When constructed correctly, a pond/watergarden can be a wonderful addition to your lifestyle. Below are some questions that we usually hear and answer.
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Does a pond/watergarden use a lot of water?
A correctly built pond will use up to 75% less water than a lawn of the same area.
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Is there a lot of maintenance with a pond/watergarden?
When built correctly, a pond can be as little as 15 to 20 minutes of upkeep per week. The fish and plants keep everything balanced because it's their job.
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Do I really need fish?
Yes, fish are an integral part of any pond/watergarden. They eat the algae off the rocks as well as provide the waste needed for beneficial bacteria to break down and convert it to nutrients for the other plants.
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How much maintenance does a pondless waterfall need?
Pondless waterfalls are virtually maintenance-free. There are no fish or aquatic plants to care for and they self clean by percolation through the rock.
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How much does it cost to run the pump?
Generally the pump cost is anywhere between $10 to $20 per month, depending if it's on 24 hours a day for a pond or, in a pondless waterfall, kept on a timer. Your electricity supplier's rates are a variable as well. All in all the pumps are pretty efficient.
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How many fish can I have?
The general rule of thumb for ponds/watergardens is 1" of fish per every 10 gallons of water. So in a typical 11'x16' pond (~2100 gal.) you can have 210" of fish (or eight to ten full grown Koi).
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Do I need to feed the fish?
No, when built correctly, a pond/watergarden will provide food for the fish on a regular basis. Fish don't go to the feed store in nature so it shouldn't be any different here.
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How much does a pond cost?
The average cost of an 11'x16' with a 5' waterfall and stream is comparable to an above ground spa ($6000-7000).
Although we hear many of these questions I encourage you to visit our Education page on this site to learn more about pond ownership.
