Hahahaaa! Maybe I AM trying too hard! Thanks for your responses, clarke and catherinet--I appreciate it. My filter surrounds my pump, which is at the same end of the pond as the falls (made out of rocks--the black rubber tubing from the pump to the rocks makes the waterfall). I did put an aerator at the other end a couple weeks ago--made for ponds, two small air stones and a little pump. Makes some good bubbles. My waterfall was going so slowly one day that the poor fish were sucking at the surface. I poured a half bottle of hydrogen peroxide in and pulled the pump and filter and cleaned it as quick as I could. That's when I bought the aerator. I will try the elodea as well. Poor fish. I get string algae on the rocks. Sometimes a lot, I guess--I clean it off and it comes back. It doesn't ever completely cover the rocks. Who knows how much is down in the pond--have not seen the bottom for some time. The filter around the pump is the only one currently. I was thinking about a biofalls but I haven't seen one for a small pond like mine. If I wrap the pump in QB, and then maybe keep the box filter as a bio filter, not putting the pump in there, would that be sufficient? Would it slow the pump down to a crawl? The water not being clear bugs me, but I am really concerned about the fish and the frog who lives there too. Thanks all. -Jo

I am a newbie, my interest in hydroponics began 4 weeks ago when I was given an assignment in a classes at the Community College. We were told to use what was available to us and not to go out and buy something. I did some research and decided to try and grow some vegetables using hydroponics. I built an ebb and flow system which turned out great no problems. I also built a NFT system using 2 old rain gutters to grow different varities of lettuce. I like the idea of the 5 gal buckets for individual plants what type of system are you using in those?I haven't planted tomatoes yet, I didn't have room for them. I think I'd like to use the 5 gal buckets can you e-mail me the info. donnie1354@hotmail.com

I think you're talking about the one in the attached link? We got a 7-bar version years ago and, I have to say, they're really good to use. Too bad we couldn't find another one. Here is a link that might be useful: IKEA towel holder

Our gas pipe situation was similar to yours, so I installed a shorter nipple on the gas pipe to get the 90 degree bend snug to the wall. And when the gas valve is in the on position in line with the pipe the total distance the stove sits off the wall is only 1.5 inches, and we're willing to live with that small concession. Just screw on the gas flex line, plug in the electric cord, and shove it in until it stops. The range is zero clearance to the side cabinets with no heat issues.