Probably like many folks planning on putting in a koi pond, I had picked out some pretty low cost fixtures from various online sources. \r
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Then I visited Russell Watergardens and Koi. They patiently answered all of my rookie questions. They spent a ton of time with me, talking pros and cons, giving me things to think about, and showing me various implementations in their own gardens. \r
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As a result, I have purchased a complete system. I still have questions, and they're always helpful. They remember the details of what I'm planning, and even provided a complete schematic of the system, showing where all of the various components go, and which pieces connect them. \r
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It's really true that not all pond equipment is created equal. You can definitely spend a lot less on other equipment. If you're willing to take on the hassles of trying to mate mismatched components, getting service from an online retailer, and spending a lot more time maintaining your pond instead of enjoying it, then cheap may be the way to go. If you want to have a system you KNOW will work and is easy to maintain, and people you KNOW will stand behind you post-sale, head straight to Russell.
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