Basically, a skippy is an external filter that functions as BOTH a biological and mechanical filter. See the link below for details. I assembled my own, inexpensively I might add, with the guidance of everyone here. As I mentioned, my puddle is roughly twice the size of yours (actually it's three preforms strung together). Accordingly, my skippy is small. And small it may be, but it reduced my regular pond maintenance immeasurably! The short version is that I started with a lotus pot I got on clearance. Added the grate from Lowe's & a few short pieces of pvc pipe & fittings. Picked up some scrubbies at the dollar store along with some batting. Every year I sprig the top with cuttings from plants I already have which renders the skippy invisible...once the plants take off, it looks like a lucious container garden nestled next the pond and no one is the wiser:) My skippy is the simplest of the simple, no doubt, but it works! And it frees up space IN the pond plus cuts maintenace time beyond belief. Check out the link and if you're interested in my step-by-step details, I'll be happy to provide them. I don't have a lot to offer here in the big scheme of things but this is one lesson I learned well *chuckle* ~digger

I agree with Petco or Petsmart fish.. they stock a small aquarium with koi every so often and all of them die within weeks.. I pleaded with them to change the environment they put them in but I was ignored.. they are also domestic koi they are getting somewhere in the US.. In my other aquarium I have I bought a bunch of neons and the water or fish I bought ended up killing half my fish in my aquarium.. so always have to be careful what fish you add and any water as well.. a quarantine tank is a great thing but most dont have one..

It kinda depends on what you add to them, but salt is a preservative just by itself, so I'd assume bath salts would last for quite a long time depending on what you added to them, and bath fizzies will last well over a year, again, depending on what you put in them (I don't use much of these, so I have them for a long time - that's how I know). Teas would just be dried herbs and ingredients, right? I'd imagine they'd last just as long mixed together as they would in separate containers on your kitchen shelf... I personally think you'll be fine...best way to be sure is to make up a batch and store them - worst thing that will happen is you'll have to make more right before the show (which will happen if you don't make them early too)! :-)

Not luxury price wise but both my daughters love Dr. Teals bath products as they are not tested on animals. "Organic" is such a misused and unregulated term, it's hard to determine what is truly organic.