The Top 10 Design FAQs and Answers to Them

1. Q: Where should I locate my garden pond?
A: As a general rule, you should locate your pond as close to your viewing area as you can get. Typically, ponds are situated in the yard so you can enjoy the pond from both inside and outside. Right off of your deck or patio is ideal.

2. Q: Where should I avoid locating my garden pond?
A: The last place your pond should go is in the back corner of your lot. It will be much easier to enjoy if you don’t have to walk all the way across your yard to see it, listen to it, and to feed your finely finned friends.

3. Q: Can I excavate deeper than two feet with my garden pond?
A: Yes, but why would you want to? There is very little difference in oxygen levels at 3’ deep. If you go deeper, however, then you’ll need supplemental filtration. Then you’re looking at more cost for liner, underlayment, rocks and labor, etc. If you go deeper, you could also risk being in conflict with local BOCA codes. Conflicts can usually be avoided by sticking with a 24-inch deep pond.

4. Q: What type of rocks can I use in my garden pond?
A: Usually the only rock that has been known to cause problems is limestone. We suggest that you avoid limestone and use a rock that is native (indigenous) or natural to the local environment. Also, if you use rock that you’re familiar with, your building technique will become increasingly efficient.

5. Q: Are rocks and gravel absolutely necessary in my garden pond?
Te be honest there is a whole segment of the water gardening industry (those who show koi) who are absolutely opposed to rocks and gravel in the pond. But for most water garden enthusiasts who are just looking to relax in the midst of Mother Nature, having rocks and gravel duplicates what the fish are used to in their natural environment.

6. Q: Will my pond attract frogs, birds, and dragonflies?
A: If you build it right …they will come. And all three are signs of a healthy and naturally balanced aquatic ecosystem/water garden/garden pond.

7. Q: How high should the waterfall be?
A: You always want to keep your waterfall to scale with the grade. For example, you should probably avoid building a 5’ high waterfall in a flat backyard because, odds are it will look very unnatural. In other words, it’s best to error on the shorter side.

8. Q: How wide should the waterfall be?
A: Again, make sure your waterfall is to scale with your surroundings. Keep in mind that the wider the waterfall is, the more water you are going to need to pump over it.

9. Q: I hear that you can change the sound of your falls by changing the location of the rocks. Is that really true?
A: Yes it’s true. Every little change you make in your garden pond makes a difference somewhere. If you change the rocks in your falls it will affect the sound.

10. Q. How do you hide the biological filter and the skimmer?
A. You dig a hole alongside your garden pond that will house the skimmer and pump, while the waterfalls is camouflaged in the berm that envelops the falls filter. Hiding the skimmer and falls is not an issue for the modern garden pond builder.