Is passion worth paying for?

ONE persons PASSION is better than forty people merely interested. - E.M Forster

As we begin the construction of a project that I have been working on for about two and a half years.

That's a long time right?

I sure think it is, and we make jokes about how long it has been from the first time we spoke about this project but this project really shows how I feel about what I do.

I believe that at Pondtastic Water Gardens we have a passionate team of individuals that  professionally create living works of art. I believe that there are very few people that can do what we do to the level that we do it.

Can others see that passion..... some can , some can't.

When people make a choice to hire anyone for anything... is passion a determining factor?

I am not any different than any of you that are reading this.. I have to make purchasing decisions also.

I look at the same things you do..... cost, experience, references, completion time, etc.... but does passion enter into the equation?  should it?

Absolutely without a doubt yes !

Can you have a passionate auto mechanic? would it make a difference?
Can you have a passionate plumber ? would it make a difference?

I believe that anyone who loves what they do will do it better. I believe that  people will do the extra for the satisfaction of doing the job properly and not just doing enough to get by.


It wasn't until I had the opportunity to really watch my team interact with our customers that I really saw this.

Sometimes I will be sitting in my office working away and kind of eavesdropping on conversations taking place on the phone... it is great to hear the passion in voices of our staff. Can others hear it?

Sometimes we will be out on a pond build and I will watch one of our team search for the perfect rock to finish off the edge of the pond.. stand back and look at it ... pull it out and get a different one. Could they have left that rock there and started to work on something else?  Sure ! But he had a vision of what he wanted it to look like and he wasn't going to settle for anything less.

That's passion ... That's what you get when you pay for passion... You get a team of people that care,  that are concerned that will go above and beyond every chance they have. A team of people that take ownership!

So is passion worth paying for?



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, 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.

Waterfall Wednesday in Orlando, Florida

What an amazing view these home owners have as they look out into their Orlando, backyard.


The week that this pond was built was unlike any we've ever had. We started construction on a Monday and the excitement was building as the week went on, not only for the homeowners to see their completed water, stream and koi pond but because they were expecting their first child any day.

Friday finally came and the pond was completed, pictures were taken, lots of pictures.
Even more pictures were taken over the weekend as the happy parents welcomed their beautiful daughter into the world.

Today this koi pond is the focal point of this backyard with Jumbo koi that now call this pond home.
This gorgeous outdoor room has now seen many family gathering and great parties.

Years of enjoyment are yet ahead for this great family as they enjoy their piece of paradise.

Watching Koi Fish Is Good for Your Health

Have you ever noticed that many Dr. offices and Dentist offices often have aquariums in them?

           “Fish tanks and displays are often associated with attempts at calming patients in doctors' surgeries and dental waiting rooms," said PhD student Deborah Cracknell.
Watching fish and marine creatures going about their daily lives, swimming and meandering is oddly soothing and hypnotic. And, according to research recently published in Environment & Behavior, it’s good for your health too.

I for one have spent many hours at our water garden pond watching my koi fish in an effort to relax.
Like you, I wear many hats in my daily life; I need the quiet time to transition from my workday at Pondtastic, to being Mom and Wife. I go to the pond armed with koi food and a glass of wine.

Like many pets our koi are happy to know Mom is home and the feeding frenzy begins. To me this is more comical than relaxing, many of our Koi are hand fed and that means I’m getting wet as they swim and splash like crazy to get their food.
Once they have eaten I sit on my huge rock (thanks Jim) that’s when the relaxing really begins.

My favorite fish in the pond are my butterfly koi, as their extra-long fins gracefully float by I can feel their calming effect. Of course I love my standard koi as well; they glide through the pond always looking for more food. Baby koi grant us with the occasional glimpse as the swim in and out of the aquatic plants.

After watching my koi for about 20 or 30 minutes I’m ready to switch hats and finish the night.

Is my health better? I think so; my resting heart rate is lower and I feel relaxed.
That’s good enough for me.

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!

Tell a story !

Recently Seth Godin wrote in his daily blog:

People are moved by stories...

It took a minute for this is sink in before I realized how true that statement really is and the impact it has had on our business.

If you know us at all, you know that we love a good story !

It doesn't really matter what it is about we love sharing our lives and experiences with our friends/ customers.

I think that because of this our customers/friends enjoy sharing their stories with us.

We like to say that "we build friendships one pond at a time " and that attitude carries thru our entire staff.

We have been invited to many of our customers/friends weddings , birthdays, BBQs, Christmas parties, etc... We are so thankful that our customers/friends invite us into their lives.

We love sharing stories and we love hearing stories... got a good one to share?  Send us an email and let us know.
Info@pondtastic.com

Pondtastic Travels to Chicago's Pondemonium Event.

From August 5th - 7th, distributors, contractors, and retailers from across the country will come together in Chicago for an event designed to help educate, learn and inspire professional water garden businesses.

We look forward to this event each year and with a theme focused on returning to our roots and getting back to basics this year is no different.
 
 This year's Pondemonium® focuses on the core business of the water garden industry and will provide classes, hands-on builds, and networking events.

The workshops on advanced pond building techniques, new water garden filtering products, and the latest technologies in maintenance and repair will only help us to serve our customers better and provide you all with exceptional service.

Holy Heatwave Batman...

Well not really but as the summer months approach we can expect a warm summer here in Central Florida. Our outdoor ponds are going to face a tough year if we don't take some preventative steps now.

In Orlando we had the worst winter we have experienced in 13 years (that's what the weatherman said anyways)and that means that most of us have lost a great deal of the aquatic plants we have nurtured for years.

These plants are important to the health of your pond and we need to replace them as soon as possible.

Why are they so important?
Aquatic plants play a vitial role in the nitrogen cycle of your pond.
They provide shelter for your fish.
They compete with algae for nutrients in the water.
They filter the water by converting fish waste into plant food.

Get the idea why they are important?  And I haven't even started talking about the beneficial oxygen they provide and what that means to your pond.

Have more questions about aquatic plants?  Come see us on April 9th and 10th for Water Garden Weekend,  100s of aquatic plants available ... over 30 varieties.


Don't Miss It !

Next Blog........ Beneficial Bacteria and what it means to your pond !

rain rain and more rain

Well today is our last day of preparation for Customer Appreciation Day . This has been a very challenging week. We had alot of new items come in and 6 truck loads of trees!  Yeah you heard me right.. Trees !

We have gone into the tree business also. We figured it is a great addition to the pond business. We can offer our customers an instant landscape.

Hey we have to staff,trucks and equipment .. why not right?

More than anything else there is a demand in this area for quality trees and reasonable prices.

But today we have had nothing but rain rain rain ! It is making it miserable to work outdoors.  Our guys are troopers thou... they are all out there in the cold and the rain getting everything ready for tomorrow!

I just watched the weather report and the rain is suppose to go away soon.. and be clear tomorrow and we are happy about that.

Jim