Natural Backyard Swimming Pond Installation Tips
These eco-system swimming creations are environmentally-friendly and will protect you.
If you care about the Earth, or if you hate the way your skin smells and feels after swimming in a chlorinated pool, consider going au naturale.
What is a swimming pond?
Split 50/50 to accommodate vegetation and swimming, its been dubbed the swimming pond as the new and improved backyard pond.
The plant section of the pond is around a foot deep, while the swimming area typically ranges from six-and-a-half to eight feet deep. Timber usually separates the two zones.
How clean is it without chemicals?
Very. The regeneration portion isn’t just there for ambiance, it’s also the pond’s natural filter.
Plants like flag irises and water lilies keep phosphate levels in check while getting rid of nitrates so there’s no algae. Gravel also plays a role in filtering the pond.
To keep the water moving, go the scenic route with a waterfall or install a small pump — this will also help keep the pond clean.
Bonus: Your natural oasis will attract wildlife (think dragon flies, birds, tadpoles.), which will help control pesky insects. To avoid snakes, the surrounding grass is kept as short as peach fuzz.
Does a swimming pond cost more than a pool?
The upfront payment is more expensive because of the regeneration zone, but the cost per square foot is about the same.
Thinking ahead, the initial cost pays off. Unheated natural ponds evaporate less than normal pools, don’t have energy costs, and you save around $350-500 on chemicals and chlorine.
How much does a swimming pond cost?
The design you choose plays into the overall cost of installation!
Is it maintenance-heavy?
According to Aquascapes, a pond requires less maintenance than a pool. You don’t have to worry about chemicals, the pond essentially cleans itself, and you can keep it uncovered and full during the winter (ponds make great ice-skating rinks).
Tend to it as you would a garden — and make sure the surface is skimmed.
Is this really something people are doing?
While the trend is still developing in the U.S., Europe is all over natural swimming ponds and pools. The idea originated in Austria and Germany in the 1980s and has evolved from there. Last month, the UK unveiled its first man-made public swimming pond in London!
Long stream with multiple waterfalls flowing to a beautiful pond
Rain Water Harvesting with the Aquascape RainXchange System
As a nation, we are focusing on preserving our environment and resources by “going green”. Protecting and preserving our most precious resource…Water.
Clean water is a necessity of all life and the easiest resource to pollute. One of the easiest ways to help save the environment is to build a rain garden. A typical rain garden slows down storm water so it has a chance to absorb in the ground. This rain garden usually looks like a flower garden planted with native plants. But the problem with this set up is that all areas of the country typically experience periods of a drought. The solution is a rain harvesting system which will not only capture the water but will store the water for future use.
Why Rainwater harvest?
- Reduce water bills including city storm sever charges
- Alleviate demand on municipal systems
- Avoid strict watering schedules
- Rainwater is extremely rich in nutrients
- Using rainwater to irrigate will reduce fertilizer use
- No chemicals are added to rainwater
Did you know?
- 1 inch of rainfall on a 1000 sq. ft. residential roof gerates 625 gallons of water that can be reused.
- That same roof in a region receiving 25 inches of annual rainfall can gerates 15,575 gallons of reuseable water.
- The average household with a 10,000 square foot lot uses up to 3,000 gallons of water weekly for landscape irrigation.
- Running a sprinkler for 2 hours can use up to 500 gallons of water.
- Rain Water Harvesting allows you to collect thousands of gallons of water anywhere, even in the Desert!
How would you reuse rainwater?
- Landscape irrigation
- Topping off water features, swimming pools and hot tubs
- Washing your car, patio or deck
- Protect property from wildfires
- Even toilet and laundry water supply
What does a Rain Xchange System Work? (Click to see video)
- Downspout Filter – Captures and removes pollutants flushed into the system during a rain event.
- Connecting Pipe – Carries the water via gravity, to the modular storage basin.
- Modular Storage Basin – Modular design can be configured to fit a wide variety of applications and settings. EPDM rubber membrane creates a water-tight basin.
- Snorkel Vault™ & Centipede® Module – Optimum water utilization within the sytem and a convenient access point for yearly maintenance and cleaning.
- Overflow Infiltration – Excess rainwater is sent to a storage area that facilitates the infiltration of water into deeper soils and aquifers.
- Biological Filtration – Beneficial bacteria and enzymes reduce organic waste and pollutants to less toxic substances that can be absorbed by plants.
- Aquatic Plants – Providing food and shelter for a great number of birds, insects and amphibians and the cornerstone for maintaining biodiversity.
- Irrigation System – Natural water is located with mocronutrients and compounds that will make plants flourish.
What type of materials are needed to create a rain harvest system?
- Filter Basin – captures and removes pollutants flushed into system during a rain event
- 45 mil Liner and underlayment
- Matrix® units stacked in the basin provide high water storage capacity
- Pipe and Plumbing Fixtures
- Wet Well
- Pump to pull harvested rainwater from the reservoir supplying pressurized water for your use.
Can I incorporate a water feature with my rain harvesting system?
Yes, there are several ways this can be accomplished.
1. Use of a permeable paver patio in combination with a fountain stone. The permeable pavers collect the water which feeds the fountain stone and allows access to the water for other irrigation purposes.
2. A pondless waterfall can use the same basin which is collecting water from the roof harvest system.
The Water Harvesting sytems have many options and sizes. Having this system professionally installed is recommend. Water storage system sizes range from 500 gallons to 3000 gallons or over.
Call us today and we will design a system to meet your specifications 877-780-1174
Container Water Gardens
It’s a small world – container water gardens are the perfect fit!
What’s holding you back from digging a hole and adding a perfectly peaceful aquatic paradise to your backyard? Is it the price? The size? The uncertainty of it all? Will you even like adding water gardening to your list of outdoor hobbies? How do you make a transition into the wet and wild world of water gardening?
If you are timid about getting starting, you may choose to begin with container gardening.
For people with small backyards or a simple porch, sometimes a container garden is the only way to get their water garden to fit. For some, it can lead to the dream of a big yard and a bigger water garden. There seem to be endless ways to accomplish your first water garden. Some examples are:
Wet Rocks or Bubbling Rocks, – these rocks are drilled so that the water comes out of the top and cascades down the rock into a basin below the rock. Many installers will do these in singles and trios. When the proper selection of the rock, you can get a nice soft sound of the water. Check with your local installer for further information and ultimately a proposal. Great for a nice additional to a small landscaped area.
On the market are several types of containers. This would be a category that you would have the ability to add plants and maybe small fish to this container. Traditionally, we only saw the whiskey barrel and liner tub available but now the market offers you other options which include different sizes, shapes and colors of container, container gardening pump, and tubing. Here’s a link to the ones available from Aquascapes.
Now consider plants as they can turn any boring container into a gorgeous work of art, if you educate yourself about how to plant and which plants to use. As with any water garden there are three basic type of plants:
1. Water lilies – recommend only the pygmy water lily which still may be too big.
2. Marginal – perennial plants – which be careful to only purchase the smaller marginal plants. Suggestions are:
Variegated sweet flag, corkscrew rush, Four-leaf clover, water forget me not – Just remember to keep them small
3. Floating plants – Tropical – Water Hyacinth (my favorite) and Water Lettuce (does not like real hot climates) Great for small features.
Gold Fish are an option but remember they will grow to about 6 inches and will reproduce. They will not live through the winter in a fountain or small basin.
What equipment do I need?
You will need a container garden aerator. This is a small pump that will give a gentle turbulence to the water. You want to steer clear of still water as this is a breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Add a small amount of gravel/stones on the bottom of the container. Especially if you have added a few fish.
What kind of maintenance is required?
Maintenance is as easy or as hard as you want to make it. Many of the small containers are small enough that you may use a garden hose to top it off. And if there’s no fish, you may use it to overflow the system for severe cleaning. If debris does accumulate, you can use any of the enzyme-based products (algaecides). Sludge tablets would be a good source and our bacteria container garden tablets. Watch for evaporation and if you have fish, you may need to put a few drops of detoxifer in the water. This removes the chlorine from the water if you have fish.
Enjoy! Be careful, however, because once the water gardening bug has bitten you, there’s no going back! Next step, would be a micro pond kit, then on to a larger water garden. Well, actually, it’s best just to go to the largest water garden you can put into your location and fits your budget. We do have kits for the do-it-yourselfers but best results are locating a installer in your area. Call us at 877 780-1174 and we can help you find that contractor.
Or if just a fountain is your choice for now look at the options on our site.
Fish Care and Treatments
Follow these simple preventative measures:
Water Quality – The majority of issues are caused by poor water quality. Make sure the fish population is under control and don’t be afraid to do partial water changes often and consistently. The general formula for the quantity of fish in a pond is determined by the square feet of your pond and that means 1″ of mature fish per 1 square foot of garden. However, established gardens are sometimes able to handle 1.5″ to 2″ of MATURE FISH per 1 square foot of garden. Make sure when adding water or when doing a partial change that you treat the water with Pond Detoxifier to eliminate chlorine/chloramines and chelated heavy metals. Aerating pond water is also something that can potentially increase water quality dramatically. When speaking of mature fish, Koi can grow to 24 to 36 inches and most gold fish with fins get 6 to 9 inches. It takes close to five years for Koi to reach maturity.
Buy Your Fish from a Responsible Retailer – Never buy sick fish and, if possible, quarantine new fish for a few days to a week before adding them to your pond. Always ask how long the retailer has had the fish. If they have just received them in, ask the retailer to hold the fish for a few days to make sure the fish recovers from stress related to transport and new water chemistry.
Keep a Close Eye on Your Fish – If any signs of disease are seen, start using Pond Salt immediately and start feeding with medicated fish food. If things look like they are getting worse, immediately treat the pond with the appropriate treatment. The longer you wait to treat the problem, the less chance you have of saving your fish. Quarantine your sick fish.
Test Your Water – Test it yourself or have your local retailer test it for any signs of a problem. It is also important to test the water coming directly from your tap as it is increasingly common to have issues including ammonia coming directly from your water source. Click here for test kits.
Feed Your Fish a High-Quality Food – Feeding a high-quality food will not affect water quality and will ensure that your fish are getting all the vitamins and nutrients they need to maintain proper health.
Symptoms/Diagnosis/Treatments
Note Click here at TREATMENTS to see the products available to treat your sick fish. Isolating sick fish in a separate tank is the best approach since you can treat the fish more adequately and not affect the water quality.
THIS IS GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT TREATMENTS. YOU MAY HAVE TO RESEARCH FURTHER FOR THE EXACT TREATMENT YOU MAY NEED. SECURE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM www.koivet.com Having access to a microscope is helpful.
Pond Salt information – Is a proven staple in the health care and maintenance of Koi. Pond salt maintained at a 0.2% solution will reduce fish stress and enhance their slime coat and will improve gill function. During periods of stress and disease, healthy gill function is disturbed. This can cause a loss of electrolytes, leading to serious health problems for fish. Pond Salt provides the essential electrolytes fish need to survive. In addition, a salt solution will do a great job at controlling certain protozoan parasites, such as Trichodina, Ich and Chilodonella. Caution: A>0.2% salt level may threaten some more tender aquatic plants.
Symptom: Erratic movement, flashing or rubbing on rocks and surfaces throughout the pond. Fish has white discoloration as if dusted with small white dots. May be flashing, like scratching gills.
Most Likely Diagnosis: Parasite Problem There are several type of parasites.
Solution:
General Treatment: Pond Salt Treatment and Isolation
Targeted Treatment: There are several types of parasites. Removing with Tweezers is a simple solution however, there may be other types of treatments. Such as Parasite and Ich Treatment, Praziquantel Treatment, Using Medicated fish food helps.
Symptom: Growths that look like “cotton balls“. Fish may have white starburst on mouth or body. Loss of Appetite.
Most likely Diagnosis: Fungal infection
Solution:
General Treatment: Pond Salt Treatment
Targeted Treatment: Aquascape Fungus Treatment
Symptom: Open Wounds or ulcers. Fish fins or tail has white discoloration on the edges, may be accompanied by red streaks in fins or tail. Sometimes appears as trailing slime. Fish may be lethargic or without appetite. May swim with fins or tail collapsed.
Most likely diagnosis: Could be Bacterial infection: Tail Rot, Body Slim
Solution:
General Treatment: Pond Salt Treatment
Targeted Treatment: Ulcer & Bacterial Infection Treatment and Medicated Fish Food
Symptom: Red Streaks in the fins
Most Likely Diagnosis: Could be Bacterial Infection, Parasite Problem, Ammonia Poisoning
Solution:
General Treatment: Medicated Fish Food, Pond Salt and water change using Pond Detoxifier
Targeted Treatments: Parasite & Ich Treatment, Praziquantel Treatment, along with the general solution
Symptom: Fins appear to be rotting away
Most Likely Diagnosis: Fin Rot or Bacterial infection
Solution:
General Treatment: Pond Salt
Targeted Treatments: Ulcer and Bacteria Treatment, Medicated Fish Food, Pond Salt
Symptom: Small white spots that look like salt stuck to the body of the fish
Most Lightly Diagnosis: Ich or Parasite problem
Solution:
General Treatment: Pond Salt
Targeted Treatments: Parasite & Ich Treatment and Pond Salt
Symptom: Gasping at the surface of the water
Most Likely Diagnosis: Oxygen Depletion
Solution:
General Treatment: Aerate the pond & agitate the pond surface – Reduce fish load
Symptom: Bulging Eyes – hard to cure or no cure
Most Likely Diagnosis: Bacteria infection
Solution:
General Treatment: Pond Salt
Targeted Treatments: Ulcer & Bacterial Treatment, Medicated Fish Food – Pond Salt
Symptom: Scales protruding from a swollen body like a pine cone
Most Likely Diagnosis: Dropsy – Bacterial Infection – Difficult to treat
Solution:
General Treatment: Difficult to treat: isolation and pond salt and/or treat the pond as a preventative measure
Targeted Treatment: Ulcer & Bacterial Infection Treatment and Pond Salt
Symptom: Difficulty swimming underwater floating at the surface upright
Most Likely Diagnosis: Swim Bladder Disease
Solution: If the fish is still feeding, feed fish with canned peas or Spirulina-based fish food
Symptom: Red or swollen gills
Most Likely Diagnosis: Parasite Problem
Solution:
General Treatment: Pond Salt
Targeted Treatment: Parasite & Ich Treatment, Praziquantel Treatment & Pond Salt
Information provided by Aquascape Inc
Remember: It is sometimes best to isolate the sick fish so that you can salt the holding tank with the proper solution and treat the sick fish and not the whole pond. Remember pond plants are sensitive to salt treatments.
Also you can additionally consult: www.koivet.com
Pond Salt Dosage Rates: 2 cups = 1.0 lbs. approx.
0.1% solution uses .83 lbs. of salt per 100 gallons of water
0.2% solution uses 1.67 lbs. of salt per 100 gallons of water
0.3% solution uses 2.5 lbs. of salt per 100 gallons of water
