No matter how beautiful a koi pond is, if the basics for a successful koi pond are not incorporated during the construction of the pond the owner will never be satisfied with it. Koi ponds are unique to themselves. The requirements for a successful water garden or even a gold fish pond are minimal. On the other hand, because koi fish are fast growing, produce a lot of waste and need very good water quality to flourish, they require a very special pond. A successful koi pond will address these issues, but at the same time it should be as easy as possible to maintain. The following information is provided to help you plan your Perfect Pond.

1) How large should I make my pond? One of the most common mistakes people make with their first pond is that they build it too small. For koi fish, the smallest pond we recommend building is 1500 gallons, which would be approximately 7 feet wide by 8 feet long and 4 feet deep. That may sound huge to many beginners, but most people who already have a koi pond, will agree that if you build a pond much smaller than that, you will not be happy with it. The problem is that koi fish are extremely addictive and it is hard to be content with just a few. Also, keep in mind that you may start out with several 6 inch long koi, but within 3 or 4 years they could grow to 24 inches or more. With few exceptions, most people, after a while, wish they had made their first pond bigger. On the other hand, you can also make your pond too big. Bigger is not always better. The largest pond we recommend building is 15,000 gallons, which would be approximately 17 feet wide by 21 feet long and 6 feet deep. If you build a pond much larger than that you run into several problems. In a very large pond it can become almost impossible to catch the fish if you need to. It can also be very expensive to medicate the pond if that becomes necessary. Additionally, all the water in the pond will need to be filtered at least once every three hours. Running pumps large enough to accomplish this can cost several hundreds of dollars per month. Finally, if you build the pond too large you may not enjoy the koi as much, because in a very large pond the koi are not always visible.

2) Where should I place my pond? There are several things to consider. First, koi ponds do better in a shaded area than in full sun. Full sun will work, but a shaded area will generally slow the algae growth down and will prevent the water from possibly getting too hot during the summer months. If you chose to build in a sunny area it might be practical to think of building some type of arbor, either now or in the future, to give your pond some shade. Unlike a swimming pool, leaves from trees near the pond should not create a problem if the pond is properly designed.* In many areas local building codes require any pond deeper than 2 feet be within a fenced in area, which could present a problem if you want to build it in your front yard. Once you have chosen a general location for the pond, we recommend you use a garden hose to outline the exact location, size and shape of the pond. This can be extremely helpful in giving you a better idea of exactly how the pond will look. After placing the hose where you plan to build the pond, stand back and examine it from several locations and ask yourself. Will it be the size pond that I want? Will it be as visible as I would like it to be from, say, the back deck, the kitchen window or wherever I would like to be able to see it? Keep in mind, this pond will most likely be the central feature of your whole landscaping. Once you have the general outline shape of the pond established you can get a approximate idea of how many gallons it would be by multiplying the (average length) x (average width) x (average depth) x (7.5 gallons per cubic foot).

*One note of caution: Pine trees are the one exception. Pine needles tend to create a real mess in a koi pond. Unlike leaves, needles can travel through the skimmer basket and the leaf basket on the pump and end up in your pump impeller. If possible, do not build a koi pond near a pine tree. Redwood trees, although messy, are not near the problem pine trees are.

3) Can I grow plants in my pond? If you really want to grow plants in your koi pond you can, but they really complicate things. Here is why:

If you place shelves in the pond to support the plants and the shelves are less than 2 feet deep, you risk the chance of loosing your koi to predators. Even if the shelves are deeper than 2 feet below the water level you may still have a problem. If when you place a potted plant on the shelf and the top of the pot is less than 2 feet from the pond surface a blue heroin may wait until a fish swims over the pot and then strike, pinning the fish against the plant pot.

Most water plants do not like water movement so you cannot use jets in the pond. Therefore, most of the leaves that fall in the pond will sink to the bottom before they reach the skimmer and may have to be netted out by hand.

Often times new plants will have parasites on them so you will need to treat them with potassium permanganate before you introduce them to the pond.

If parasites do get into your pond you will need to treat the whole pond. Most chemicals used to treat for parasites in koi ponds are toxic to plants. This means you will need to remove all the plants while you treat the pond. Additionally, you will need to treat the plants separately before you return them to the pond.

One of the most effective ways to combat string algae in a koi pond is to increase the salt level in the pond to .4%. This is not an option when you have plants in the pond because, most plants cannot tolerate salt and will die.

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Koi Pond Design - Down to Earth Landscapes

Welcome to Aquatic Design & Supplies

Aquatic Design & Supplies, Inc., is a product-committed company, which strives to provide and install FUNCTIONAL and RELIABLE garden pond and lake supplies. A lot of new water gardening products have found there way to the shelves and advertisements of the big chain stores as well as mail order and Internet companies. These items are stocked and sold based on what ever manufacturer offers the highest profit margins and which have the most colorful packaging and display material. No thought or knowledge is available in respect to quality or function.

All materials offered by Aquatic Designs have been tested and used in the field by our installation staff for over 15 years. All materials are subject to extensive customer feedback at our retail store location. Aquatic Design has no alliance or sales agreements with any one manufacturer. Our products have been selected and proven to be the BEST product available at differing price ranges.

Our employees are knowledgeable and will take the time to explain pond systems and supplies needed to create a low maintenance, relaxing ecosystem. Aquatic Design and Supplies is who we are and what we do. Ponds and pond supplies is not a sideline business for us, thus we take aquatics and our customers very seriously.

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Pond Supplies and Installation - Indianapolis, Indiana

Sierra Pacific Design is a family-owned and run, pond waterfall design service. We are fully licensed and insured general contractors with a passion for building custom garden ponds and waterfalls for residential and commercial landscapes in Southern California. The Sierra Pacific Design team has a unique, artistic vision for the way water can transform a space.

Designer James Schevers offers full service pond waterfall design service and installation of garden ponds and waterfalls, pondless waterfalls, Koi ponds, fountains and streams using natural materials with a respect for the surrounding environment. Each pond installation project is customized to both the landscape setting and the desires of the client. For over a decade, Sierra Pacific Design has been bringing the dream of a tranquil, water oasis to both the gardens of local homeowners and the concrete landscapes of commercial developments.

Our passion for pond waterfall design derives from a belief that interacting with nature on a daily basis promotes peace and happiness in ones life. Whether it is a serene Koi pond tucked into a shady corner of a front porch, or a waterfall cascading down granite boulders into a backyard stream, we take pride in each and every pond installation.

If you are looking for the best pond design service Los Angeles, you have come to the right place! We invite you to view our beautiful pond waterfall design portfolio and see for yourself.

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Pond Installation Los Angeles | Sierra Pacific Design

614-834-1144

A pond, waterfall, stream, or water garden can be an attractive and calming addition for any home. The pleasant sound of splashing water and the beauty of colorful fish, such as Koi, can create a wonderful sense of serenity, even in a small backyard.

Auman Landscape is experienced in pond design and installation and has been designing and building ponds and other water features in the Columbus and Central Ohio area for many years. We know that a properly designed waterfall or pond should look like a natural element in the landscape. Creating the proper effect involves a wide range of materials, including rock, concrete, PVC pipe, and pump assemblies. Careful consideration is given to equipment placement, excavation of soil, electrical and plumbing utilities, and equipment access.

We use native stone from around Ohio in our pond design to create a very natural look and feel in your landscape. We can build retaining walls and paver patios to protect your pond and give you privacy as well. We also use aquatic ornamental plantings to give you a relaxing and lush paradise habitat. Your pond will be home to birds, frogs, and dragonflies and it will provide the relaxing sound of cool, flowing water in your landscape.

Our design and filtration methods ensure low maintenance and consistent water quality. Your pond will not require any more maintenance than the average landscape bed. We can design your water garden to be either a strong focal point of your landscape or a peaceful hideaway, just for you.

We can tailor a pond, waterfall, or water garden that will blend perfectly into your landscape and make it as beautiful and inviting as it can be. Contact us to learn more about how Auman Landscape can help you have a wonderful and relaxing waterfall or pond in your back yard!

A beautiful Auman Landscape pond!

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Auman Landscape - Pond and waterfall design and installation ...

Waters Edge Pond Services is a complete water feature service company located just minutes south of Denver in Englewood, Colorado. Providing residential and commercial customers with original design, building and maintenance of water features, pond repair, water gardens, pondless waterfalls, and indoor water features across the front range from Boulder to Castle Rock.

If you want a large or small backyard pond to compliment your new or existing landscapes. The Waters Edge team will show you their passion for creating natural looking water features. Whether you are looking for a large moss rock waterfall or simple koi pond, you can count on us to build to your specs so you can enjoy it to the fullest extent. Every project we have completed has given us new ideas for our future customers. If less maintenance is what you are looking for, a dissapearing waterfall can give your feature the noise and natural relaxing feel without the standard pond maintenance required of a traditional pond.

Do not just let anybody build your water feature. Let a company that has years of pond and chemical knowledge build it for you. Our knowledgeable staff understand that proper boulder placement, stream design, and proper components will create a pond that you can enjoy for years to come.

We use superior pond treatment products. One of our team members can come to your home and show you the products we use and why we use them. Demonstrating how our pond products will benefit your pond, will guarantee your pond lasts for years.

Water Garden Displaying Landscaping and Aquatic Plants

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Pond Installation | Denver CO | Waterfall Features

pond design, construction and maintenance in PA, NY, NJ, DE, MD

PondWorks specializes in the design, construction and maintenance of a wide variety of quality-crafted residential and commercial water features for hundreds of customers throughout Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland. Building from a collective education, experience, talent, passion and inspiration; the craftsmen at PondWorks continually conceptualize and craft indoor and outdoor water features that are beautiful, inspirational, functional and environmentally significant in their respective surroundings.

Established in 1993, PondWorks is the brainchild of avid outdoorsman and entrepreneur, Brian Buchholtz. From an early age, fishing, boating and exploring creeks and waterfalls were just a few of the many outdoor activities that fostered a fascination for him of all things water related. This fascination eventually developed into a pronounced attraction to, and appreciation of, manmade water features like fountains, ponds, and reflecting poolsHe was not only interested in what made them aesthetically appealing, but also what made them function and how he may improve on the concepts.

Brians interests in design, structure and functionality led him to attend Philadelphia University and earn a degree in Architecture (B.Arch). While working on his degree, Brian continued designing and installing garden ponds, water features and koi ponds as his studies allowed. Before graduating, he spent a semester abroad in Rome absorbing the built environment, history, culture, art and science offered in Europe and North Africa. Soon after, he refocused his attention to expanding PondWorks by utilizing his newly enhanced knowledge and ever developing passions for all forms of design and construction.

Working personally and closely with customers while creating in-depth and inspirational relationships has helped Brian develop PondWorks into an industry respected company. Much of PondWorks growth has come from word of mouth references among customers and fellow professionals. Customer service is a priority in all aspects of the company from initial design consultation to monthly or yearly maintenance service contract visits. Each customer, and each pond / water feature is unique and important to PondWorks growth.

PondWorks initial Backyard garden ponds and waterfall projects have expanded into elaborate koi ponds, ornamental water features, maintenance and service contracts, indoor and outdoor corporate fountains, golf-course ponds, fish hatcheries, potable water storage systems, wetland construction and rehabilitation, rain water harvesting systems, stormwater detention and natural Bio swimming pools (eco-pools) among many other unique projects across Pennsylvania (PA), New Jersey (NJ), New York (NY), Delaware (DE) and Maryland (MD).

Today, the likeminded craftsmen that Brian has amassed at PondWorks share his passion, talent and inspiration and continue to cultivate the rich tradition that hundreds of loyal customers have celebrated for nearly two decades.

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PondWorks - Pond Design, Construction & Maintenance Service, Water ...

Maintaining Your Water Feature

Now that youve decided to dive into the world of water gardening, youre probably wondering exactly what you need to do to maintain youre new aquatic beauty, and keep it looking good.

There is a lot of conflicting information out there about the dos and dont of water garden maintenance so your head may be spinning, wondering which steps are necessary and which ones arent. The whole point of installing your pond in the first place was to reduce the stress in your life, not add it to.

Well, allow us to share a little bit of water gardening knowledge with you the key to a low maintenance water garden is to keep your new ecosystem in balance! Read on and learn how to water garden the low maintenance way. So regardless of which type of water feature you own, well tell you the best way to maintain it with the least amount of work on your part!

Different Pond Types

Ecosystem Ponds

The key to keeping an all-natural water garden in check is general ecosystem maintenance. The five elements of your ecosystem all need to be balanced in order to insure that everything is working smoothly. They are:

Mechanical and Biological Filters

Pumps and Plumbing

Rocks and Gravel

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French's Waterscapes : SF Bay Area Pond Waterfall Design ...

California Waterscapes is one of the largest pond and waterfallbuilders in Southern California. We create personalized backyard waterfall designs as well as streams that you can enjoy in the comfort of your own home. Each waterfall and pond design is made custom to its area and blends in naturally with its environment. The hundreds of ponds we have installed over the years are designed to appear and operate identically to natural bodies of water, a result of the way our ponds work as chemical free mini-ecosystems. Our commitment to organic waterfall design truly sets us apart from our competitors.

We also design and install beautiful, top quality pools, which may include a variety of water features. Our pond maintenance is also relatively easy and affordable. You may add Koi, turtles and aquatic plants to your pond, as these too require minimal maintenance and live easily in our chemical free installations.

Why wait?

Schedule your FREE consultation today!

Creating your own personal backyard pond, stream or waterfall is more affordable than you think. We can work with almost any budget as we custom tailor every pond to our customers specific needs.

A Green Contractor California C-27 Contractors Licenses 715731 & 814229

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Pond Designs for Backyard Ponds | California Waterscapes

Pond supplies and Pond Construction is what we live and breath. The Pond Digger Inc, is not only supplying pond care products but also koi pond supplies to home owners and professioinal pond contractors across the nation. We are a nationally recognized construction company specializing in Pondless Waterfall Supplies and Koi Pond supplies. We are stocked to the ceiling with your pond supply needs for maintaining and constructing a wide variety of water features.

The Pond Digger heardquarters is based in sunny Southern California, in the City of Yucaipa halfway between Los Angeles and Palm Springs. Our showroom is open to the public 6 days a week for walk-ins and customer support. Our showroom hours are Monday through Saturday from 9am to 5pm. We offer professional design assistance, training seminars, and technical support. We have many display ponds, waterfalls, aquatic plants and demonstrations at our facility to educate and inspire. We encourage you stop by talk, learn and shop for your pond supplies.

We have a large inventory of pond supplies and construction supply equipment for building koi ponds and accessories for the care and maintenance of water features. We are heavily stocked with the latest and greatest innovative pond supply equipment and customize pond kits for any design you can dream. We deliver hundreds of different supplies through our on-line store with quick and efficient shipping through out the United States.

With Information, Education and Inspiration as our foundation, it is our goal is to assist you in creating your own one of a kind water feature. We want the opportunity to teach you how to build your dream waterscape right the first time or have the opportunity to design and build it for you. Before you let a contractor on your property educate yourself by reading our Pond Contractor Warning Report. We guarantee this will save you time, headache and a ton of money. This report could keep you from being showcased on our Ponds Gone Wrong page.

The Koi Pond Meets the Water Garden! Its a fusion of water gardening and Koi pond construction philosophies. Advances in the water garden industry, like back flushable waterfall filtration systems, have renowned Koi Experts looking at the water garden industry with a new perspective. The fact that pond owners, in general, want the best of both worlds, can no longer be ignored.

Most of your basic water gardens are not designed to maintain optimal Koi health and traditional Koi ponds are not designed to blend into the landscape naturally all the while Koi can, and do thrive in both pond construction types if certain technologies and maintenance routines are set in place. The development of a hybrid style koi pond has developed from the public's desire to have the best of both worlds. The hybrid style pond is a combination or a fusion of the two pond construction philosophies.

The Pond Digger Waterscape Design & Construction Company has literally interviewed thousands of pond owners and prospective pond buyers to reveal consumer desires. Homeowners want a pond that blends seamlessly into the landscape while offering pristine water quality and a healthy environment for koi fish. Education & information covering both pond installation and pond maintenance is the backbone of our strategy in designing a system for our clients. Our Design Consultation Team is second to none. We offer a service where we come to you as a pond design consultant looking out for your best interest in the early planning stages of pond construction. Additionally, we offer Pond Inspections for existing problem ponds that need trouble shooting.

By embracing water garden construction philosophies and incorporating dedicated koi filtration technologies including aeration systems, UV Sterilizers and the collection of bottom debris via Bottom Drains, we can find a neutral ground in the middle of this amazing hobby where the water garden meets the Koi pond.

Pondless? Now, for those of you who want a waterfall but aren't so sure about a fish pond or worried about young children around a pond, there's always the pondless waterfall or rock column fountain feature. These special pondless systems includes the sound of a waterfall, rocks, gravel, and aquatic plants that you would normally have in a pond, but no fish and more important no water deeper than an inch or two! That's why it is called pondless!

Pondless water feature systems are perfect for schools, businesses and those who want a front yard water feature, travel frequently, have young children or limited space. It's called a disappearing pondless waterfall because the water does not form a pond but instead disappears into an underground pondless reservoir beneath rock and gravel.

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The Pond Digger - Pond Supplies and Waterfall Construction, Koi ...