Not seeing anything curious or mysterious (twilight-zone-ish) here. I am, however, confused as to why you think 15-20 fish disappeared overnight when you plainly state you cannot see them unless they venture to the shallows (?) Perhaps the hawk made dinner of the koi but that's the least of your concerns at present. Your best course of action is to stop treating *symptoms* and start correcting the root of the issue (unless you don't mind pouring a constant stream of $ into your pool cum pond). Just for starters, what is your ratio of plant coverage to surface area? It's not clear how your dh converted the pool pump to include a bio filter. (I maintained a pool for many years & I just can't make sense of this - do you mean he's routed the flow through a filter?) In any event, IF it was working there would be no need to add packet after packet of 'good bacteria' as the filter would be serving this function without ANY help from you. You say "things are looking up" after adding (how many?) packets of bacteria? Bleh! It's not unusual to experience a spring algae bloom (green water) but it's nearing the end of Aug now and you should not be experiencing green water. I'd suggest you go take a look at cliff_and_joann 's filter system. They've shared detailed schematics of their setup which you will find helpful. I say again, stop treating symptoms and start correcting the underlying issues. Not only will your fish enjoy good health but your wallet will too, blessings, ~digger p.s. one last thought...toss the lava rock.

I've got a more-than-a-coincidence story about cats! This happened four years ago. I had a pair of elderly cats which I had had since they were kittens. An out of town friend came to visit and brought me, as a house gift, a beautiful stained glass museum-art quality placque of two cats, a standing black cat and an orange tabby squatting at its side. (It is a famous painting; I just can't remember right now who did it). I hung it in the window and it catches light beautifully. Four months later, quite unexpectedly, one of my elderly cats died. I grieved for awhile, but then started looking for two new young kittens/cats (I always like to have at least two). I started searching the websites of several no-kill groups in my area and I found a pair, posted that very day, of orphans who matched the pictures exactly--a lanky black male and his much more roundish orange tabby sister. Needless to say they are the loves of my life. I adore it when they pose under the picture exactly like the "famous" cats!

No mulching! You want the rhizomes to be exposed to the sun. That's why it is a hassle to weed around irises. Fertilize with Bulbtone or other bulb fertilizer early in the spring when iris begin to grow about 0.5 tsp or 1 tsp depending on the size of your plants.

Thank you, thank you all. This has indeed been an interesting journey. DH retired 3 years ago and he resisted the idea for a long time. But one day last year I mentioned that one of the larger homes that backed up to the woods had just come on the market and he surprised me by agreeing to see it. Then he floored me by making an offer. Most of the homes in this community sell quickly, usually by word of mouth which is how I found this one. My friends who live there told me the day it went on the market. Joanie - You asked how we chose this community. That was probably the easiest part of this process. We used to drive past the entrance when we took the dog to the vet and every now and then DH and I would drive through. This community is 13 years old, has 235 individual homes and 30 townhouses reserved for lower income seniors. There is a clubhouse, outdoor pool, tennis and bocce courts and a very active group of residents. As with so many other real estate decisions location was key. We have many over 55 communities in this part of South Jersey and I know of 5 more that are being built. Most of the newer ones have larger units and more options but they're not necessarily better construction and most of them are in towns with high taxes. Toll Brothers is building one on a golf course in my town. These are all townhouses and the taxes for a 2100 sq ft home are over $15,000. Our development has 8 different models ranging from 1500 sq ft to 2150 sq ft - we choose the larger one in hopes that some day we might have grandchildren who'd like to visit. We have a 2 car garage, a kitchen, family room, living room/dining room, master bedroom and guest room on the first floor. The second floor has another guest room and a loft. The lots are small and the houses are close together which is why we wanted one in the rear with a private patio and backs up to woods. The monthly HOA fee is $135 which covers yard care, snow removal and recreational facilities. Once DH realized that this move made sense he threw himself into planning the remodel. He comments that if we're giving up this home that we love then he wants to make the next one 'ours' too. So while they all seem to look alike on the outside we're completely remaking the interior. I've heard him talking to our friends about our move and he now says that he should have done this earlier. Giving up our big home, yard and pool will free us from many of those home ownership worries plus there is the financial savings - our taxes will be halved, utility costs will be significantly lower and we plan on spending more time at our vacation home in NE PA. DH is near 70 and I'm a few years behind and he has health limitations that prevent him from strenuous activity. We won't have to switch doctors or hospitals, all 3 adult kids now own their own homes and live within 30 minutes. I'll actually be closer to Wegman's and the Wellness Center where I try to do pool exercises 4 or 5 times a week. I can easily drive or take the Hi-Speed Line into Philly or take NJ Transit to NYC. I'm the social butterfly in the family while DH is reserved, quiet and definitely not a joiner. They have regular card games in the clubhouse but DH wouldn't dream of just walking in. I'm hoping he'll met someone who will ask if he plays pinochle - that would make him a happy camper. My girlfriend and I have already signed up for the September bus trip to NYC. Thanks again everyone for your encouraging words. Maire