Planning Your Pond: Basic Pond Layout
1. Underlayment
- A non-woven, needle punched underlayment forms a soft padding for the liner.
- Unlike sand, it completely covers the vertical areas of the pond shelves.
- Unlike carpet padding, it allows gases to escape out the sides while looking more professional.
2. Liner
- Strong 45-mil EPDM liner is the best choice for most pond installations: easy, inexpensive, won't crack.
- When installed with our underlayment, offers a 20-year warranty.
3. Skimmer
- Eliminates routine maintenance by removing debris before it sinks to the bottom of the pond, allowing construction in any location, even directly beneath trees.
- Hides the pump and plumbing from view alongside your pond instead of in the pond.
- Won't drain the pond down if a leak develops in the plumbing or waterfalls.
4. Biofalls Filter
- Creates a perfect base for building beautiful, leak-free waterfalls.
- A non-clogging swirl chamber allows even distribution of water, aiding filtration and increasing waterfall width.
- A built-in rock ledge allows this unit to be completely camouflaged out of sight.
5. Rocks and Gravel
- Adding rocks and gravel reduces pond maintenance.
- Gravel, unlike a smooth pond liner, provides surface area for bacteria to colonize.
- Covering the pond liner with gravel protects the liner from harmful UV rays and damage from animals and other sharp objects.
6. Plant Pockets
- Best way to get rid of unsightly planting containers.
- Each pocket is about 6 inches deep.
- They promote health in plant development by allowing the roots to spread throughout surrounding gravel.
Plants
Bacteria
- Marginal plants can be planted directly in the gravel. Their roots will spead throughout the gravel, cleaning the pond by using nutrients and growing vigorously.
Bacteria
- Beneficial bacteria naturally balances the pond.
- Barley Bales and pellets help to break down string algae.