Murky pond??

[teenyweenytadpole]

Hi all, moved into a new house recently and there is a pond, it has been recently cleared out and replanted with some plants including waterlilies. A friend bought my DD some goldfish to keep in it and they seem happy enough but the water is looking very murky and not clear, although I have been using a net to get dead leaves out. The water level seems a bit low, can I use water from the hose to top it up? Should I get a filter of some kind (worried about the £££££) or just put in some more oxygenating plants? Any other advice for a pond virgin?!

[RuthChan]

The water in a garden pond is unlikely to ever be completely clear. Think about the colour of wild ponds and lakes that you have seen elsewhere.
If the goldfish are happy, the chances are that the water is ok.
Oxygenating plants are very important. You need plenty, but you don't need to fill the pond with them.
Another thing you could try is adding fresh water muscles. These filter the water for you and help to keep it clean. You can buy them at any good pond shop and they'll live at the bottom of your pond without you ever really knowing they're there.

[ragged]

Murky water is good for wildlife.