"BenignVanilla" wrote:

"Carola / Les" wrote in message
. ..
Depends upon your location and possibility of leaves etc getting into
the
pond. Also whether or not you have the time to physically remove leaves
on
a daily basis when they get in the pond.
I think you only need a bottom drain if the depth is greater than 2ft 6in.
At this depth you will be able to 'paddle' in the pond to remove debris
and
'vacuum' as required.
The depth also depends upon where you live. Most fish, including Koi, are
quite happy in 2ft of water providing you give them some kind of shelter
and
plants to hide in.
You only need a greater depth when there is extemes of temperature.

I am in MD, zone 6?, and am planning on a pond about 3 feet deep at the
deepest point. I like the idea of the bottom drain, I am not sure about the
skimmer yet. My pond location has a good potential for dropped leaves, so
the bottom drain will be important I think.

Go for both. It isn't that hard. Look on the web, you'll find lots of
diagrams of peoples pond plumbing.

In my latest re-build of my pond, I'll finally get there. That is why I
say it easier to do it right the first time.