Q. Being very new to keeping fish but 'hooked' already I have recently installed a new pond in my garden. I have since had a complaint from one neighbour about the noise level (running water). I myself along with other people I have asked do not believe there is a problem.... however I am just wondering if anyone else has ever had to deal with the same issue? or does anyone know where i stand legally?

A. With modern housing being quite close together and with smaller gardens complaints of water noise is quite common especially in the summer months when peope have their windows open at night.
It should be quite easy to reduce the noise though.
The most common cause of water noise is a waterfall, but with the colder weather now this should be shut off anyway.
Even a drop of 3 or 4 inches back into a pond can make quite a noise. You can reduce the noise by reducing the flow to the waterfall or altering the fall back into the pond.
Other water noise can be caused by returns from the pump dropping into the pond. If you have a venturi then the return will be underwater and should not make a noise.
If the pump return is above water then you can add a pipe that takes the return below the water surface. Returns from a Trickle Tower or similar appliance can also be dealt with this way and will be completely quiet.

Q. This is my first year using aeration in my pond and filter, the weather forecast for the next few days is for lower daytime tempatures and for frost at night. I,m wondering should I switch off my pump at this time or gradually reduce the air in the filters as I,m worried that a sudden shut off would somehow be a shock to the filters and maybe dangerous? Have I got it right or am I being too cautious and if it is to be gradual, what kind of timeframe?

A. You do not say what type of media you are using in the filter.
With Kaldnes K1 or Japanese matting then the air pump must never be shut off.
If you are using aeration with other type of media then it is still advisable to keep it running during the winter.
Any air stones used in the pond during the summer months can be removed assuming you have sufficient aeration from other sources such as a venturi.
The ideal way is to have the air pump in a shed or something similar. Do not put it in a greenhouse as it might pick up some dangerous chemicals that might be in the air.
If this is not practical in your case then some people build a small housing to go over the pump in a shape like a small dog kennel which can be easily lifted up to service the pump. Make sure that plenty of air can get in, but as the pump runs quite warm it will take some of the chill off the air going into the pump.
Some people put the air pump down in their pump chamber. With a gravity fed filter this will be below the surface of the pond water. It will be necessary to fit a non return valve which can be purchased for this use, but they are not 100% reliable.

Q. I am concerned as to how to seal the drain pipe in the concrete. Is the pipe just painted with unibond before casting or just buried in concrete or what?

A. You just pour the concrete around the bottom drain and the pipe.