technically you could add a neck to the intake but you will still get depri being sucked up because the koi will rummage...
good point. Would need to come up with some sort of potted system if going to put plants down there. Other option (proposed by dad) is setting current pump to not draw water from the bottom drain (which is as easy as a flip of the switch) and only use the surface skimmer, and fill in part of the deep end (simultaneously providing a substrate for any plants, but also decreasing volume of pool).
and i have to say adding a waterfall to a pool might look a bit corny..... why not an in pool pump with a prefilter and a fountain head.. just ideas
Why not? Cos I hadn't thought of it? This would be something that would be submerged, incorporate some type of filter, and shoot water upwards?
I would not go with a substrate. Although you are close to having a mud pond in size I think you would be better off not going down that road. Planting new plants in a substrate once the pond is established would be a major hassel. Think SCUBA.
Put your plants in baskets. You can use a long poll with a hook and place/move your plants around as you like. I would leave the deep end open with maybe some floaters. Most swimming pools have a sort of ledge all the way around at the water level that works in conjunction with the skimmer. If you so desire, with a little ingenuity you could hang plant baskets on wire from this ledge.
This pool doesn't have a ledge underwater. The sides go straight down, but slope toward the bottom (no square edges underwater). But may be able to figure something out to allow plants in baskets anyway... would have to talk to dad and see if we can't come up wit something.
As for the filter. I think the most economica route is to build a DIY unit of a stock tank(s). You could also incorporate the bio filter into your water fall. There are any number of website out there with the details of how to make one. Just route the water from the present filter/pump system through your new bio filter. Do a search for fluidized bed filters. You can build a pretty good one that will handle a large bio load pretty easily out of PVC.
I would be a little concerned that the turnover rate of the pump might not be enough. However if you keep your bio load low that should not be a big deal.
I'll do some more reading and see what I can come up with, and cosult with dad to see what he's willing to try/build/etc., since it's really him that'll end up doing most of the work and spending the money ;P I don't think parents necessarily want/need a ton of fish, and it would seem that having fewer fish would mean it would require less maintenance. as long as it comes out aesthetically, i think they'd be happy.
I'll look around some more, and try to figure out what might work. If parents go through with this, I'll keep you all updated
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