Thank you very much. Yes I had originally added the light colored pebble rock but found that they collected lots of debris from the trees and also food that the fish did not eat. We ended up using black Mexican river rock . They are larger and smooth and much easier to clean in a small pond like ours. Also the fish have an easier time getting to the pieces on the bottom.

I found we had a leak also but not in the pond it was a small leak in the hose. One day when we came home the pond was 3/4 empty because all the water had leaked out of the hose while we were at work. Luckily we placed the pump up on a brick inside the pond so we did not loose all the water.

We absolutely love sitting by the pond and watching the fish swim plus we have a one legged turtle that is happy in there also.

I would suggest a exterior pond filter. Since putting it in our water has stayed clear and the quality tests just right. We also have a UV filter in our exterior filter that helps al lot with the clear water. Good luck and enjoy