Jimbo,
Our water feature is in full, direct sunlight all day. I add water as needed from the garden hose. I add one puck, which disintegrates slowly over the next 10 days, then wait a week or so before adding another puck.
Been doing that for a year now and truly have had not one bit of algae.
I skim the water surface for floating debris (like dead lovebugs) as needed.
I change out the sleeves on the pond filter twice a year but have found them to remain surprisingly clean. I could probably wait longer than 6 months to change them, but I do it for good measure. They are inexpensive and our pond was designed so that I could access them easily. I am the caretaker, not hubby, so that was a priority for me when we contracted it. (Village Palms designed and installed it)
Because of the full sun layout, depth and additional maintenance factors it would entail, fish/plants will not be introduced. The photo does not show it in it's entirety, but it narrows and steps down to a long babbling brook.
However, frogs love it and have thrived here.... to my surprise!
I will say that moss will grow on the back, ground level of the largest rock, where there is a small pocket of shade. That is normal, as the rock is porous and there is little direct sun there. I spritz that occasionally with vinegar, and it is kept to a minimum with little fuss.
Of all the many indoor/outdoor water features I have had over the years, this one is the easiest I have ever cared for.
I have also been an aquarium nut in the past, and have done all that it entails. When I gave it up, my aquarium store bought all my fish back! Here's a painting I did of one of them!
(veil-tailed goldfish)[IMG]
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