When good advice Is or Is not good for you

Hi , I got a chance to listen to pod casts, The Savage Water Garden & Koi Pond Basics. The one thing that I noticed right off is that they are from the southern states. Not that it bad or anything but they have a much different climate than us who live in Canada or the northern states. Therefore, believe we approach things differently. I noticed the same thing when researching for my pond that depending on where they come from changes there rule book. There is definitely ‘pond rules’ that are universal like the importance of creating and maintaining a balanced and eco system. It’s hard to dispute the laws of nature.  

Based on the Fish Lady interview, I have what would be best call a hybrid pond . It is 5 foot deep and have a mix of koi, goldfish, Shubunkin and Comets. She had a lot of great comments and good advice. But I do disagree with the whole Koi pond verses Garden pond. I think that most people have something somewhere in between. And that is what makes our ponds up here so special. All the experts that I have talk to or read there stuff from the northern think in forth dimension Winter... I don't want to take away anything from the ponders in the south they have some of the most beautiful ponds, but some the most interesting ponds and ideas I have seen come from the northern climates where summer is shorter and challenges greater.  

I would love to see some interviews with someone from a more northern region that can share down to earth knowledge that relates to the northern climate. Eric had some neat ideas related to Bog gardens. The coniferous plants are cool but are seasonal if you not live down south. 

The greatest number of pond people I have talk to in person and over the web live in towns and have what I call serenity ponds.  Their ponds are that oasis from the day to day grind. This means that their pond needs to be more native (zone friendly) so that the labor and maintenance does not add extra pressures or overwhelm all ready hectic lives. 

It is hard for me to put all that is in my head on paper but what have learned these past few years plus what I already knew about nature and biological process I think I have come up with a winning formula for happy fish and still have peaceful play from people to enjoy the plants and fish. What I am interested in hearing about is veggie filters. I call mine a Bog garden but most of it is really a veggie filter.