A Snake in a Pond and Good Pond Water Filter

Tony,
I am really learning a lot from your e-mails!!! What a great resource for information. Anybody interested in receiving emails can opt-in at my main website Practical Water Gardens
My husband and I are novice pond keepers. Last year we were getting ready to spend a fortune on a pond filter. Someone gave us an idea to save us some money.
We purchased a 100 gallon container and filled it 3/4 of the way with lava rock, running our line from the pump on the bottom. We added moss and water hyacinths on the top. We cut 2 holes in the top front of the container and used PVC pipe to let the water drain over a rock back into the pond to provide aeration. We surrounded the container on the outside with rock. It does a really great job!! Our pond was totally green and in just 3 days it was crystal clear!!!
I was wondering how often we needed to change the lava rock and if there was anything else we might need to do. If we don't have a problem with algae, should we still get a UV filter? And, I read in your last e-mail that ponds shouldn't have a flat surface on the bottom, which ours does. What can I do to remedy that situation? Are snails good or bad to have in your pond?
We live in Alabama and our 1500gal pond is in full sun. We have a variety of Koi and goldfish and several plants. We also have some unwelcome guests, like the water moccasin that likes to sun on our rocks. Do you have any advice on how to keep snakes away from your pond other that purchasing a mongoose to run loose in my backyard!?
We have a lot of pond books and each one tells us we need something different. It can get really confusing. So I thought I would e-mail you and ask for your advice.

Thank you,

Kim

My response:

Kim, I don't fancy the idea of having a water mocassin in a pond. Unfortunately I don't know how to keep snakes away ... as far as your filter is concerned you have done a good job. It would do no harm to clean out as regulary as you can but if a big job clean say every 3 months. You might find it useful to put the lave rock inside shade netting or other open mesh plastic bags so that you can lift the rock out easily.
Only use pond water to rinse down the rocks and put the rocks back into the filter quickly ... do not let them dry out. Do NOT feed the fish for a few days after doing the cleaning.
If your pond stays clear don't install an UV but if it goes murky or green then it would be a good idea.
I'm not sure what you mean by flat surface ... in general the bottom of a pond should not be covered with rocks or sand or soil.
Snails are good for a pond ... the fish will eat the small ones.
Sounds like you've done a great job
If you do the things I suggest in my emails and book you don't need to do anything else

Tony
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