Your problem may not be the water, but a lack of oxygen.

I prop the hose up and with a fine spray, spary over the surface of the
water for about 20 mins, every so often.

That makes a trenedous difference in conditions like you describe.

Good luck,

Keith

"Broadback" wrote in message
...
At the bottom of my rather large garden is a large natural pond. As with
much of the country we have not had rain here for some time. My water
butts are depleting rapidly so I am carting buckets of water up the garden
from the pond. Like most natural ponds it is rather mucky, I wondered if
there is a good pump that will deal with the muck, not requiring constant
clearing of the filter. Any suggestions please? as an alternative a yoke
for 2 buckets would be useful, but I cannot find a source, so any help
there would also be appreciated.