Waterfall Wednesday from Groveland, Florida

This weeks Waterfall Wednesday feature is the focal point of this large Groveland, Fl courtyard.
Guest are drawn to cross the custom built bridge and are often stopping as they cross to interact with the koi swimming about. You get the feeling of being closed off from the world as you sit and relax at this pond.

The home owners had just taken possession of their new custom built home so we had no sod to remove and no trees or shrubs to work around.
Just think no grass to mow in this area.

Big boulders were used to add character as well as to add scale and dimension to the waterfall, we  didn't want it to "get lost" up against the courtyard wall.


Several upgrades were added to this pond oasis to reduce time and maintenance for the home owners.
2 waterfall Biofalls were added for additional flow and filtration. An Iongen system was added to reduce the amount of algae growth on the rocks. Aeration was added to increase oxygen levels in the pond.
Upgraded lighting was added both inside and outside the pond.
2 pumps were installed to give maximum flow over the falls, and a UV system was installed in insure clear water at all times.

The pond looks and sounds amazing.
Due to the location of the pond being in the courtyard, the walls "trap" the sound inside.
When the windows are open the sound travels through the entire home.

If you are considering a water feature at your home, look no further than Orlando's only Master Certified Aquascape contractor. Big or small Pondtastic Water Gardens can design a water feature to enhance any Central Florida landscape. CONTACT US to set up a free phone consultation so we can help you design your custom water feature today

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

Pond Charity Build Featured on Pond Squad

Several months ago Pond Squad started airing their latest episodes of their pond reality TV series.
The shows feature ponds all over the US and Mexico.
Haven't seen all the episodes? You can view them on our  Pondtastic Facebook page.


Jim and I are personal friends with the stars of the show and many of the pond companies featured in the shows. This episode features our friend's at Pondscapes Az, they organized this build for Sunshine Acres Children's Home in Azizona.

I posted this when this episode was released however I spent a few days with Alison last month and I was reminded of how AMAZING our friends are for organizing such a special project.


Enjoy!!

Pond Renovation Is It Time?

Have you sat out at your pond or waterfall and thought this needs work?

What is the difference between pond renovations vs. pond repair?  

Even though they sound similar, they are quite different. To repair something means fixing or replacing a part that is broken or not working. Whereas, a renovation is a complete overhaul and redo, resulting in a practically brand new water feature.

What renovation work can I have done? 

This is the perfect opportunity to change anything you don't like, and address any issues. You could install lighting, upgrade your filtration, increase pump size, add fish caves. Maybe you want to make the pond larger, or add another waterfall.
In the last 5 years there are many new technologies developed that help reduce maintenance and enhance the enjoyment of the water feature that can be added.

Who gets pond renovations?
Our pond renovation work comes from Pondtastic pond owners who want to increase the size of their ecosystem pond. Homeowners who did not have a Certified Aquascape Contractor build the pond, instead they had a landscaper  build the pond and it is not the pond they had hoped for.
Often pond renovations come from new homeowners who don't know their pond's history and want to incorporate their own ideas into their backyard paradise.

How much does it cost? 

We have done renovations from $5,000 all the way up to $85,000

So are you ready for a renovation to be done on your pond or waterfall? 

Contact Orlando's only Master Certified Aquascape Contractor

Please go to our CONTACT US page at www.pondtastic.com

We will begin with a FREE phone consultation upon receipt of your contact form DON'T forget to attach your pictures.

** All Onsite design consultations are $120.00

 Begin enjoying your pond again!

 

Keep Your Koi Safe From Predators

As we all look forward to enjoying Central Florida's cooler temperatures in the months ahead we need to be proactive when it comes to protecting our koi fish from predators.

A few simple additions to your backyard pond can save your beloved koi.

 Know your enemies
While there are many predators that love to eat fish we really only have a few that cause problems in the Central Florida area.

For the raccoon, you have to first remember he doesn’t mind getting his hands wet, however he does not want to get his entire body wet so it is not likely swim to catch a fish. The design of the pond plays a big role in the safety of your koi. A plant shelf that is too shallow will help him snag a fish every time.

The Florida Great White Egret and the Blue Heron are much more of a challenge to deal with. They are very crafty and smart birds and you should not underestimate them.
These two birds tend to be more of a concern in our winter months. As the lake fish swim deeper in the cooler months it becomes more difficult to get fish from the lakes. They then often find their way into our backyard ponds.

How to protect your koi

There are many methods available to keep them or scare them away from your pond – from plastic heron statue replicas to floating alligator decoys and motion-activated sprinkler. Often ponds are netted to prevent the unwanted predator from entering the pond.
These options all offer varying levels of success for every water garden hobbyist.  

How Decoys Work
Your first defense is to use a decoy of some sort, whether it is heron or alligator decoy. They work better if you keep moving them around the pond to fool the heron into thinking they are real. Herons would rather not feed in the same water as an alligator, and if they see that another bird has staked out your backyard already, they are more likely to move on to the next available spot. The trick is to move the decoy about every three days in the winter and spring and every couple of weeks in the summer.

Fingers Crossed

The most important thing to remember is to have fun with your fish, and to remember that all of these occurrences are case specific. You may never see a heron or raccoon in your backyard.

Pondtastic Is Named 2015 Top Frog

Pondtastic is a 2015 Top Frog

Pondtastic Water Gardens left the blazing temperatures of Orlando, Fl to enjoy a breezy week in St Charles IL. for our annual pond conference. 

Pondemonium is the water gardening industry's premier annual training event for contractors, retailers, and distributors. Certified Aquascape Contractors from around the world travel to this yearly event. 

This is a time where we connect with the best of the best in the water garden world, hear inspirational keynote speakers and learn the newest technologies.

This year Pondtastic Water Gardens is ranked #20 in the Construction and Retail category. We are honored to have received this Top Frog Award!