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

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

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 and Theresa

Longwood Backyard Retreat

This Longwood, Florida backyard feels like you are on a mountain retreat. It's like you are miles away from the construction on the highway and the traffic from less than a mile away can't even be heard. Instead, you hear birds chirping and the rustling of leaves as squirrels chase each other around the tree.
Even the Florida temperatures are shielded from the large trees that provide cooling shade.
This is paradise!

One must walk the  paths to discover the start of the 35' stream nestled among lush Florida landscaping. This stream features 3 areas where the water crashes and falls into the next elevation change. Water bubbling and gurgling down the stream invites you to sit on a large rock and put your feet in to cool down. Again, making you feel that you are anywhere but in busy Central Florida.

This beautiful Oasis has many features added to make this as low maintenance as possible to maximize time to relax and enjoy the koi and be one with nature.











This ecosystem pond is 11'x16' with a 35' stream, features 2 Aquasurge 5000 pumps, 8.0 skimmer filter with large basket to capture any flowing debris. The start of the waterfall is another filter, a Signature Series 2500 biofalls. Added oxygen is provided by a 40 liter aeration system, oxygen is always great for the koi and it helps slow the growth of algae in the pond.
Algae growth is also slowed by the use of an Aquascape IonGen which does a really nice job combating string algae. The water quality is maintained by adding Beneficial Bacteria weekly is digest the organics in the pond. An ultra violet light was installed to supplement in the hottest part of the summer when we have daily rain and it's 98°. This light will kill any algae that passed in from of it.
Pond lighting was installed so that this paradise can be enjoyed in the evenings also. 

After the pond was constructed Adam with Lanai Hardscape Company added walkways and additional seating areas along with lush Florida landscaping to give this yard a completed look.


The yard has so many great little areas with hidden treasures and the pond has become the focal point of this backyard.





There are so many breathtaking views and vantage points from which to enjoy this pond.
At times this homeowner said "it's difficult to work from my home office, I'm always looking out the office window at the pond"
Entertaining on their Florida room now comes with it's own waterfall soundtrack.
The bistro seating along the stream is a great place to enjoy a refreshing beverage and let the worries of the day seem so far away.


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.