humboldt County), I have NO idea how to grow anything with gusto. Well, I may have gusto, but, my poor flowers usually only make it a few months at their best. I am lucky, lucky, lucky enough to have inherited a beautiful garden with the home we bought last summer. Roses in the front walk, Lillys, tulips, daisy's, and....ummm....many others that I have no idea the name of. I have many questions, but, my first begins with::::::WEEDS. When we bought the house, it was pristine, of course. Now, fall has fallen, winter has frozen, and spring has sprung. The lilly's and roses and flowering vines are SO beautiful. And surrounded with weeds. How can I deal with a full acre of this without breaking my back?

Another PIA for sure. I've had challenges with having to sign in after every post, missing scrollbars, pop ups, and slow loading pages. I get the ads for revenue but I'd rather pay to post like some have mentioned. If we have to have the ads so be it I guess. Just wish the pages loaded faster like they use to....with or without all the ads. : ) David

I'm so sorry. But this too shall pass and your home will ultimately be wonderful. Ditto what others have said. I would add to that, going forward DOCUMENT EVERYTHING IN WRITING: the ridiculous explanation ("Joe Installer explained to me that the framers should have built the base 1/2" less than specified in the specs but also noted that the framers would have had no way of knowing this..."), and every further conversation and discussion with the framers, installer, etc. Visibly take notes during your next meeting with Joe Installer and write down your questions and his answers and explanations. Ask him to read, date and countersign said notes when your discussion is over. If you are concerned about how a discussion will go, ask a neighbor or friend to be with you during the discussion. The purpose of this friend or neighbor is not just moral support and watching the kiddos, but he/she will stay within earshot and you will also ask her/him to sign your notes as a witness, in front of Joe Installer. This is particularly important if, for example, Joe Installer declines to sign himself. If nothing else, seeing this the subcontractors will begin to take you more seriously and pay extra attention. If needed, these documents will be extremely helpful if you do have to take legal action to get this resolved without paying for a re-do. Been there, done that (not in my current remodel, thank goodness), it works. IMHO, no b-ness is required. You have the facts and logic in your favor. Combined with a calm, no-nonsense, professional manner you will make him see that the only acceptable choice is for him/his firm to eat the cost of redoing it correctly. Looking forward to hearing about your successful resolution of this!