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Frequently Asked
Questions
What is a Water Feature?
Ponds, pondless waterfalls (see
definition in question below), fountains, etc. are water features.
Water features can include an ecosystem incorporating fish and plants or
can be purely decorative. Water features can be designed to run
year-round or to have an on/off switch.
What is a pondless waterfall?
A pondless waterfall is a waterfall that does not run into a standing
pool of water. The water runs onto a bed of rocks, drains through
the rocks into a cylinder (generally referred to as a "centipede") and
returned back to the top of the waterfall. This type of water
feature is an excellent choice for households with young children.
Do I need to run a pondless waterfall
24/7?
No. There is no Eco-system to
maintain, therefore
it can be run at will and even set on a
timer!
What is a pond?
In most cases it is a living Eco-system. It can include fish and
plants.
What is an Eco-system?
An Eco-system is a living and growing entity. It includes the
following: Filtration, Plants, Rocks/Gravel, Fish and microscopic
organisms.
Do I need to run my pond 24/7?
Yes. Because it is a living
entity it must run continuously to support itself.
Is it normal to lose water in my ponds
and water features?
This depends on several factors:
temperature, splash, wind and possible leaks. Leaks need to be
repaired as soon as possible. Water lost to evaporation, splash and
wind cannot be avoided. You will lose much less water in wintertime
than during the summer due to reduced evaporation.
How do I keep my water level consistent if
I were to go out of town?
Some people opt to fill their feature
with a hose when they notice the water level dropping. We suggest
using an Auto-fill system so water levels will automatically remain consistent
without constant monitoring.
How does an Auto-fill work?
An Auto-fill is a device similar to a
toilet bowl fill and float system. As the water level drops, the
float drops opening a water fill valve. This valve is connected to a
constant water supply tied into your sprinkler system that fills the water
back up to the desired level, raising the float which then turns off the
water.
How do I keep the Auto-fill from
freezing in the winter?
We recommend shutting off your
Auto-fill (due to less evaporation in the colder months) when you drain
your sprinkler system in autumn.
Why do I get algae in my pond?
Algae are some of the first plants to
grow in a pond. Algae is a sign of a healthy Eco-system.
However, it can quickly grow out of control and take over. Radical
temperature changes as well as extreme heat promotes algae growth.
Additionally, over-feeding fish is a big factor in algae growth. An
inadequate filtration system will also cause an overabundance of algae.
Do I need to drain the water out of my
pond in order to clean it?
We strongly recommend avoiding this. As your pond grows it
develops healthy bacteria. When a pond is completely drained and the
filters cleaned, not only are you getting rid of the dirt and debris, you
are also getting rid of the bacteria that is healthy and necessary for the
pond. More often than not when draining a pond, new bacteria will
need to be re-introduced into the pond as well as a de-chlorinator which
can be harmful and sometimes even deadly to
your fish and plants.
How do I protect my fish from predators?
Unfortunately, your fish will never be 100% safe, but there are
numerous methods used to protect your fish from predators. Contact
our experts for further information.
Can I change my water feature into an
Eco-system?
In most cases we are able to make this
conversion. Call us to se if your feature fits the criteria.
How much will it cost to have a custom
water feature designed and built?
Because each feature is completely
unique, it is almost impossible to give a generic estimate. Water
features are like a commissioned piece of art, they are made specifically
for you. We can design and install a water feature for almost any
budget.
Are you a "certified" installer?
In most cases contractors are "certified" by a company that wants the
person certified to install their products exclusively; there is no
national certification. However, we are involved in many continuing
education programs and we do stay current with manufacturers' products and
installation techniques.
We provide references, product warranties and guarantee our workmanship
for one full year.
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