[tomphot]

I've had my pond about 10 years now that I think about it.

I have no filtration other than natural. The water recirculates through a bog area that's about 10' around and 2' feet deep filled with river sand and plants.

During the time I've had the pond, I have never had an algae bloom or parasite problem with any of the fish. I add some hydrogen peroxide every once and a while to get rid of string algae.

I used to cover it during the fall to keep the leaves out but now just leave it open.

Maintenance - 1 time a year, it gets completely drained - all the muck and leaves are cleaned out and the sides rinsed off. That's it - I might grab some of the dead plant foliage but most of it goes to the bottom and dealt with during the spring. I used to be much more anal about it but I've found that it really doesn't make much of a difference.

I have tons of life going on - the goldfish breed rabbits - I give away dozens of fish every spring during the clean-out. There are hundreds of tadpoles and lots of frogs - I'm told the frogs take care of their own population issue.
We have a 6' fence so we don't deal with other wildlife in the area.

I love the way the waterfall drowns out all the other noises in the area and all the bird life it attracts as well. This is one of the best things we have done to the house.