Many homeowners also enjoy the idea of having the sound of running water tinkling around a particular area of their house. The soothing sound of water can create great ambience.

Waterfalls And Fountains

These are among the more popular water structures that are used for landscape design ideas. These two can be utilized for both small scale and large scale landscaping. In larger yards or gardens, fountains and waterfalls can be as large as the homeowner wants them to be. While in pocket sized areas, fountains and waterfalls can be contained in a big tray or bowl and the water runs with the aid if a small pump.

Other landscape design ideas for waterfalls and fountains are to integrate them into ponds and swimming pools to enhance the scene and the area. Many homeowners like to have a waterfall landscape design idea especially if the area is bigger and has the effect of a tropical island with plants. Most of these landscape design ideas have the waterfalls or fountain lead into the pool.

Ponds And Swimming Pools

Pools and ponds are usually reserved for land areas that are bigger. If you have a pocket size garden, you need more maintenance for your pond compared to a bigger one. This is because, the smaller ponds get dirty easily compared to the bigger ones that tend to have their own ecosystem. Landscape design ideas featuring swimming pools and ponds usually recommend the need for a water pump and filtration system for maintenance.

Other landscape design ideas for a pond are the integration of local plants and creatures to populate the pond. These creatures usually help in the maintenance of the pond as well as in creating a sub habitat that works well for the creatures. Snails, fish and some plants can make a lot of difference for a working pond environment.

These landscape design ideas are feasible for warmer climates and most tropical areas. Indoor water fixtures for chillier places may not be able to sustain fish and other creatures.

I decided to build this Koi pond after visiting Japan a number of times and admired their water gardens ponds and Koi. Our design has three ponds, the top pond has water hyacinths in it and is the filter for the pond, the water is crystal clear. The middle pond has a waterfall from the top pond where the water gets aerated. The bottom pond holds about a 2000 gallons of water and the koi.

We enjoy relaxing beside the pond listening to the water cascades over the waterfall into the pond. Dragon flies dart in and around the shrubs and plants, bees and humming birds are busy flying from flower to flower. We sit for hours lazily in our lounge chairs listening and watching while the Koi swim around in the water garden pond.

The water lilies have large pink and red blossoms and the water is crystal clear. I have about 6 water lily plants in there and they cover almost all the pond in the summer time. They die off in the fall back to their roots and re-grow in the spring as the days get longer and warmer.

We have about 40 Koi in the pond, it is hard to get an correct number as they never stop moving. I buy small Koi that are 2 to 3 inches long. They grow to over 10 inches.

Egrets are the most frequent visitors to our pond. They will fly onto our roof or the neighbors roof then drop down onto our patio and wade into our pond. If we see the egret, we will let our dog chase them off. He hasn’t jumped into the pond since he was a pup.

The raccoons like to play in the pond and sit on the water lily containers. I saw a mother and 3 baby racoons play and try to catch the Koi in our water garden pond.

I laid out the pond design for our do it yourself Koi pond, with stakes and string. I laid down 3″ PVC pipes to pump water from the lower pond to the top pond. I treated the block wall with asphalt paste as I piled dirt against this wall. I stacked 4 railroad ties two layers high in an L shape to make the front edge of the upper pond and to make the waterfall.

I then made a 1/4 circle ridge from the ends of the ties to make a small middle pond where water would roll over the full 1/4 circle edge into the bottom pond. I dug the lower pond about 18″ deep putting most of the dirt into the retaining walls of the upper two ponds. I covered all the ponds with a PVC liner that I cut and glued to fit.

I started with a 1/5 horse power above ground pump with a 2″ inlet and outlet. This provided a good flow of water over the waterfall. Sometimes it would lose its suction and I would have to re-priming the pump.

I finally found a submersible 1/3 horse power water pump that was OK to use in a Koi pond. Check the fine print, some pumps cannot be used in a fish pond. I found this out after about 6 months when I tried to get a replacement pump.

I designed and built this water garden pond about 15 years ago and we have had good luck with it. The raccoons and egrets like it also.

You can spend hours and hours carefully planning and creating a beautiful water garden, but if you overlook the importance of lighting, you will only be able to view the garden during daylight hours. Adding flowers and fish are important, but so is adding lighting. The mix of light and water is mesmerizing. Reflections and colors dance around, creating an ever changing mix of visual stimulation. Proper lighting will not just show your water garden in low light or night, but it will truly show it off.

When you are choosing which lighting design to use, you have plenty of options. One very unique option is the “Dancing Water” mister. For this system, you attach a misting unit to an underwater pump, which shoots water up and out. Colored lights are included with this system, providing a colorful display of dancing water.

Not all misters are the same. The shape of the nozzle will dictate the pattern that the water will move. No matter which one you choose, you will have the added benefit of circulating water, which will help to reduce maintenance. You can purchase the misters without lights, but it would be a shame not to get the lights as well.

Another great lighting option for your pond or water garden are floating lights. They consist of round balls connected to a waterproof cable. You can adjust their buoyancy by adding water to them. You can buy them individually or in sets.

A simple, easy, and affordable lighting system is to add EggLites. You can use them in the water or out of the water. Predictably, they are lights shaped like eggs. They have interchangeable color lenses to add variety. They are essentially a form of compact spotlight that can be placed basically anywhere you need them.

If you are trying to get your lights to blend into the natural surroundings, rock lights work great. Malibu landscape lighting can be use in your garden, or along a walkway or path. They look like rocks and you cannot see the actual light source. It looks as if it is the rock itself emitting the light.

You can also use underwater lights, which are typically made of plastic, stainless steel, or copper. Colored lenses can be added for effect. The lights can either be secured to a base and placed at the bottom of a pond or mounted onto the side of a pool or hot tub.

There are already plenty of affordable options for lighting, and new innovations and ideas will add to the possibilities in the future. Adding lighting to your water garden is very important. Choose the best option for the style of garden that you wish to create.

Backyard ponds are great additions to any landscaping garden. The pond immediately becomes a focal point for anyone who sees your yard. Your kids will love the pond, especially if there are fish.

Don’t despair if you think that a pond will take way too much work to create. Of course, certain types of ponds with intricate rock waterfalls will be tough to make, but you can create simpler ones with much less effort. Even a simple water feature will add beauty to your garden. The sound and sight of the water is truly soothing. Simplicity is key. A pond that is too cluttered is takes away some of the relaxing effect. When designing a pond, you need to find a place for the water to fall to, so it does not sit still. Also, you need to create a reservoir for this water to collect.

Having the waterfall will add a relaxing sound and keep the flow moving. The reservoir will hold the water that falls. It must be deeper than two feet. Any reservoir over two feet is considered a swimming pool, so you need to make sure the local regulations allow for something like that.

You can build the sides of the reservoir with a fiberglass shell, or with rubber liners.

Adding fish and aquatic plants will make your pond seem more natural. A water lily is a common plant to add in ponds. Also, they look nice and they help to balance out the ecosystem.

You can cover the pond with landscaping gravel to help the aquatic plants live. This is possible because microorganisms hat release carbon dioxide live in the spaces between the gravel, and the plants need carbon dioxide to live.

Plants, in turn, release oxygen. The microorganisms and fish need the oxygen that is released from the plants. You can see clearly how the ecological cycle works. Adding plant life to your pond will also help it blend into the surroundings.

You will need a water supply constantly to maintain a pond, especially if you want fish. Before you create your pond, you should calculate how much water you will need. There is an easy way to calculate this. First, figure out the square footage of the pond. Then, multiply the area by depth (in feet), to get the volume in cubic feet. Next, multiply the result (cubic feet) by 7.5 to get the final answer of number of gallons of water that you will need for your pond.

If you don’t mind a little bit extra work to make your pond look more interesting, you can create a step-by-step cascade of water from the pond to the reservoir. It will add a more interesting look to the pond and create a more tropical backyard. An electrical pump can keep the water circulating, but keep in mind that you will have to add more water from time to time because of evaporation.

If you cannot create a cascading waterfall, you can look into kits of bubblers or anything else to add a simple, functional, and appealing feature to your pond.

For more than 5,000 years, people have been building their palaces and other homes with charming courtyard fountains and ponds. Many of these decorative centerpieces were the pride of the royalty of Europe and Asia, as well as the accompanying aristocracies.

Today, these fine-looking attractions are not just owned by and reserved for the upper classes. Although they can still somewhat expensive to build, courtyard fountains and ponds are now in price ranges that more people can afford; and, many people are taking advantage of the opportunity to enhance their homes with these appealing additions. Accordingly, these enviable centerpieces can add greatly to the value of a home.

Courtyard fountains and ponds can be found in a limitless array of shapes and sizes. The choices span the simple to the very elaborate and a wide selection of materials are offered. Cast stone is very often the preferred material of choice. This special type of concrete can be formed into almost any shape that is desired. On the other hand, many courtyard fountains and ponds are being made out of granite or different kinds of concrete and marble, which continues to be in demand.

Installing Courtyard Fountains and Ponds

It is certainly possible to put in your own courtyard fountains and ponds, but it is highly recommended that you hire a professional for this specialized type of work. However, if you should decide that this is a project you want to tackle on your own, you will discover that kits for smaller fountains and ponds are especially easy to install and are carried at many home improvement stores. When attempting an installation of your own fountain or pond, it is suggested that you follow several recommended steps.

If you are planning to install your own courtyard fountain and pond, an essential first step is for you to contact your local electric utility company. It cannot be stressed enough just how important this is. Unless you will be using a fountain running on solar power, fountains require electricity; and, their wires will need to be buried for safety and for aesthetics. Also, since you may not know what is buried in that area already, it is imperative to protect yourself by calling to find out.

Next, you will need to clear out the area to be improved. The installation of a courtyard fountain and pond will be most successful if large rocks, plants and any debris is removed. Since the pond liner that you use may be somewhat fragile, you will help to ensure its integrity by getting these possible hazards out of the way ahead of time. You definitely don’t want anything falling into the hole and damaging the liner.

Many fountains will not work at all if they are not level. Therefore, Step Three concerns levelling the holes for your courtyard fountain and pond. Your sidewall rocks should not be inserted until the leveling process is completed to your satisfaction., Remember that the system will run its best if the water is level, which in turn means that the pump will operate properly. The actual levelling of the holes is a simple operation. You just fill up the hole with sand. Then, you place a board on the sand with a level on the board. Keep tamping down until the the board is level from all angles.

Finally, be sure to check out and follow the instructions that are packed with your courtyard fountain and pond kit. By being attentive and careful, you will end up with the display you desire - your very own lovely courtyard fountain and pond.

Once you have decided where you would like it located, contact the local utility department to make sure there are no buried utility lines in the area where you will be digging the hole for the waterfall pond’s location. While you will need to make sure you have a grounded power outlet available, you do not want to connect it by accidentally cutting through a line with your shovel.

Before you get too far along, have an electrician install the right outlet you will need to plug in the water pump for waterfall ponds. Also, be conscious of its position when put in the ground to insure the front lip will overflow any rocks placed to create the falls.

Sand Can Help Level And Protect Liner

Placing a few inches of sand in the bottom of the hole before placing the plastic lining inside can serve two purposes. One, it can help protect the waterfall ponds liner from possible damage from any rocks in the bottom of the hole. Second, when the liner is in place, check that it is level from all sides. If any adjustments are needed, remove the liner and adjust the level of the sand.

The route designed for the water to flow must be carefully thought through and a means to recapture the water will help keep water bills down and the area surrounding the waterfall ponds dry. Additionally, since the use of waterfall ponds is typically for decoration as opposed to a fish pond, it will most likely only be operated while you are enjoying the sights and sounds of a working waterfall.

You will want to keep a close watch on the water level, because if it gets too low it will burn out the water pump. Again, it is mostly for decoration and turning it off when not in use is prudent, and it should also be turned off when you are not going to be home or if on vacation. In general, listening to the sounds stemming from waterfall ponds can be soothing experience that you may want to share with friends.

An easy, inexpensive and simple way to do this is by having an organic living water pond in your own backyard. It might not be a cabin by a lake, but it’s the next best thing. Water ponds are lower in maintenance than the average lawn and will provide hours of enjoyment for the entire family. Plus they are environmentally responsible and can act as a wildlife refuge. How better to find some inner peace than meditating by your own water pond.

Alleviates Lawn Maintenance

Water ponds are great additions to any landscape if only by reducing the always water hungry lawn. There will be no need for long hot walks around your yard pushing a lawn mower. There won’t be any problems with those pesky lawn allergies. Instead of working in the yard on weekends, you will be relaxing next to your soothing and beautiful water pond. A properly built pond will only require minimal upkeep each week, but will attract all of your relaxing time. Water ponds are great investments and are refilled by a rain shower.

A water pond is perfect if you have children. Kids love fish, so stocking your pond with fish can be a fun and educational experience for the kids. They will learn all about the species and not only how to care for them in their environment, but how to care for all of nature’s living creatures. Your children will have great fun introducing their fish to their neighborhood friends. Landscaping with a few plants around the edges of the water pond can also be a great family event.

Making the area beautiful and serene can help calm your nerves after a hectic day at the office. Or, if you work at home, having a window which looks out onto your water pond can have a profound calming effect on your nerves. Water ponds are built for many reasons to suit many purposes. But they all have one common element and that is their ability to remain environmentally responsible. They are sustainable and will only improve with age. Water is an element of the earth and it symbolizes life. It is calming to the senses and soothing to the soul. Water ponds have many uses, but bringing peace of mind is the major one.

Special Operational Requirements for Ultra Violet Lights For Ponds

If you have decided to use the ultra violet lights designed for ponds, it is important to learn all that you can about using this type of system in your pond. There are four necessary components required to work together, successfully killing the algae in your pond. You will need to purchase the initial ultra violet light that is designed especially for a pond, a protective sleeve designed to protect the ultra violet lamp from the water, the proper electrical equipment to insure that the ultra violet light designed for your pond functions properly and the housing that will actually hold the light itself and allow the water to pass through. The ultraviolet rays will only kill the algae in water that passes through the housing unit.

Following Guidelines For Ultra Violet Lights For Ponds Will Bring Results

When purchasing an ultra violet light for your pond, it is very important to make sure that the unit you are using in your pond is properly sized for the volume of water that is in your pond and that the unit is properly installed within your pond. It is imperative that the water pass through your ultra violet light very slowly in order to receive the most beneficial results.

Taking the time to learn as much as you can about ultra violet lights for your pond, insure that the system you purchase is the proper size for your pond and follow all rules and guidelines will insure that you receive the best possible results from your system. When used properly, the ultra violets lights designed for ponds will quickly kill the algae and disease that damage the water quality of your garden oasis.

What Does It Take To Make Turtle Ponds?

It may be a good place to start by discovering what type of turtle would be best for your turtle ponds area. A pond can be created for any turtle, including the tortoise which is considered more of a “land” turtle; but, they too enjoy shallow water. A tortoise would not spend most of its time in the water; and would need more land space than a water turtle. The Red-eared slider is an aquatic turtle that spends most of their time in the water. There are other breeds of turtles and speaking with a pet store or going on-line to research other breeds will help narrow down the field on the proper choices for the turtle ponds that you wish to create.

After selecting the breed of turtle, the next step is selecting the space to create the turtle ponds. Turtles need to be able to get out of the pool; so, digging out a pool that has some edges and gradually slopes down may work best for the turtle. Ramps, such as sticks or rocks, can also be used as a means to allow the turtle to leave the pool. Turtle ponds need to be well thought out in order for the turtles to thrive. This includes what kind of liner will be used in the pond. As turtles do have sharp claws, some people prefer the pre-fabricated liners that are thick. The shape of these is already set, and many don’t have the varying levels for the turtles to climb out of the water. The regular liners are not very thick and can be ripped; but, they can be formed anyway that is desired. Check into both and determine which will work best for the turtle ponds that will be in your yard.

Protecting The Turtles

It is very important to place fencing around the turtle ponds. Not only will this keep the turtles from wandering off, it can keep predators away from the turtles. Keep in mind that turtles are small and their heads and legs can get trapped in the mesh wiring. They can also dig, so check the fencing frequently to prevent runaways. A wiring may be required over the turtle pond as well to keep birds and even raccoons away.

Plants For The Turtle Ponds

Making turtle ponds have a tropical feel is the fun part. Remember, the turtles will probably enjoy snacking on the plants in its new environment, so verify there is nothing dangerous for the turtle. Use rocks around the turtle’s pond to give the turtle lots of choices on places to enjoy the sun.

Turtle ponds are a delightful space that will enchant the entire family and neighborhood.

Larger ponds may accumulate algae on the surface, which can quickly overtake the surface of any pond or small lake, reducing the amount of sun and oxygen available for aquatic life. With solar ponds, pumps operate by solar power and charged batteries can automatically be switched to keep the pumps going all day and all night. This reduces the amount of algae growing in the water pumping the water into the air can add precious oxygen for the fish and other underwater life.

Many lakes will lose oxygen at the bottom, as will some farm and family ponds, reducing the amount of life in deeper waters. With solar ponds incorporating water pumps near the bottom of the body of water, air is pumped into the water, restoring the life that once was available. With air in the bottom, aerobic bacteria will quickly consume any dead organisms that float to the bottom of the pond, helping to keep it clean and from floating to the surface.

Restore Life To Dying Bodies Of Water

As ponds get older, the aging process slows its ability to fight off attack by algae and aeration of solar ponds can help breath new life into degraded lakes and ponds. It can also reduce the number of dead fish all year long as well as promote aquatic plant growth, a major food source for fish. Additionally, the air pumped into the water on top and on the bottom helps promote healthier fish growth.

Water will be clearer and cleaner and will keep the solar ponds open throughout the year for livestock and other wildlife that depends on the water source. Ammonia, phosphates and nitrites tend to accumulate in ponds causing a stagnant appearance and smell and constant aeration can reduce that drastically.

Organic pollutants are attracted to still ponds, stifling fish growth, reproduction and the number of fish the size of the pond can support. Aeration done with the help of solar ponds can reduce the pollutants, organic and inorganic, making the pond more hospitable to fish and other welcome wildlife.