I assume you're talking about the Oase Biotec 10.1. If so, I wouldn't recommend that one. Because of the design, you're limited to 3500gph pump, which isn't that much flow when it comes to waterfalls. The only filters I install on small backyard ponds are the Savio filters (because they work). If you're going to use a filter, I'd pair the Savio filter with a Savio full size skimmer and a 5000gph pump. Of course if you set up the upper pond correctly, you probably wouldn't need a filter. I'd still use the Savio skimmer on the pond, but if you set up the upper pond as an upflow filter, you should be okay. Be sure to use a check valve and set it up so you can drain the sludge from under the rocks. Basically you'd have to use something like milk crates on the bottom of the pond to raise the stones and gravel off the bottom and set up a drain under them. You'd need a check valve on the pipe from the pump, otherwise every time you shut off the pump, the water and sludge would get sucked back down into your lower pond. All things considered, it would be a lot easier and cheaper, if you consider what your time is worth, to just buy the Savio and plug that in. If you decide to go with a filter, I can get it for you cheaper then pondliner.com. Good Luck! Derreck

This is my second koi pond in 4yrs and Ive ask myself whats best for clearing up the water from a dirty light brown silt look. Pond is 9'x10' and 42" deep. apx 900gallons. Well water only very soft and clear from the tap. All was working great until I added some brown clay dirt to my lilly pots. Then a day later the water went light brown with about 4inch of visibility. Its been this way for about 2months now. Tried removing the dirt from pots but koi did it for me. I have a 800gal pump with pressurize filter and 15watt uv cleaned every 2wks. PH is little high but treat with acid weekly if needed. 6 - 12" koi all doing great. Ive dropped the water twice by 30% and filled again but cant clear it. Added 2 dose of bio-clarifier but nothing Added a sludge remover but nothing I do see a thick muddy look on the liner bottom so thinking about trying to vacuum it out as I think the koi sucked up the dirt looking for food. Just surprised it hasn't settled. My only other thought is I noticed Robarb Spa Super Blue Water Polisher for pools. It says Non-Toxic Biodegradable. Its some polymer for use in drinking water according to EPA Link: http://www.poolstore.com/store1/welcome.html?chemicals/Robarb/SpaSuperBlue/index.html I just dont know if this is bad for the koi. I would think in a very small dose it would be ok considering if you can swim and risk drinking it from a pool.

It was probably some type of mammal that caused your large koi to go missing. It could have been a heron or there is a slight chance they were eaten by a water snake if you live near water. Only water snakes and garter snakes would go after fish. There's probably at least 4 species of nonvenemous water snakes in GA plus the water mocassin. They're much better at catching frogs than healthy good size fish. A her0n though would have no problem.

You can... and imho should.... periodically remove the debris from the bottom and clean the filters without destroying the bacteria. Just dont scrub hard and dont use any chlorinated water, or any type of cleanser and certainly not bleach. A bucket of pondwater and scrub brush work fine. if its matala pads just bang them on a rock to shake out the sludgy stuff. You want to keep the filters clear so that they dont plug up and block the flow and so that they can keep filtering out the fine debris. Bacteria also live on the walls of the pond and in the tubing so periodic removal of debris is not going to harm anything. Fish helping to clear layer of dirt and debris??? That makes no sense at all -t hey are not going to eat it, only contribute more poop (ie organic matter). If the pond looks reasonably clear and tests well now with all the organic stuff in it, that will definitely change with the addition of fish and their waste to your bioload. Glad to hear youll only put in 2 koi bc thats about right, any more would be too many. The guy who gave you that advice - I wonder if its an Aquascape store bc that is a particular method of ponding that relies on using their products and using their chemicals at particular times of the year. Guess it works for some people, but the problem Ive found isif they seem to be unaware of other methods of ponding and make these pronouncements that can have dire consequences if you arent following their method or have adequate equipment/filtration. Almost killed my fish once following their advice which was to just ignore the build up of debris and nitrates and just use one of their sludge removal products .... once I got a clue and put in adequate bio & mechanical filtration ev has been just fine.