"WilsonKKW" wrote in message
...
I have heard of ponds that are with NO filter..any info
folks?

I have an in-ground pond about 200 gallons
with a few minnows and whatever else shows up
(tadpoles, birds, snakes, etc.). No filtration, lots
of plants, shaded (but enough sunlight for plants),
clear water. I'll do a partial water change & suck
junk off the bottom maybe once per season, else
top off with treated tap water or rain water.

One of my two stock tank (above ground)
ponds (110 gal.) also has a few minnows, lots of
plants, shaded, no filtration - crystal clear.

The other stock tank (150 gal) pond has goldfish,
plants, shade and filtration - not wanting to take a
chance with goldfish. But nothing fancier than
a good pump, bell fountain kit, homemade "filter"
(plastic crate w/ furnace filter & lava rocks
surrounding the pump). Last year (1st year
established) I was cleaning the filter about
once weekly. This year I've done it once and
I'm about to do it again. So - about once
every two months? I think it's working...

The goldfish pond water turned green with warmer
weather (Feb? March?) but after a couple of
months cleared up **all on its own**. g

I do get some string algae in two of the ponds
(in-ground & goldfish) but not enough to bother
me and I pull it out by hand or stick occasionally.

I'm really not into perfection. If the fish are
healthy, the plants are healthy, the water is
mostly clear - cool! That'll do.

Gail
near San Antonio TX