Pondless Waterfalls
Pondless Waterfalls are recirculating systems that have a reservoir at the end of the waterfall where the pump is housed safely and away from view. All plumbing and pipes are also buried in the ground. A Pondless Waterfall can fit into almost any space and can be any design you can think of. If you're looking for the tranquil sound of water in your garden that can be enjoyed throughout the four seasons of the year, without the worry of being responsible for fish, then a Pondless Waterfall is an ideal choice for you.
Optional Extras
Feature log or stump
Lighting upgrade to Oase LunAqua
Mature trees or shrubs
Larger reservoir
Ecosystem Ponds
An Ecosystem Pond works with Mother Nature to provide food, shelter, and safety to the wildlife around it. It also provides you with an all-natural, low-maintenance piece of paradise. It’s important to remember, however, that every piece of the ecosystem puzzle must be present in order for a true ecosystem to be in place. There are many different additions you can have on an Ecosystem Pond. Stacked Slate Urns and Spheres can be strategically placed inside the pond to add interest. You can also have a water feature that has the look of a river but with the depth of pond.
Optional Extras
Fish cave
Feature stump or log
Lighting upgrade
Aerators
Circulation jets
Higher flow pump
Mature trees & shrubs
Stacked Slate Spheres and Urns
The Aquascape Stacked Slate Urn Fountain can be added to a water basin and pump for a complete, functioning fountain.
The fountains can also be added to existing ponds for an impressive decorative accent. Create a natural paradise in your yard with our Stacked Slate Urn Fountain.
This light-weight, durable fibreglass-resin composite provides all of the natural beauty of real rock with the added benefits of fiberglass. The natural rock veneer imitates a natural stacked slate design, will not fade or chip and ages like real stone, providing the perfect fountain for your enjoyment.
A mixture of both Stacked Slate Urns and Stacked Slate Spheres in any configuration with landscaping can also be created.
Still Water Ponds
A Still Water Pond is very similar to a fully functioning Ecosystem Pond but without the filtration or circulation. We normally recommend Still Water Ponds for people who would like to enjoy having a pond but prefer creating a perfect habitat for newts and frogs instead of fish. This is because fish tend to predate the other inhabitants in a pond. They also like to eat any eggs or larvae they can find.
Spillway Bowls and Basins
The Spillway Bowl and Basin can instantly upgrade your landscape and can be used as a standalone feature or integrated into
and existing water feature. You can even add a Spillway Bowl to create a flow of water for a waterfall!
Raised Bespoke Water Features
A raised water feature is a unique way of bringing the sights and sounds of water into your outdoor living space. The beauty of having a raised water feature like the one you see pictured above, is that it can be placed anywhere in your garden or more specifically on a patio or next to a seating area or fire pit. Another benefit of having this type of water feature created for you is the fact that no diggers are required for any excavation of soil. This means it is a more efficient way of having a feature like this created for you in your garden. There are many things you can have added to this style of feature. Stacked Slate Spheres and/or Urns, larger or differently shaped Spillway Bowls, tree stumps and bubbling rocks are all optional extras that can help to create a water feature which has the perfect blend of natural and contemporary.
Ecosystem Ponds Explained
Mechanical and Biological Filtration
Proper Filtration System includes the use of both a biological and a mechanical filter. A biological filter provides surface area for beneficial bacteria to colonize and remove excess nutrients from the water. A biological filter is more commonly called the “biofall.” A mechanical filter will not only pre-filter the water and house the pump; it will also skim debris from the water’s surface to prevent the accumulation of organic materials on the pond floor. It is more commonly called the “skimmer.” Jets can also be strategically placed near the pond floor to push water and debris to the surface to ensure the whole pond stays clean and without dead spots.
Rocks, Gravel, and Bacteria
The use of rocks and gravel in the pond has been a controversial element in the hobby for many years. Some people adamantly promote liner-only ponds with no rocks and gravel even saying that it is not healthy for Koi to live amongst rocks and gravel. This perspective has caused many enthusiasts to avoid rocks and gravel out of fear that their system will become a maintenance nightmare and harm their fish.
On the contrary, rocks and gravel will not only make your pond look more natural, they will also protect pond liners from UV light degradation, and they provide tremendous surface area for beneficial bacteria to break down excess nutrients in the water and dissolved organic debris on the pond floor. Rocks and gravel are an absolute necessity in the Aquascape Ecosystem Pond! Because we routinely clean all sorts of ponds—we know which ones have the most sludge at the bottom. The liner-only ponds are always filled with slippery, stinky, black sludge, sometimes up to 1’ deep. Not so with rock and gravel ponds.
Circulation System
This is really just a fancy way of saying “pumps and plumbing.” The proper size pump and pipe diameter are extremely important for the aesthetics of a water feature. More importantly, an efficient circulation system keeps the water moving and provides the necessary oxygen levels for healthy fish and plants. An additional benefit of an Ecosystem Pond is that all the plumbing and pipe work is buried in the ground, protecting it from UV damage and also stopping the unnatural look of pipes laying on the ground round the pond.
Fish
Plants
Aquatic plants are Mother Nature’s true filters. Plants are great for adding character to a pond by providing colour and texture, but from a filtration perspective, they’re second to none. Thriving from the excess nutrients in a pond and depriving algae of its food source, the aquatic plants in a water garden, given proper coverage, are critical for the overall health of the ecosystem.
Wetland Filter
A constructed Wetland Filter in a water feature is a simple concept. Water is pumped through a Centipede Module from the pond. This is put simply, a large perforated pipe running the length of the Wetland. As the water comes through the pipe it fills the reservoir and all the soak away crates. On top of these crates are various grades of rounded rock and gravel going from big to small. The beneficial bacteria that is put in the pond will live on every square inch of aggregate that is placed in the Wetland. This means that the larger the body of water, the bigger the Wetland needs to be. The water then percolates up through each layer of aggregate until reaching the top where it then flows back down a stream into the pond. The beneficial bacteria breaks down the fish waste, organic matter and sediments that come from the pond, leaving you with crystal clear water and an incredibly healthy ecosystem. A clean out vault or Snorkel is connected to the Centipede. This enables you to drop down a clean out pump and remove the settled sediments that sink to the bottom. Depending on the application a yearly clean is all that is required. It is possible to leave it longer between clean outs for ponds with less fish.
Fish are an important part of your ponds ecosystem. Unfortunately, fish are often seen as creating a maintenance nightmare. Contrary to popular belief, fish will actually reduce pond maintenance, as they graze on string algae and bottom feed from the pond floor. Fish are the highlight of any pond whether you choose ornamental fish like Koi or Goldfish or even river fish like Sturgeon or Trout.