frequently asked questions

Are ponds a lot of work to maintain?
 
A properly designed and built pond is nearly self-maintaining. Ponds can be built in sun or shade, large or small. With the right skimmer filtration, most pond debris is automatically bagged and ready for easy removal. A biological filter with supplemental bacteria additions will clean the pond, letting nature establish an ecosystem the recycles fish waste and eliminates green water.
 
Will a pond breed mosquitoes?
 
Mosquitoes breed only in stagnant water. Installing a skimmer and BioFalls eliminates stagnant water. The skimmer draws in the mosquito larvae from the surface of the water, drowning them.
 
Does the pond use a lot of water?
 
The Pro-Pond ecosystem is a closed system. Except for the initial fill-up, the only water that has to be added is to replenish water that has evaporated. Research has demonstrated that properly built ponds typically need less water than the same square footage of lawn.
 
How deep does the pond have to be?
 
Hardy fish, such as Koi, will survive through winter in Chicago, in as little as 18 inches of water. The majority of the ponds we build in Chicago are 24 inches deep. All of Aquascape’s Pro-Pond kits are designed to be built at a depth of 24 inches. You can go deeper in you want, but keep in mind a few key factors in the design. A deeper pond will require more digging, rock, and a bigger liner. Bigger BioFalls, skimmers and pumps may also be required depending on how deep you go and how much water is held in the pond.
 
Where is the best location for a pond?
 
Bring the pond up to the residence instead of the resident having to go to the pond. The ideal location for a pond is near the house, adjacent to a hardscape, deck, or porch. The designer should take into account views from outside the house, as well as from inside.

Will fish get caught in the skimmer?

Yes, if they are small, usually under four inches long. We recommend leaving the skimmer lid off for 1 to 2 weeks after introducing fish to the pond and simply putting any fish caught in the skimmer back into the pond. After about a week the smaller fish will learn not to swim close to the skimmer opening. Larger fish will actually swim in and out of the filter looking for food and apparently enjoying the current.