Pond Kits Showroom

Archive for the ‘Types’ Category

When you are thinking about putting in a water feature in your yard, someone may mention using pond kits as an option for consideration.

However, since pond kits may be something you have never heard of before, or something you are unfamiliar with, knowing some basics about pond kits will be essential.

A pond kit is simply a group of items that are used together to create a pond of a particular size. Any pond kits you purchase will come with very detailed instructions for the installation of the pond. Many times it will include advice on keeping the pond clean and healthy, while also giving information about planting around the pond and stocking the pond with fish. Pond kits come in four “levels”:

1. Basic Pond Kits – At this level, the pond kits have the minimum number of components required to create a pond. The components are:
a. A pond liner.
b. A pond liner underlay.
c. A biological pond filter.
d. A pond pump of a size required by the pond filter.

2. Intermediate Pond Kits – At this level, the pond kits become a little more complex. All the components listed above are included in these pond kits. In addition, you will find the following in intermediate pond kits:
a. An ultra-violet sterilizer.
b. A tap water conditioner.
c. A pond maintenance kit.
d. A biological filter start additive.

3. Advanced Pond Kits – At this level, you will be getting some ‘extras’ with your pond kit. All the components listed above are included in these pond kits, but you will also receive the following:
a. A pond plant pack – this normally arrives 4 to 6 weeks after your pond kits. This includes planting baskets, fertilizer, and care instruction for the plants.
b. A fish food pack.
c. A six month supply of pre-filter media.
d. A pack of high performance biological filter media.

4. Professional Pond Kits – These pond kits are for those persons planning to stock Koi in their pond. These are large fish that require a larger area to live. A higher quality of water and a greater pond depth is required to keep this fish healthy and disease free.

Many companies that provide these kits do offer support, even if they do not actually install the ponds. In all, pond kits can be a wonderful investment and can create a unique water area on your property.

If you would like to be able to enjoy a pond, but you don’t have the space outdoors for one, you can purchase an indoor pond kit.

Pond kits are all the rage—however, for some people it is not feasible to have an outdoor pond for a variety of reasons, such as not enough yard space or that it simply does not fit in with their outside decor. For these circumstances, it is possible to have an indoor pond, and there are kits available for these occasions.

Indoor ponds are equally as relaxing as outdoor ponds. However, they are equally as much work as an outdoor pond. No matter your climate, you can build an indoor pond and keep a wide variety of fish in the pond. It is most beneficial that when you decide to build an indoor fish pond, that you purchase an indoor pond kit. They will vary slightly in the materials and needs as opposed to an outdoor fish pond.

Indoor fish ponds come in a wide variety similarly to outdoor ponds. Your needs and requirements, as well as the space and type of fish that you wish to keep in your pond will alter the type of indoor pond kit you need to purchase.

When you are looking at purchasing a pond kit for indoor use, ensure that you tell the salesman all the pertinent information about your needs, space and fish type so that they can help you purchase the kit that is best for you.

Indoor pond kits vary in types, styles, shapes and sizes, all of which are dependant upon the space in your home that you can afford for an indoor pond and how you wish to utilize it. In most cases, an indoor pond kit will come with exactly everything you need to build an indoor pond from scratch. Ensure that you have all the materials necessary to build a pond in your home before you leave the store. Check with the salesman that you are purchasing a complete pond kit.

After you have built your indoor pond, you can enjoy the relaxing solitude of having a pond and pleasant fish in your home.

New generations of pond kits are stunning to see, mammoth in scale and easy to maintain.

There was a time when a pond kit consisted of a black form fitting plastic liner, a few rocks, pump and fish. These early ponds often resulted in great frustration for owners; many of whom have horror stories to share of their struggles with high maintenance and algae buildup.

Today, environmentally friendly pond kits are rendering their predecessors obsolete. These extreme pond kits feature a desire to render constant pond cleaning nothing more than an unpleasant memory. By designing the pond with a balanced ecosystem, this new generation of pond kits are geared toward a bigger is better mentality. Rock lined waterfalls and a variety of pond vegetation add symmetry to the overall design features of these ponds.

In this new era of pond kits many are discovering pumps and liner materials are no longer visible. Fish become an essential part of these new extreme ponds simply because they become a positive chain in the ecological maintenance of the pond.

New generations of pond liners are invisible when water is added. This allows rocks and pebbles to be added for a natural look, but the rocks also become essential to the overall ecological balance of the pond.

It may be interesting to note that when this ecological balance is followed, users discover they can dream big. The waterfalls can be more comprehensive and the overall design can encompass a larger area with more features and contour. Many of these brave pond owners find that cleanup is no more difficult that preparing a flower bed in spring.

Many pond owners recall significant headaches with their pond kits. Today, those frustrations are minimized with the regular addition of bacteria that works to break down string algae and other organic waste in the pond.

As these ponds increase in size, the opportunity for additional vegetation within and without becomes more pronounced and occasionally owners will enhance the design by adding a bridge to cover some scenic portion of the pond.

While your pond may be manmade, design features can be implemented to provide a place that seems natural and inviting. There is a financial benefit to such an extreme pond; when it comes time to resell the property a pond like the ones described can add 10%-20% to the overall value of your property.

If you live in a cold climate state or country you will need to take special precautions when building your backyard pond.

Building a pond can be a satisfying project that can add beauty and value to your property. The trick to having a great pond, however, is to customize the pond to your environment, whether you create your oasis from scratch or with help from a pond kit. For example, property owners in tropical locations will have a bit more freedom in the kind of pond they want to have, while those in colder climates face unique challenges as described below.

Pond Shells: Many pond kits come equipped with a pond shell or liner that will prevent your pond water from seeping into the ground. These shells can be made from a variety of flexible materials, including thermoplastics such as low-, mid-, or high-density polyethylene, PVC sheeting, butyl or other rubber, and ethylene propylene diene monomer. Liners are available in black, brown, and green, for a more natural pond look. Cold-climate pond enthusiasts may find that liners made from polyethylene or PVC do not stand up to winter weather as well as ethylene propylene diene monomer or rubber liners. Consult with your local home improvement center or garden center to find the most durable liner for your geographic area.

Pump: Pond kits often include ready to use pond pumps as well as liners. Pumps should be chosen based primarily on the size and purpose of your pond. However, it is also important to consider the implications a cold climate may have on your pump and how it will be maintained. Some pond owners choose to keep their pond in operation year-round, with the help of heaters and de-icers, but most ponds tend to be winterized for the cold months, particularly in areas where ground frost or deep freezing temperatures are the norm. In this case, it is vital that your pond pump be removed from the pond, and drained (along with all plumbing). The filter should be cleaned thoroughly, and the pump stored in a protected area. Pumps can sometimes generate a smell if stored in the house, so a garden shed or the garage are better options.

Flora and Fauna: If you live in a marginally cold environment, it may be possible to winterize your pond plants and wildlife with the help of heaters and adjusted feeding plans. In colder regions, however, perennial plants will go dormant for the winter and annuals may simply die off. Fish and frogs should be brought inside for the winter, where they may spend the off season in an appropriately sized aquarium or wading pool.

No matter where you live, it is vital to follow all the general maintenance and winterization instructions that come with your pond kit in order to have the pond last as long as possible.

Building a Koi pond is something you will never regret as Koi are a lot of fun to feed and watch.

However, there are some regrets that owners do have, noting that they would build the pond differently the second time around.

The first suggestion is that you build your pond as big as you can—most people start out with a pond that is approximately 500 to 2,000 gallons, however, most owners end up building another one that is 10,000 to 50,000 gallons. There are hundreds of combination’s of colors and varieties of Koi—most people want more and more Koi. You can put approximately 20 full-sized Koi in a 2,000 gallon pond with a lot of filtration and aeration.

The second suggestion is that you should make your pond at least four feet deep. The depth of your pond will help detract predators from turning your pond into a food dish. A bird net over your pond will help lessen the threat of birds preying on your Koi. Especially if there are Great Blue Heron in your area—they can clean out your pond in one meal.

Koi need shade from sunlight, so it’s best to keep your pond out of direct sunlight for the entire day. You can achieve the shade with plants, plant stands or clay drain tiles. However, you should avoid the use of hanging trees over your Koi pond to keep needles and leaves from blowing into your pond.

Ensure that your pond kit comes with an appropriately sized water pump, filtration system and ultraviolet sterilizer. You should invest in an inexpensive trough heater to keep a hole in the ice during winter freezing. If you live in colder climates, you should invest in a gas pond heater. A pond heater will greatly lengthen the growing season of Koi, which will translate to them getting larger faster.

Ensure when you buy a Koi pond kit that you are getting what you need, and purchase the excess materials that you require if they do not come with your kit. Most Koi pond kits will come with everything you need to successfully build a beautiful Koi pond that will last a lifetime.