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®!

Shopping at Pondtastic is REWARDING

Our customers love the Pondtastic Water Gardens Reward Program.

Why?

Well its simple... in the first year of the program we have given out over $7500 in Pondtastic Rewards

That gives us the opportunity to reward our loyal customers. We understand that you have a choice of where you do your shopping for pond supplies, fountains, koi, water treatments, aquatic plants, water lilies, statuary, wind chimes and more,  and we appreciate you making Pondtastic your choice.


Stop in and start saving! You will earn $10.00 for each 100.00 spent on eligible purchases.
Its EASY its FREE and it PAYS!



Now the small print stuff....

• After applying to the Rewards Program, a Membership Account will be opened and a Membership Number will be assigned to each applicant. Upon receiving this number, an individual becomes a Member eligible to earn Rewards.

• Rewards are accumulated by dollars spent on eligible purchases to the extent of $10.00 for each $100.00 spent.

• Eligible purchases include all retail items including but not limited to fish, plants, treatments, lights, filtration, fountains, pumps, chimes.

• Excluded purchases include but are not limited to: Installations, clean outs, maintenance, service calls, clearance items, consultations, pond inspections, and off site purchases.

• Wholesale customers and employees are not eligible for this program.

• Rewards become available 10 days after purchase and expire 30 days after issued.

• Rewards will be deducted for items returned. If rewards have been claimed for item being returned the return will be less the reward amount.

• Pondtastic has the sole discretion to interpret and apply the Program Rules, and all questions or disputes regarding these Program Rules will be resolved by the Company in its sole discretion.

• We intend this program to be a way of rewarding our most loyal customers.  We reserve the right to remove anyone from the program in the case of fraud or abuse involving the Rewards Program and forfeit any rewards earned.

• Only one 10.00 reward may be redeemed per visit. 

Pondtastic offers local artist and craftsmen a place to showcase their talents.

It doesn't take long for people to realize that Pondtastic is the kind of place that you have to visit regularly..

"We like to keep things fresh and new, and our selection and inventory is constantly changing" explained Jim, "we are always looking for pieces or products to compliment our clients outdoor areas or just add to the ambiance."

Local artist and craftsman are a great resource for these kinds items. 

 Wine Bottle Lanterns have been available in the Orlando location for about a year now and the reaction and response from customers is great. 

It is a simple idea really but what a great "repurpose" for old wine bottles.

They are made locally by a craftsman/artist and Pondtastic provides him an outlet for his product. 

If you haven't seen them yet...    Hurry in!

Looking for something unique, one of a kind, locally produced artwork?  Well you have got to see the newest additions at Pondtastic.

These are copper sculptures in the shapes of butterflies, seahorses, flowers, fish, dragonflies and more.

All made right here by local craftsmen/artists, the prices are very reasonable and the possibilities are endless.  Some even have multicolored LED lights!

There are even a few falling leaf style fountains to select from... really cool stuff!

Stop in today... Pondtastic wants to be your destination for your outdoor needs!

Orlando Certified Aquascape Contractor, Pondtastic Water Gardens shares views on water features ...

What is a water feature?

At first you might think that is a simple question that could easily be answered in a few words.

But my hope is that after reading this you will have a new appreciation of the REAL question and the answer.

You see, a water feature is according to Wikipedia:      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_feature

a water feature is one or more items from a range of fountains, pools, ponds, cascades, waterfalls, and streams.

.... but to us it is really much more.

On my office wall I have a quote by Loran Eisely:

If there is magic on this planet, it is contained in Water

I have seen the magic of water with my own eyes...

• I have seen the intense emotion from a child with downs syndrome when he sits and watches the fish in our display pond and listens to the waterfall.
• I have seen the faces of the families as they sit searching for peace and answers by our pond at the Give Kids the World Village.
• I have seen grandchildren smile and run to see the pond at gram and gramps house and see how their favorite fish is looking.
• I have seen friends as they sit by our pond in rough times with tears in their eyes.
• I have seen teenage boys reconnect with nature... not a video game version , the real thing!
• I have seen my nieces go flying through the house headed to the pond every time they visit.
• I have seen couples sitting and smiling on more waterfalls than I can count.
• I have seen a bench moved closer so a husband can see and hear the waterfall better.
• I have seen friends smile, laugh, woot and holler as I held a friends hand and walked her into the pond to play with our fish.
• I have seen a husbands eyes fill with tears as he remembers the love of his life.
• I have seen a mother on her hands and knees with her children at the edge of the pond talking with their new fish.

I could go on and on....

What is a water feature?

Well to us it is much more than a fountain, pool, pond, cascade, waterfall, or stream.

I don't think it can be said better than it is said here by our good friend Scott Hammond.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQZyBhdPm0o

I encourage you to watch this video...

to us it is gold......

Small Water Features really making a splash in Orlando area

We have said for quite a while now that there is a water feature for every person and every budget and we have really seen that this past year.

We have seen a significant rise in the interest in "mid level " features. I think it is mainly due to the increase in available /cost effective options. We have seen several manufactures begin producing quality reproductions of features that were once out of most peoples budget.

Aquascape Inc is among the leaders in recognizing this trend. Last year we saw the release of several small resin features that a homeowner could easily install with price points of under $150.

That was followed by the release of the Aquarock series which  simplified the install of a small water feature down to the size of a 5 gallon bucket ...  ( literally) for around the same price point.





The biggest impact for us at Pondtastic and the Orlando market has been the release of the Slate Stacked Urn. They took a beautiful piece that was hand made by our friends Brian Helfrich and Bj Linger and produced a  fiberglass stone composite that has all the natural beauty of real rock with the added durability and light weight of fiberglass, at a fraction of the original cost!

Great story on the Urn can be read here :
http://www.aquascapeinc.com/contractors/index.php?page=articles&a_id=106


 Available in 3 sizes this piece is a definite hit with our customers here in the Orlando area



Look at these Pondtastic Water Gardens Projects in our Facebook Albums.


http://www.facebook.com/album.php?id=44007117275&aid=283165
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=192871&id=44007117275
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=191286&id=44007117275



We are looking forward to what 2011 has to offer in affordable water feature options.

Thanks for reading!

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!