theaquascapeecosystem®
Skimmer
The skimmer
filter is the most user-friendly design on the market today. This
molded polyethylene vault is buried alongside the pond edge. A
re-circulating pump is housed inside and pulls water and surface debris
into an easily removed catch bag. Maintenance is a breeze with
only a periodic weekly or even monthly emptying of the bag depending
on debris loads. A horizontal filter pad traps smaller debris
without preventing water from reaching the pump. An automatic
fill valve can be added to keep your water level constant so you never
have to worry about filling your pond again.
BIOFALLS®
The BIOFALLS®
revolutionized pond filtration by becoming the first biological filter
that, when installed, becomes a waterfall. Its design includes
a molded shelf allowing for easy stone placement which completely
camouflages the unit. A multi media filtration area consisting
of three filter pads, bags for lava rocks and, finally, an area for
floating or marginal plants, is extremely effective at filtering the
water. The BIOFALLS® will never crack, unlike rigid fiberglass
designs, which can easily crack over time.
Rocks
and Gravel
Adding
rocks and gravel to a pond solves many traditional pond problems.
Contrary to popular opinion, adding rocks and gravel reduces
pond maintenance. Gravel, unlike smooth pond liners, provides
surface area for bacteria to colonize. Fish waste and other
organic matter that settles to the pond bottom gets broken down by
the bacteria living there. Anaerobic sludge is therefore decreased
naturally the way nature intended it to be. Additionally, covering
the pond liner with gravel protects the liner from harmful UV rays
and damage from animals and other sharp objects. The
rocks and gravel aslo help hold down the liner during high ground
water conditions and creates areas for fish to hide when predators
come around. Finally, a stone bottom looks far more natural
and is safer to walk on than an exposed slippery rubber liner.
Bacteria
Aquaclearer
bacteria naturally balances the pond while Ecoblast and String Algae
Buster break down long string algae growing in the pond.
Liner
A strong
45-mil EPDM liner is the best choice for most pond installations.
Unlike concrete, it is easy and inexpensive to install and won´t
crack. When covered with stone, it has a 40-year life expectancy.
Underlayment
A woven
needle punched underlayment forms a soft padding for the liner. Unlike
newspapers, it´s quick to install. Unlike sand, it completely
covers the vertical areas of the pond shelves. And, unlike carpet
padding, it allows gases to escape out the sides while looking more
professional.
Plants
Marginal
plants can be planted directly in the gravel. Their roots will
spread throughout the gravel, cleaning the pond by using nutrients
and growing vigorously.
Fish
Fish, like
Koi and goldfish, can be successfully kept, and even bred, in water
that is only 18 inches deep.
Plant
pockets
Plant pockets,
around 6 inches deep and filled with soil, promote health in plant
development by allowing the roots to spread through surrounding gravel.
Water lilies grow in their natural state without unsightly pots
to detract from your ponds natural beauty.
pondless™waterfall
Why
is it called a Pondless™ Waterfall?
Since the
water level never pools above the level of the rock and gravel fill,
it gives the appearance of a pondless waterfall.
Why
would I want a Pondless™ Waterfall?
- Great
alternative to a front yard pond, fits in small places where a pond
might be crowded
- Perfect
for public settings
- Virtually
maintenance free
- Energy
efficient - no ecological need to run the system automatically
- Set
a timer - ideal for vacations and night/day settings
- No ecosystem
to worry about (fish, etc.)
How
does a Pondless™ Waterfall circulate?
The water
held within the open spaces of the gravel flows down toward the Centipede™
Module, which is connected to the Snorkel™ Vault. From there,
it gets pumped up to the waterfall, where it flows by gravity back
down through the gravel bed and Centipede™ Module...and the
cycle begins again.
What
if I want to add a pond later?
A Pondless™
Waterfall is almost a stepping-stone for people who might be interested
in a full-fledged pond in the future.