Since skunks are mostly nocturnal--I think--is it possible he was/is sick? Often, there are articles about avoiding animals who are usually wary of humans, but suddenly aren't, since they may be rabid. Of course, under most circumstances one would be careful around a skunk. Though I understand they make great pets, if *deskunked*. There is a *resident* skunk in our neighborhood. Sometimes in the very early morning, when he goes out to get the paper, DH will notice that he's passed thru! In fact, one morning, recently, he thought it was a cat poking our trash bag, but it was the skunk. He wasn't afraid--the skunk--but ambled into a nearby drain pipe. Since then, we don't put our trash on the street till the morning it's picked up. Safer, that way!

Hi, I've found all of the info here quite useful! A friend was helping me construct a pond and waterfall. he dug the hole but I wawnt to make it larger (3 feet deep by appx 8 x 12now or smaller I forget). I obtained everything I had needed so far gratis eg lots of boulders and slate, even fine pebble which I am rading might not be any good to use (blck and very fine like for aquariums), als bricks and concrete blocks, etc, for edgdes. Had to remove some so cn use thoes around sides. Anyway, we had to abandon the project when my friend went for medical treatment; besides it was cold then. Thought we would pick up the project in the spring but my friend left treatment and I can't locate him. There is no way I can do this project being a woman of chronic illness and pain..lots. I can't afford a landscapre so I really don't know what is goign happen here. But in case we manage to find help and finish the project, a rew questions: We piled up the dirt where the waterfall would be but am now wondering why as we need to pile rocks and slate for that right? Not a 3-4 foot pile of dirt..what use would it be? So should I get rid of it and should I leave any kind of mound for teh waterfall? I've not ordred anything else for it yet. Am wondering if sand is or is not a good idea to place under the underliner as we have had problems with horrid bamaboo in tht area; my Dad had to have it dug over 4 foot deep and ccovered wiht thick black cloth..now I;m digging thru it to plant etc. once in a while a root pops up butI handle them. There is a wall of ivy nearby so those roots are also underground... I have a neibhbors HUE elm tere partially overhanging in the area but not directly over pond; nevertheless it has caused me so much grief in teh past with its saplings I can;t even describe it. Thousands of them in every single pc of my property which is 2 lots there. So as far as underling Ithink its a must, what kind is best for me? I don;t want any mold. Would carpeting have eto be outdoor type? I need to find someone to make the hole about a foot or so larger to maaybe 12 by 16 and 3 deep. I also need advice on what do get as far as equipment although I have read alot, still need advice. Pump, how to actually construct that wterfall as I want it high and wide as possle..there is an electrical outlet nearbby on my old brick furnace..where can i find out abotu in ground drains and cost etc. I won;t be adding fish yet so do I need a motility thingy/ What else, a filter...any help woud be appreciated even as far as if you know anyone who might be interestedin helping me build for a good price. My last landscaper took me for every penny at the lat minute and like a food O paid him; then he dudg up and tossed out 100-200 rock cress spreading plants. I nearly died but discoveredit too late..He doesn;t know his job and took advantage of me which is easy to do financially. My birder left wtih 2 mos rent and my saw, tools, even coat and uggs! Andmoney which is why I;m in a slump financially but determined to get this done. The upkeep may be hard but Ise the glass half full. Do not have a clue how much ponds cost to run and have never ever thought of that befoer I started the project. Sorry for the length..am excited to have found peopel to discuss gardenign with already. Any repluy to any part of the post will be appreciated.

Hi scottspond, some how didn't think she would, Florida vs Manchester, no contest really ;-) The area I live in is New Mills, in High Peak in Derbyhsire. If it doesn't ring a bell, it's just past Lyme park, Buxton is about 2 miles away, Stockport 9 miles and Manchester 20 miles (all via road) Handily the railway station is about 5 mins away from my home, so trips to Manchester are pleasent through the countyside and don't require I use the car ;-) And in summer I get to hop on the odd steam trian, every boys dream. My Mancunian mates reckon I've gone "all posh" living here, as I was born and grew up in Fallowfield and went to school in Rusholme. Regards ChrisC.

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