| Decorate (Pond Accessories - Fountain - Spitters)
After the pond is built the real fun begins. There are countless styles and looks you can
create with your pond. Create a natural
waterscape with plants, fish, and turtles.
A contemporary patio pond can be simple with a fountain affect as the
focal point. A playful approach can
include whimsical spitters and fog lighting. |
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| Clean (Pond Algae -
Water Treatment)
Maintaining a healthy biological balance in a self-contained
pond used to be difficult and time consuming.
We have focused our engineering department on creating products that are
easy to use and produce optimal results.
After you choose the right pump for your pond, select a filter and
clarifying system. Your mechanical
system can also be reinforced with a variety of safe, non-toxic water
treatments that balance the eco-system and protect your plants and fish. |
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| Flow - Choose the Right Pump and Tubing
You should keep the water moving in both large and small ponds and water features to maintain clean, beautiful water and a healthy, balanced environment for fish and plants. Pumps prevent stagnant waters that can lead to bad odors and mosquitoes nesting in your pond. Choose a Total Pond pump that matches your water feature and your individual needs. Our combination pumps and kits combine different elements, costs less than buying each piece separately, and may combine pumps, filters and clarifiers on one electrical cord.
Electricity and water do not mix, so extra care should be taken when installing pumps and other electrical equipment. Some cities require lines to be installed by a licensed electrician. It’s a good idea to place the outlet at least four feet away from your pond but no more than 100 feet for optimal energy efficiency.
Fountain Pumps
Fountain pumps are compact and easily fit into corners and niches of fountains and smaller water features. Pumps must stay submerged while in operation so the smaller size of fountain pumps allows them to fit into smaller water features. Our pumps are all built with the cutting edge magnetic drive motors for energy efficiency and include an adjustable flow control so you can modify your pump to match your fountain’s size and affects.
If your fountain is in a windy, hot, or arid area, consider a pump with our patented low water shut off feature. This prevents the pump from burning out when water levels drop. This is also a popular feature for owners that leave their fountains running when they are away.
Pond Pumps
Our pond pumps are designed with an energy smart hybrid drive motor that circulates the water almost silently. Once the pump is placed into the pond and turned on, it is almost maintenance free. Match your pond pump to a pre-filter or inline filter system for optimal performance. Choose a pump that will turn half of the pond’s total water volume in one hour. For example, if your pond holds 500 gallons of water you should choose a pump with a GPH (Gallons Per Hour) rating of 250 or more. All of our pumps have an adjustable flow control so you can move the water at various rates.
Waterfall Pumps
Our waterfall pumps have high performance, wet bearing motors capable of moving large amounts of water to create dynamic affects. These powerful motors are energy efficient and are designed for quiet performance so you can enjoy the sounds of flowing water, not the buzz of the motor. Remember, waterfall pumps must be submerged during operation.
Tubing
All pumps must be connected with tubing. It’s important to choose non-toxic tubing that is designed for outdoor use in your pond or fountain. Water gardening tubing is durable and safe for fish and plants. Tubing is not included with pumps and other equipment and must be ordered separately. Read the product description to choose right size for your pump. After your pond is set up, occasionally check the hoses and change them if you notice any major wear, cracks, or tears. If you notice a sudden drop in water levels, check your hoses first. Also check if the tubing is pinched by any rocks.
After you choose the right pump, move to the next section to find compatible filters and clarifiers. We will also discuss water treatment products to use in conjunction with your pump and filter systems so you can keep your pond and fountains crystal clear. |
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| Fill (Pond Size - Liners - Dig)
Once you’ve chosen your location, picked a design and prepared the site, it is time to start digging. Here are the basic steps for digging the hole and laying the liner.
Measuring the hole
Mark the general shape of the pond with a rope or hose. Outline the actual pond with paint or builders chalk. If you are using pre-formed liners, dig the hole about a foot wider than the liner. If you are using a liner the hole will be the actual size of the pond.
How to choose a liner
In order to contain your pond you will need some sort of liner. Pre-formed liners retain their shape and are generally easier to install. They are a good choice for smaller ponds and first time pond builders. Pre-formed ponds can also be used for two tiered ponds.
Pond Skins and EPDM heavy weight liners are used for free formed ponds. Pond Skins are light weight and therefore easier to handle. They are designed with a nylon mesh between layers of PVC material. This gives our 14.5 mil pond skins the same strength as regular 20mil liners. Our EPDM heavy duty liners are recommended for ponds with stone or concrete retaining walls or a rocky foundation. Pond liners should be made especially for water gardens. PVC material used for construction is imbued with toxins which can harm or kill your fish and plants.
Pond liners should be bought as a single liner. Liners come in several sizes so order a liner that is slightly larger than the hole. You can cut it down if necessary. Don’t try to splice two pieces together; this can lead to leaking.
Digging the hole
REMEMBER before you dig to call your utility company and have someone come out to mark buried utilities. You will also want to turn off any nearby private lines the utility company may not mark, such as a gas line run to your outdoor grill.
Water is naturally level. If the sides of the pond are uneven, the water will look crooked. You can adjust the sides of you pond by using steaks and a leveling tool. Measure from several directions to insure even sides all the way around.
If your pond is in an area with a high water table, you might need to dig a drainage trench to prevent ground water from pushing the pond’s membrane up from the ground. In most cases a few inches of gravel spread evenly across the bottom of the hole, then covered with sand is enough to handle ground water. If your water table is especially high, drainage trenches should be placed along the edges of the pond walls to draw away ground waters.
Your pond should be 18” or deeper if it is in a region with freezing weather or if you are planning on including certain fish or plants in the pond. Some fish, like koi, need even deeper depths. Smaller and medium size ponds should have very little slope along the walls to create a natural look and prevent a lump or bulge along the edge once the pool is finished.
A deeper pond has a few other benefits worth noting. The water temperature is cooler towards the bottom and this is good for fish during hot summer months. A deep pond also provides shelter for fish from predators.
Plant shelves provide a ledge for plants to rest upon and be easily seen. Many pre-formed liners include plant shelves in the design. If you are using a pond skin or EPDM liner a step along the edge can be dug as a plant shelf.
Laying the Liner
Once the hole is dug, place the liner into the hole. Fill in the soil along the edge of the pre-formed liner. If you are using a pond skin or EPDM liner allow the edge to overlap onto the ground. The liner can be secured with rocks, shale, or other natural material.
After your hole is dug, drainage is in place, and the liner is laid and secured, you’ll be ready to fill the pond with water. It’s time to set up the pump and filter systems.
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| Pond Building Guide
(For Build a Pond Section)
The most important part of building a pond or water feature occurs before you start digging. Thoughtful planning will result in a look you’ll be proud to show-off. It will also help you avoid many time consuming and costly problems. Ponds come in many styles, sizes, and varieties. You can create a natural waterfall that blends almost seamlessly with your landscape or a formal pool with classic fountain. Ponds can have a classic, contemporary, organic, or cutting edge style. Water features can be a very small pool of water incorporated into your garden or a dynamic multi-leveled set of ponds and waterfalls.
Let your imagination be your guide, but you should also take other factors into consideration. Your location, climate conditions, community, architecture, and the purpose of the pond, all have a role in creating your pond. Take a few minutes to consider these factors when choosing the location and design. Finally prepare your site and make sure everything is in place before you begin to dig.
Location – Your pond is a complete eco-system that literally takes on a life of its own. Keep this in mind as you choose the right place.
Try to balance the pond with the rest of your landscape. You might want to draw a map of your property and consider the overall look.
Water plants need at least 4 hours of sunshine each day. If you’re planning on a water garden, remember to look for the sun.
If possible, choose a place away from trees and other plants with invasive root systems. Roots can spread under the lining and cause damage. If the pond is surrounded by trees, you might also have a problem with falling leaves blocking your pump and filter in the autumn. Leaves also decompose into toxins that are harmful to fish.
Windy areas should also be avoided. Strong winds can harm some plants and make certain fountain affects impossible. If you are in a windy area, consider constructing a wind barrier or creating a wind breaker out of bushes or other living features.
Utilize natural slopes for waterfalls and assess how the rain runoff will flow. You want good drainage that will not damage any existing architecture.
Design - After you choose a location, it’s time to design your pond. How you plan on using your pond will help you determine many design aspects.
Are you in a cold climate? If your area freezes during the winter make sure your pond is at least 18” deep.
Would you like Koi swimming in your pond? Gold fish are OK in shallow depths, but Koi usually needs a deeper pond.
Are you planning on planting a water garden? Remember plants require more care and need at least 4 hours of sun. Formal fountains with water displays may not be conducive to certain plants such as water lilies.
Do you want a yard or patio pond? Ponds built near the house often have a modern look and may include fountains. Less is more. If you prefer a very natural pond that merges with the environment, you may want to place it a smart distance from your home.
Did you take safety into consideration? If you are in an urban area or if young children have access to your yard, make sure to build fences and barriers into your design.
Final Preparations – After you choose the place and look for your pond or fountain, make sure to finish the logistics before you begin.
Although ponds are usually not included in the regulations covering swimming pools, check to see if your water feature is compliant with subdivision rules or city ordinances.
Check your home insurance policy.
There may be underground wires or pipes. Contact your local utilities before you dig.
Unless you are a contractor or electrician, it’s a good idea to hire a licensed professional to do any electrical wiring your project may require.
The planning stage is really a lot of fun. There are many great books and landscaping sites to help you explore different styles and designs. Make sure to look through our site and call our customer service experts if you have questions or need help with this planning stage. Once you pick the look, you’ll be ready to start digging and laying down the liner. |
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Build a Pond
