Jim's Pond

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

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

Monday, December 7, 2015

Pondtastic and The Incredible Dr Pol

What an amazing experience the Pondtastic owners, Jim and Theresa had meeting the Incredible Dr Pol and his wife Diane of the famed NatGeo Wild show The Incredible Dr. Pol.

We had the pleasure of being in a small group of 15 people who had the opportunity to listen and ask questions of the Pol's. If you have ever seen the show you know how the two of them banter back and for. The same is true in real life, they are a fun couple. Following our small group session, Dr Pol was the keynote speaker at the 2015 Pondemonium event. This too was fun as he as has so many stories, he told about his early years in the Netherlands up to how his son encouraged and ultimately pitched the TV networks on the show concept that is now "The Incredible Dr Pol.

Through the friendships that were made with "The Pond Squad" stars back in 2013 the Pol's had there first ecosystem pond built by the "Pond Squad" and local Certified Aquascape Contractors in the Michigan area.

This was done on a rain cold Michigan fall day. The one day build turned out just beautiful.
This water garden then sparked Dr Pol's interest about his large earth bottom pond/lake. What could be done to keep it clean and have a natural look to it.

Fast forward to November 2015, Again the "Pond Squad" and a group of Certified Aquascape Contractors tackle the huge job of filtering and creating a natural waterfall that could be seen from the home when the Pol's sit out to drink their coffee in the morning.

These pictures do not even begin to show how beautiful this pond turned out. Click on the link below to watch how it all came together.

Pond Squad Episode #7 Dr Pol Pond Build

For more information on Dr Pol and his TV show "the Incredible Dr Pol" click on the link below

The Incredible Dr Pol

Pondtastic is Orlando's only Master Certified Aquascape Contractor

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

Jim and Theresa

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Waterfall Wednesday Backyard Retreat in Orlando, Florida

"Welcome to Shangri La"

When I first stepped into this backyard I did not feel like I was just a few miles from busy Downtown Orlando. This beautiful lanai has become a labor of love to create the perfect backyard retreat for this couple.

The first time we met, I spent an hour talking about Aquascape 8.0 Signature Series skimmers which doesn't sound exciting however it was very important for me to make sure that this Do It Yourself project was done correctly. I am very passionate about anything ponds, even boring filtration. Over the course of the time spent talking, a very loyal customer was born.

As I remember it took a long 4th of July weekend in 2011 to install the ecosystem pond with a little help from friends and family. The fish and plants were added and in a very short time they both were "Hooked on the Pond Lifestyle"

After the first year their fish were huge. As you can see they are very well fed, only the best of the best for these Koi.
Blackwater Creek Gold N by the 40lb bag.

Just about a year after the pond was built the homeowner noticed the shelves and rocks starting to fall into the pond. Each year we cleaned the pond we would do our best to re-stack the rocks but they continued to slide into the pond. Small round rock were used in most of the pond which by nature are easy to lift but difficult to stack.

In August of 2015 the Pondtastic crew arrived to rebuild "Tank and Friends" pond (Tank is the only Koi's name I remember).
New shelves were dug to handle the weight of larger boulders as well as it provides a place to add plants. The larger rocks also added character and functionality to the pond.

The pond is perfectly located as the focal point of this screened lanai. Although the footprint of the pond is exactly the same due to the hardscaping already installed. We think the new design makes the pond look bigger.

This backyard retreat has many features added by the homeowners that make it their little piece of paradise. From the commissioned hand carved garden fairy to the beautiful custom hand made wooden table, sign and bench.

The pond can be viewed from several beautiful seating areas around the lanai as well as from the Florida room.

I'm so grateful for the day that we chatted about skimmers because as the saying goes at Pondtastic

"We Build Friendships One Pond At A Time"

Enjoy the rest of these great views from this Backyard Retreat