Consider: Bird Baths, Garden Ponds and Liners, Pond ecosystem and Wetlands, Pond Lighting, Pond Plants and Fish, Pond Pumps, Solar Garden Fountains, Wall Garden Fountains, Water Fountains, and Waterfalls.
Create habitats for other creatures other than your family, kids, and friends that swim in the yard.
Tips for choosing a water feature
There are three basic types of water features you can install in your yard: ponds, water gardens, and waterfalls. If you've never designed or built a water feature, you might not even be sure what the difference between a pond and a water garden is. The differences are slight but can really influence your decision on which feature to go with. A pond incorporates both fish and plants, which can include goldfish and koi. A water garden is more focused on the plants than the fish. Sometimes a water garden will have goldfish, but koi sometimes eat certain plants, so if the plants are the most important aspect for you, it's best to leave the koi out of it. Then there are reflecting ponds, which are very shallow and won't support water lilies or fish, but can be nice if you just want something small and easy to care for. You can also create a bog pond, which is an area where the soil is waterlogged, creating a suitable environment for growing plants that thrive in moist soil. Waterfalls make a nice addition to any of the above, with the exception of the bog and reflecting pool. The most important question is which feature will suit your yard and your preferences best? Would you rather relax to the sound of running water, or stare peacefully into the depths of your koi pond? Do you want your pond or water garden to be above ground, or below? Do you have a lot of trees in your yard that could pose a potential problem when their leaves fall into the water? The sections below on designing the perfect water feature can help make your planning a little easier.
Location counts
The best spot for a pond is on level, well-drained ground. The pond should be installed in an area where runoff from rain won't flow into it, since runoff can carry fertilizers, chemicals, and organic debris into your pond. (However, if you have a desire to "green" your environment, have ample space, and want to do the additional research, you could incorporate a reed bed to treat grey water or run off on its way to your water feature.) Avoid putting your pond in the lowest spot of your yard.
Place your pond where you can access a water and electrical supply—especially a hose to make it easy to add a couple extra inches of water in the summer when it needs it. Don't place the pond near trees, if you can avoid it. If you have a lot of trees, find a place to position your pond where it won't be in the direct line of falling leaves, which are sometimes toxic to fish and plants. If you position your pond below a tree, you will have to constantly remove the debris from it. If there's no way around putting the pond under a tree, try tying up netting right below where the leaves will fall so they won't pollute your pond. For the maximum plant and fish life, the pond should be in a place that gets approximately 4–6 hours of sunlight a day. However, if you're planning on only having fish in your pond, shade only is okay. A good balance of sun and shade is the best way to keep a healthy pond.
Below-ground gas and water pipes can be a deciding factor in where you put your pond. It's not fun to start digging and hit a gas pipe about halfway through. Many utility companies have a free service where they will come out to your house and tell you where the piping lays. Call before you have your heart set on a location and don't dig without doing this first!
What shape or style should it be?
Once you've solved all the practical problems, it's time to work on the aesthetics. A good way to get an idea of your desired shape and size of your water garden or pond is to grab a hose and lay it in different shapes in the area or areas you've picked out. Experiment with bigger and smaller sizes, oval and square shapes, formal and informal. Take pictures, if you want to mull it over.
Formal ponds are geometrically shaped (square, circle) and look distinctively man-made. Use this layout if the rest of your garden or yard is very formal. (Even if you have a cottage garden, you can inject a bit of formality with a geometric pool that can be both unexpected and interesting.) An informal pond is organically shaped and irregular like a natural body of water. Most people go with an informal pond because you can be more creative with the shapes, but formal ponds look beautiful, too.
How big should it be?
The most commonly given advice about choosing a size for your pond or water garden is to make it as big as you possibly can. Making a pond a little bigger won't raise the cost substantially. Big ponds are actually easier to maintain, because you can get in them instead of bending over the side to care for your plants and fish. Many first-time water gardeners make their ponds too small and then can't put as many plants and fish in it as they want to. By building the biggest pond you can afford, you'll save yourself the nuisance of not having a large enough pond later on down the road.
How deep?
If you only want a reflecting pond or bog pond, a foot is deep enough. If you want lilies, you need at least 18 inches. If you want koi, 24 inches is about right. Keep in mind that any pond without fish can house mosquitoes. (There are ways to get around this, such as putting a non-toxic mosquito dunk in the water, but it's nice to have fish as a natural bug repellent). If you want your fish to stay in the water during winter, the pond has to be a foot deeper than your thickest ice. Same goes with the summer—if you're in a hot area you'll need the deeper water levels to avoid killing the fish. Waterfalls can help with heat issues as well. If you live in the South where it gets scorching hot, a 30-36 inch pond is a good idea.
Which kinds of fish and plants?
As mentioned before, ponds usually contain goldfish or koi, and water gardens usually just have goldfish if they have fish at all. A pond that incorporates both plants and fish is the easiest to take care of, because if planned correctly the nature will take care of most of the maintenance. Water lilies are among the most popular plants to put in your pond or water garden. These, along with oxygenating plants and grasses such as anacharis, cabomba, and hornwort are very easy to install and are almost always a staple in healthy ponds. A well-balanced pond will be covered with about 50%-75% lilies and other floating plants. Bog plants are another option; these go in the shallow parts of your pond. Cattails, horsetails and rushes are examples of bog plants.
Above ground or below?
Most ponds are below ground, but if you want something really simple and relatively shallow, above ground is the way to go. This is also a good way to go if you have really tough soil and it would be really hard to dig the hole. A water fountain set in the center of a brick and concrete reflecting pool would be a good example of an above ground water feature.
What type of liner and filtration system?
There are four different types of pond/water garden liners: flexible liners, natural liners, rigid liners, and concrete. The preformed rigid liner is the only one that doesn't allow the builder/designer flexibility as to the shape and depth of the pond.Flexible liners are usually made of rubber or plastic (plastic being cheapest but lowest quality) and come in rolls of up to 100 feet wide and long. Natural liners use clay soils to prevent water from seeping out and are the cheapest liner available. Typically, these are used for very large ponds, and the quality of your water might be affected adversely if you're planning on building a smaller pond. Rigid liners are made of molded plastic or fiberglass. These are generally used for smaller ponds and water gardens. They are a little harder to install below ground, but they're easy to install above ground. They're more expensive than flexible liners, but they're pretty much indestructible. Concrete liners are the most expensive liners to put in and can be expensive, but will last a long time if they don't crack. The operative word is "crack". To repair a pond constructed this way can be a messy, laborious job. Consider hiring a landscape contractor to do your concrete work if your experience is limited. Filtration systems are fairly expensive and not always necessary. If you have fish, then a filter is probably going to be necessary. Their waste is composed of ammonia and nitrites, which will kill them eventually if the the pond isn't cleaned up. There are two types of filters, mechanical and biological. Mechanical filters remove the big pieces of junk from your pool using a sponge or matting. A biological filter is a just a box with bacteria in it that will eat the harmful stuff in the water when it passes through. Building your own filter is also an option, and it's really not too hard. You can find ways to build these on ponding web sites as well as in water feature books, magazines, or catalogs.
A quick note on waterfalls
Waterfalls can be the perfect addition to your pond, and they don't have to be very expensive or time consuming if you're not installing Niagara Falls in your backyard. What you really need to concentrate on for this design project is figuring out the height of the waterfall, and what you're going to use for the materials to make it. Height can be achieved easily by building a berm (i.e. artificial slope) with the dirt you dug up to build the pond, and then placing "spillway rocks" into the berm. A spillway rock is a long flat rock that the water spills over, creating the waterfall. The other way to go is to buy an artificial wall for the waterfall. These can be found at any home improvement store. Or bypass the berm and just use rocks to create your perfect waterfall.
GREEN ‘water’ Products
There is a new generation of ‘green’ products that provide environmentally responsible solutions to problems such as the build up of harmful toxins from fish waste, unwanted algae and unwanted sludge and mud development, which can spoil the enjoyment of your pond, aquarium or water feature. Look for products that are all-natural and are totally safe for fish, pets, wildlife, humans and plants and can be used in even the most sensitive circumstances.
For an eco-solution to your water systems, look for companies like AquaHydrotech that are taking the lead. The AquaHydrotech team has used their extensive knowledge of fish culture and water management to develop a range of effective products for the control and maintenance of good water quality, to enable you to get the maximum enjoyment for your family from your pond and/or aquarium. They are completely eco-friendly and are guaranteed not to contain any pesticides, or toxic chemicals.
Extract of Barley Straw
Extract of Barley Straw - Clears green water, algae and blanket weed. A completely natural solution to the problem of green water. Helps keep your pond clean and clear. An eco-friendly solution to the problem of green water in ponds. Enhances pond water chemistry to prevent pond water turning green. Extract of Barley Straw contains no synthetic chemicals or artificial pesticides. It can be used in any type of pond and with any species of fish.
Fast Start for Filters
Provides rapid filter start up and treats harmful fish waste ensuring your water is of a high quality and fish are safe. A special mix of naturally occurring pond filter bacteria, blended to kick-start new filters and boost existing ones. Once established, the bacteria assist in the removal and filtration of harmful fish waste and help maintain a good water quality and healthy fish stocks. Contains no synthetic chemicals, herbicides or pesticides and is totally harmless to fish, pets, wildlife, plants & children.
Mud Muncher
Degrades mud and sludge on the pond bottom to help keep your pond clean and free from odors. Also suitable for use in pond filters. A special mixture of pond bacteria formulated to breakdown unwanted mud and sludge on pond bottoms and in pond filters. Regular use of this product throughout the summer months can decrease the need to clean out the pond during winter, helping to maintain a good water quality and healthy fish stocks. Contains no synthetic chemicals, herbicides or pesticides and is totally harmless to fish, pets, wildlife, plants & children.
Chlorine Guard
Suitable for all types of pond and aquaria. Removes chlorine, chloramines & heavy metals when topping up. An eco-friendly solution for the treatment of chlorine, chloramines and heavy metals in tap water prior to the filling or topping up of a pond or aquarium. Chlorine Guard contains natural compounds, which bind chlorine, making water safer for fish and plants. Contains no synthetic chemicals, herbicides or pesticides and is totally harmless to fish, pets, wildlife, plants & children.
Foam Free
A natural solution for the control of unsightly foam in ponds and features. This non-toxic, mineral based formulation has been created to help control the build up of unsightly foam that can form in ponds and features, helping to keep the water clean and clear.Contains no synthetic chemicals, herbicides or pesticides and is totally harmless to fish, pets, wildlife, plants & children.
kH Plus
Increases the carbonate hardness of your pond providing essential kH to help enhance bacterial performance and achieve nitrification. kH plus is a blend of mineral salts that will help increase the carbonate hardness of your pond. The bicarbonate contained within this product will naturally enhance bacterial performance and help prevent build ups in ammonia and nitrite caused by the loss of nitrification. Contains no synthetic chemicals, herbicides or pesticides and is totally harmless to fish, pets, wildlife, plants & children.
Ammonia Removal Nuggets
Decreases ammonia levels from fish waste in pond water helping to maintain healthy fish and good water quality. Can allow the earlier addition of fish. Specially blended live nitrifying bacteria immobilized in a gel to provide instant removal of ammonia caused by fish waste in the water. Contains no synthetic chemicals, herbicides or pesticides and is totally harmless to fish, pets, wildlife, plants & children.
Nitrite Removal Nuggets
Instantly and effectively decreases nitrite making water safe for fish. Specially blended live nitrosomonas bacteria immobilized in a gel to provide an instant nitrite removal. The concentrated bacteris in nuggets make them a rapid solution to the problem of nitrite build up and ideal for troubleshooting a nitrite problem.
The NitroGEN and NitroGEN Pro
Nitrification filter units designed to fit simply into pond pipe work for easy application and enhanced activity of Ammonia and Nitrite Removal Nuggets. The NitroGEN treats up to 1000 gallons and the NitroGEN Pro treats up to 10,000 gallons. The NitroGEN Unit has been designed specifically to provide the perfect application for Ammonia & Nitrite Removal Nuggets into a pond. The unit can be integrated quickly and easily into pond pipe work to give the ultimate control over nitrification in pond water and providing the optimum environment for your fish.
NitroGEN
The NitroGEN is the fastest and most effective way to remove ammonia and nitrite from a pond. The passage of water through the unit enables the bacteria to provided unique gel Ammonia and Nitrite Removal Nuggets to neutralise ammonia and nitrite, converting it to harmless nitrate.
Installation of the NitroGEN
The NitroGEN is installed in the return pipework of the filter circulating system after the UV (if used). Do not place it in the pipework prior to the UV. It is furnished with 43 mm internal diameter plastic pipe connectors. A pair of stepped diameter adapters, which fit standard aquatic pipes. The unit should be fitted with the top screw cap upper most and allowing space for re-charging from above. The NitroGEN does not require mechanical supports on relatively short pipe runs. Ensure there are no loads on the units connections to the pond pipework. The NitroGEN should be charged with 80mls of the appropriate Nuggets and the remainder refrigerated. Each application will provide a minimum of 6 months treatment under normal conditions. For the maintenance of Nitrification, to boost a system or to start up a new system:Use a combination of Ammonia & Nitrite Removal Nuggets to provide an equal blend of all the bacteria required to maintain nitrification within a pond system.
NitroGEN Pro
The NitroGEN Pro will treat ponds from 1000 to 10000 gallons (4,545 - 45,450 Litres). The NitroGEN Pro is installed in the return pipework of the filter circulating system after the UV (if used). Do not place it in the pipework prior to the UV. It is furnished with 43 mm internal diameter plastic pipe connectors. The NitroGEN will require support. Mount in a vertical position on a flat surface. Ensure there are no loads on the units connections to the pond pipework. The NitroGEN Pro should be charged with a 240ml pot of the appropriate Nuggets. Each application will provide a minimum of 6 months treatment under normal conditions.
The right home improvement products, techniques, and services:
Contractors, home improvement stores, and specialty shops in your area may not yet have a complete familiarity with the ‘green’ opportunities, products, system integration, and overall savings potential. So, you may get some resistance, since people in general are typically more comfortable recommending something that they are already familiar with rather than something new. To help break the inertia, use the information across this website like our Return on Investment Master ROI Table. Also feel free to post a question in our forum on the message board about a particular need for your home relative to your area. Our team has spent multiple years aggregating research from public and private sector performance reports and from manufacturers and homeowners across the country in order to provide you with the perspective you may need to see the initial payback and long term advantages. Environmental enthusiasts and leading institutions like the American Institute of Architects and the National Association of Realtors, see the value and link into our resources to support their members.
The Green Home:
For your overall home improvement, you can save money, improve your family’s health, and save the planet. Find out for free how much it will cost to do different types of home improvement in your home from a qualified and member approved contractor in your area. Get a FREE Quote . Plus, regardless of the size and scope of your home improvement project, save money and keep your home clean with the top rated chemical free and concentrated Green Home Cleaning Products.
Home Improvement Basics:
When it comes to home improvement basics, look for interior home improvements like creating a clean, safe, and healthy home through sustainable ‘green’ furniture, home décor, zero VOC and Interior Paint, plus ENERGY STAR Appliances and Electronics. For energy and utility savings you can focus on insulation and air sealing, windows, doors, lighting and skylights, water saving plumbing opportunities, and high efficiency heating and air conditioning systems. On the outside of your house, look for exterior home improvement opportunities through landscape design and gardening plus solar energy, wind and other power sources. If you are undertaking a major home renovation, an additions, or building a new home, then take the lead to ‘go green’ in as many ways as possible to save money and the environment.
