How Many Ponds Will You Have in Central Florida?

How many ponds will you have? Typically most pond owners end up with 3 ponds. This Central Florida family is no exception.


This blog begins on a very hot Orlando summer day in 2009 at Pondtastic Water Gardens Build A Pond Day.
15 homeowners gathered to learn how to build an 8'x10' ecosystem pond.









Homeowners built the entire pond under the direction of Pondtastic owner Jim.

Pond #1

After this tiring and informative day these Orlando homeowners decided that they did not want to build the pond themselves but rather wanted the Certified Aquascape Contractors at Pondtastic to remove their first pond which was a preformed hard plastic pond. This first pond was enjoyable at first however the time had come for a natural looking ecosystem pond to be built.

The one week construction began in early October 2009. The perfect area was selected so that the pond could be viewed from multiple areas as well as enhance their Central Florida landscape.


After learning about the different sizes in skimmers and biofalls and pumps at the Build A Pond class these informed customers decided to upgrade their filtration and pumps.

We always love the excitement
 of new pond owners and this couple was no exception.
Each time we saw them after the pond was built for the next several years they seems just as excited and in love with their pond as they were the first time the waterfall was turned on.

Pond # 2

Retirement is a very exciting time in anyone's life, and the countdown had begun for these two educators.
We were contacted to once again rebuild another pond.
The plans for a dream backyard with entertaining areas and a larger pond was set into motion.






This time a larger 11'x16' ecosystem pond was designed to accommodate the koi and have a wow waterfall.

                                                                   

Pond # 3

Again, the excitement with this couple is so infectious.
The goal was to have the pond finished in time for a big retirement and anniversary party.




These pond owners are another great example of our motto
"We build friendships one pond at a time"





As you can see from the pictures below they had the perfect back drop for their party.



Congratulations on your retirement!

Jim , Theresa & the Pondtastic Crew                           

                                                                                

 How Many Ponds Will You Have?

Why have a Certified Aquascape Contractor build your pond? Listen to Ed from Aquascape explain why.

How to make your dream a reality?
If you’re considering adding a water feature to your home, CONTACT US for a free phone consultation. We can provide you with details and options for your particular design and budget. 

Pondtastic is Orlando's only Master Certified Aquascape Contractor

Pondtastic serves all Central Florida Counties Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Lake, Polk and Brevard.








Jim & Theresa

Pondtastic Water Gardens of Orlando Installs the Aquascape Pond Ecosystem

Ecosystem Ponds

Ecosystem ponds can be easy to understand, At Pondtastic Water Gardens, we have complete knowledge of what components go into a basic, or advanced functioning ecosystem. An ecosystem pond works with Mother Nature to provide food, shelter, and safety to the wildlife around it. It also provides you with an all-natural, low-maintenance piece of paradise. It’s important to remember, however, that every piece of the ecosystem puzzle must be present in order for a true ecosystem to be in place. Eliminate one of these elements and you’ve got an unbalanced ecosystem that won’t be so low-maintenance anymore. Check out the things you’ll need to get your ecosystem pond fired up:

Circulation System is really just a fancy way of saying “pumps and plumbing.” The proper size pump and pipe diameter are extremely important for the aesthetics of a water feature. More importantly, an efficient circulation system keeps the water moving and provides the necessary oxygen levels for healthy fish and plants.

Proper Filtration System includes the use of both a biological and a mechanical filter. A biological filter provides surface area for beneficial bacteria to colonize and remove excess nutrients from the water. A mechanical filter will not only pre-filter the water and house the pump; it will also skim debris from the water’s surface to prevent the accumulation of organic materials on the pond floor.

Fish are an integral part of any ecosystem. Unfortunately, fish are often seen as creating a maintenance nightmare. Contrary to popular belief, fish will actually reduce pond maintenance, as they graze on string algae and bottom feed from the pond floor.

Aquatic Plants are Mother Nature’s true filters. Plants are great for adding character to a pond by providing color and texture, but from a filtration perspective, they’re second to none. Thriving from the excess nutrients in a pond and depriving algae of its food source, the aquatic plants in a water garden, given proper coverage, are critical for the overall health of the ecosystem.


Rocks, Gravel, and Bacteria have been a controversial element in the hobby for many years. Many enthusiasts have steered away from rocks and gravel out of fear that their system will become a maintenance nightmare. On the contrary, rocks and gravel will not only make your pond look more natural, they will also protect pond liners from UV light degradation and they provide tremendous surface area for beneficial bacteria to break down excess nutrients in the water and dissolved organic debris on the pond floor.

Having all these things in place makes all the difference in the health and success of your water garden. Use them and work with Mother Nature, not against her, for a chemical-free wonderland of water! The truth is that most people opt for the ecosystem way of water gardening because it’s easier and it just makes sense. A low-maintenance ecosystem pond provides you with more free time to enjoy friends and family … while gathered around your pond, of course!

Pondtastic Water Gardens installs the Aquascape Pondless Waterfall System

 
Pondless® Waterfall

Pondless® Waterfalls are simply a re-circulating waterfall and/or stream without the presence of a pond.  You can enjoy the sight and sound of running water without the maintenance of a pond.
     The waterfall is undoubtedly the most beautiful and favored feature in a water garden. If space is lacking in your yard or you have safety concerns with a pond, go Pondless®! The name basically explains it all. It’s a waterfall and stream, without the pond. So why would you want a waterfall without a pond? The truth is that a Pondless® Waterfall isn’t for everyone, but it can be a great alternative for someone who isn’t quite sure if a pond is right for their family.

Safety
Because there is no pool of water, a Pondless® Waterfall is a great option if you are concerned about safety issues associated with a traditional pond.


Cost
Cost can be a big factor when considering the type of pond you want to build. In most cases, the price of a Pondless® waterfall will be less than a pond, because there is less labor involved, as well as less rock and materials. Operating costs are also less. Because you’re not dealing with an established ecosystem, it’s not necessary to run the pump 24/7.

The Aquasurge pump is a great choice more most pondless waterfalls.
  


Space
The small size of the Pondless® Waterfall means you can build and enjoy a beautiful waterfall anywhere in you yard.
Maintenance - Taking care of your Pondless® Waterfall is easy. Filling the reservoir every few weeks to compensate for water loss because of evaporation is all that’s required.

Flexibility
Perhaps the best part of the Pondless® Waterfall is the possibility for the future. If you change your mind later, wishing you’d build a pond, that’s ok! If you leave enough room around the base of the waterfall, it’s easy to add a pond onto a Pondless® Waterfall.

Complete System
It might be difficult to imagine a waterfall and stream without a pond. Where does the water go? A Pondless® Waterfall works much like a regular pond. The hole, deeper than a normal pond, is dug then lined with rock and gravel, and filled with water. The water is then circulated from beneath the rocks and gravel by a pump that sits on the bottom, inside a Snorkel™ Vault. A pipe runs from there up to a BioFalls™ Filter or Waterfall Spillway and into an overflowing waterfall, where it falls back into the reservoir. Since the water level never pools above the level of the rock and gravel fill, it give the appearance of a waterfall without a pond, when in fact, the “pond” is there but not visible.




     The Pondless® Waterfall has made many water-lovers who were previously unable to indulge in the sweet sounds of falling water, very happy. It’s a great alternative for those who are trying to get their feet wet, or looking to fit a little bit of paradise into their own backyard. In other words, when all else fails … go Pondless®!

New Product Review ** Aquascape Pondless Spillway

I guess we were good boys and girls here this year because Santa has sent us some new product to test, explore and experiment with. We are really excited about this new entry into the water feature market for several reasons.

• Compact design allows us much more flexibility in designing and building breathtaking waterfalls
• Durable construction allows us to actually place these into the waterfall and place large rocks on top of them .. versatility is cool!
• Thru- liner bulkhead allows us the option of placing the connection lines inside or outside the liner without the addition of another bulkhead

We couldn't wait to get these spillways installed and we were not disappointed in the results.  These are a great option for pondless waterfalls or secondary falls on an ecosystem pond.

o yeah I almost forgot the best part.....

This product represents a savings to our customers! The price point on these of $120.00 they are a great value against the signature series biofalls  ($459) and even the microfalls ($260).

Keep in mind not every product fits every application but for what we can see, the Aquascape Waterfall Spillway is a winner!

Do the butterflies ever go away ?

Today we spent the majority of our day preparing for an event tomorrow here at our Orlando location. This " Build A Pond" seminar/class/event is something that we have done as a team many, many times and the subject we are teaching... well lets just say we are pretty good at it.

But I still find myself running around double checking and  crossing off items on an never ending to do list and having this feeling in my stomach. You know what I am talking about right?... the nervous stomach?

I know that tomorrow will be a GREAT day .

Tomorrow we get to share with people who are eager to learn.
Tomorrow we get to start people towards enjoying the pond lifestyle. 
Tomorrow we get to create Paradise !

But for some reason I still have butterflies.......