@folks,
I know the height of the glass will be something you guys debate on. I've had my headache during planning and execution. It is a controversy and finally I decided for a mere 60cm. I could have use 80cm like my 1000L tanks, but that would proof out of the question. Now take a good look on how this guy is doing the filter box.
Yes he is inside and standing. That gives you the idea on how deep the pond area is. There is more of depth than you can see from the pic trough the murky mater (sorry, nothing I can do to make it clear soon). It is already 90 cm+ at some points, going deeper will only make it harder for me to set it as a planted tank. Lighting and maintenance will be harder issue for me. At current condition I already must get my pants wet if something is wrong inside the pond where I cannot reach from outside