Hi Frank, The filter I have is the kind that the pump goes inside it. It comes with the filter media and some plastic things for the bacteria to live in. Just set the pump inside the filter box, place the plastic things on top, put in the media, and close the lid. Drop slowly into the pond. As I said earlier though, I cut a piece of pond underlayment to fit, and sandwiched it between the 2 filter pads it comes with. To me, the holes were just too big to filter out really fine silt. The pump will dictate the size of the hose. The hose on mine is 5/8'. It's black, and in the pond sections at the hardware stores. Comes in 20' sections. about $9.00. The link at the bottom is the Beckett page, and the filter I have is the 2nd one on the list, which comes with the 325 pump. I think I remember seeing the whole thing for about $119.00(HD). Lowe's has the same thing, under a different name though. Just make sure to match up the size of hoses while you're there, because the pump hose fittings are all different. I had the smaller pump/kit until I expanded my pond, and changed out the pump for the 325 gph. You could put a valve in, but I don't know if you will find that easily. But that would be great if you did. I had a hard time finding anything in 5/8' in black, but if yours will be hidden, it doesn't matter if it's black or not. My T is a 1/2', connected under water, with the 5/8' hose, very very tight, with a black cable tie. If you use a cable tie, make sure it's really tight, or water will leak out, and you will lose flow. You can use a metal hose clamp, but eventually they rust. I'm actually taking out one of the waterfalls this weekend, because I want to put in a bog shelf across one end of the pond. My pond is only about 3' wide, so I need to make the most of it. I consider my pond more of a water garden/water feature, so I have the water flow really scaled back, because it does splash out, and it's next to a cracked tiled patio, which has grout.(water splashes out-grout gets green) It's as big as it's ever going to get though, because it's wedged in a corner, in the ground, inside a 40X18' screened enclosure. Believe me, you will change/expand this no matter what, several times down the road, if you're able, because once you have a pond, you'll want it bigger. ;-0) Here is a link that might be useful: Pond filter

I didn't know carpet was free. I need about 200 sq.ft. LOL where do I pick it up? Seriously, underlayment was relatively inexpensive when I purchased it for my pond. That was a while ago, but I'm sure it's still reasonable. I was more concerned with rocks and roots tearing the sides of the pond liner. I think the underlayment fabric is superior on the ledges and plant shelves. I was also concerned with carpet riping, or becoming unwoven. Especially if your piecing it together. My pond liners extends well beyond the water level and my underliner extends beyond the rubber pond liner. That's the area I would worry about mold.

The suspended algae might or might not be caused by the fertilizer. Sometimes there is just the right amount of nutrients and light in a pond to make it go green. This is especially true of new ponds and ponds that have just been through a spring cleanout. I just put a new liner in my pond this spring, resulting in thick pea soup algae. I struggled with it for weeks, fussing and fretting about the fact that my pond is on a tour this weekend and I didn't want my guests and potential new ponders to be turned off by the nasty looking water. Finally, even though I'm not an advocate of putting additives in the pond, I bought a product called "Eco-Floc" and added it to the water. Within minutes, I coudl see the suspended particles binding together. To avoid having this stuff go to my filter, where it would rot and cause another algae bloom, I wrapped quilt batting around my skimmer mat to catch it. I had to rinse it out every couple of hours that first day, but the pond cleared up completely overnight. And to keep it clear, I bought a U.V. Clarifier. I know that's a dirty word to some, but I like to see my fish. The water is now gin clear and I'm ready for the tour.

Hi next time you need to buy some ,more media you might try a type of clay called Turface. The big difference is the stuff is fired in a kiln makes it almost insoluable . There is also a very high fired type called Leca this will never break down in water. It could easily be used again but is expensive. Another choice is granite sand .This also holds up but is difficult to wash. I find I have to repot in the spring anyway even if the media hasn;t disintegrated the plants have way over grown. Turface is actually cheaper than cat litter, as is Oil Dri. gary