Can anyone give me some good reasons to get a pond? Just asking.........

Looking for some feedback from people who own ponds or have built ponds.
Waterfall Fish Pond, Water Gardens, Ponds, Waterfalls, Ecosystem Ponds, Pond Plans, Streams, Outdoor Living, Outdoor Life Styles, Butterfly Gardens, Water Features, Bird Baths by Acorn Landscaping of Rochester NY 585-442-6373
  52 answers
  • Gem Ponds Inc. Gem Ponds Inc. on Sep 04, 2012
    That's easy..To vacation at home everyday!
  • Becky H Becky H on Sep 05, 2012
    Gem Ponds, the reasons could be a mile long list, depending, but for 2 completely different concepts: ponds and moving water are very relaxing; anyone with daily stress will find it healing to relax and absorb the activities of a pond. Next: enviromentalists or nature lovers will enjoy and be fascinated by the independent ecosystem/enviroment which will evolve from the pond's installation.
  • Tammy Tammy on Sep 05, 2012
    The wildlife the pond will draw.
  • The photo says it all. If you are not in the Rochester, NY area and want more information on how your yard can be transformed with a custom built water feature, go to http://www.aquascapeinc.com/findcontractors.php to find a Certified Aquascape Contractor near you who can help you build your slice of heaven.
  • Turpin Landscaping Inc Turpin Landscaping Inc on Sep 05, 2012
    Peace and tranquility! And your friends and family will love stopping over to visit!
  • Michelle W Michelle W on Sep 05, 2012
    I second what Tammy said. You will be amazed at all the birds and butterflies who will visit for a drink or a little bath. Plant a few plants nearby that will attract them too.
  • H2O Designs H2O Designs on Sep 05, 2012
    to give back to Mother Nature! We take so much away from nature that when we build a pond, we are creating our own living ecosystem to support plant and animal life!
  • It's the first thing I see in the morning and the last thing I see at night I wouldn't have a day without it. Being in business is super stressful not to mention life in general so this is a huge D stressor for me. No doctor or meds required!
  • Jim B Jim B on Sep 06, 2012
    I have three koi ponds that spill into each other. I hung a hammock between two oaks that are nearby and spend many enjoyable afternoons in the hammock reading while I listen to the splashing waterfalls from the ponds. Lowers my blood pressure immediately!
  • TRD Designs Ltd. TRD Designs Ltd. on Sep 06, 2012
    There are few things in life that are magical. Water features is one of those things that are truly enjoyable and never, ever do I get tired of building them.
  • Jan P Jan P on Sep 06, 2012
    Love the sounds - we have 4 koi in ours - and they are really fun....ours fits right into our landscaping - not huge - but surrounded by small trees, and lots of plants - very relaxing!!
  • Just add water Just add water on Sep 09, 2012
    A well done pond can be so relaxing, one not done so well can cause a lot of stress. The water garden in the backyard offers so much, from a place we can can unwind and enjoy ourselves to a oasis for suburban wildlife.
  • Carla K Carla K on Sep 09, 2012
    After having our entire back yard torn up by having to put in a new septic system, including a 48 foot long, 12 foot deep and 8 foot wide leach field, our yard was looking like a new construction site. I decided to put in a pond, dug it all by hand and now, 4 years later it's the most beautiful focal point in the entire yard and was a big seller too when we put the house on the market. A pond, once established will give you pleasure year round. The sound of the running waterfall, the wild life to comes to visit. (In our case even bears taking a dip in it, we live in Colorado) and at nights, the yard is lit up with under water lights, I installed. What pleasure to just look out of the window and see it, sit on the deck or by the pond itself. The new place we are purchasing will have a water feature in the future. I simply love to create!
  • Acorn Ponds & Waterfalls Acorn Ponds & Waterfalls on Sep 09, 2012
    What a wonderful story Carla. Thank you very much for sharing. And thank you all for sharing! It is really great to see just how much enjoyment people get from having a water garden. It is also good to see that if a Pond is installed correctly, it can add value to your home as Carla touched on.
  • Carla K Carla K on Sep 10, 2012
    Thanks Acorn. I have to admit, I am very lucky to have a friend who has a degree in landscape architecture. His tips were priceless. Still I needed to learn a lot. I found a water lily that actually makes it through the harsh winters here in Ouray, CO. I have to lower them to the deepest part of the pond during the winter month, then raise them close to the surface in spring. Rebuild the waterfall several times too before it worked correctly and learned what plants are not going to be eaten by deer or being preserved by putting plants around it that deer do not touch. Lavender works real great for that and so a daisies. Now my stargazer lilies remain untouched.
  • Sharon Wisniewski Sharon Wisniewski on Sep 10, 2012
    I love mine. My husband finally caved in and started the work. We live on the lake so he saw no reason for a pond. Ha The sound of the water, the fish, frogs, toads, turtles, the flowers, the lights.....I love it. BTW: we bought 5 fish 5yrs ago.......There is no way to know how many goldfish are in there now. I bought 1 koi and it was the first to go. I am all goldfish now.....
  • Acorn Ponds & Waterfalls Acorn Ponds & Waterfalls on Sep 19, 2012
    Here in Rochester NY, I have been asked to build a pond for several different reasons. A Pond with a small Waterfall can help reduce noise pollution from a nearby street or neighbors. It also provides a great place to entertain and can increase communication between couples.
  • Sherrie S Sherrie S on Sep 19, 2012
    It doesn't take much to get started and over time you will want to enhance the original pond. Nothing is more relaxing and peaceful.
  • KneeDeep Ponds, Inc. KneeDeep Ponds, Inc. on Sep 29, 2012
    With one pond for my fish (all Koi) and two working ponds for fish and plants that go into ponds we build, I don't know what I would do without them. With 80' of stream and over 1200 sq ft of pond surface I'm still trying to talk my wife into more pond...maybe a swimming pond....yeah that's the ticket
  • Phyllis Diebolt Phyllis Diebolt on Sep 29, 2012
    I enjoy our pond but it does require work at certain times of the year. I love the way it attracts wildlife and provides a water source for birds during the summer dry spells. I keep goldfish in mine to control mosquito larva and have lots of water plants to create a biological cycle to deal with fish waste and algae. I just need to figure out what to do with all the baby goldfish! You can only give so many away. (The adult goldfish are about 10 years old.)
  • Huohaier Huohaier on Sep 30, 2012
    it needs a lot of work,i think...http://www.51zxw.net/study.asp?vip=5804509
  • Sherrie S Sherrie S on Sep 30, 2012
    @phylis D, I love the hyacinth in your pond. I had them but they are illegal in Florida.
  • Toni L Toni L on Oct 02, 2012
    Ponds are beautiful, tranquil and provide water for wildlife if that is what you are looking for. Careful putting certain fish in unless you want to feed the birds. At least if you are in Florida that is.
  • Sherrie S Sherrie S on Oct 27, 2012
    @Toni L It doesn't matter what kind of fish you have in Florida - the heron will eat them when he finds your pond.
  • Acorn Ponds & Waterfalls Acorn Ponds & Waterfalls on Oct 28, 2012
    Another benefit to having a Pond is that they provide a great space for entertaining family and friends.
  • Sherrie S Sherrie S on Oct 28, 2012
    @Acorn Ponds & Waterfalls I agree with you. The pond quiets the mind, children love it as do their parents because it entertains the kids. Like anything else, there is some work to the pond but the payback is outstanding.
  • Penny T Penny T on Dec 03, 2012
    I always wanted a pond myself. My first pond was a 15 gallon preform and lasted an entire summer before I was ready for an upgrade. The next pond was a 120 gallon preform. It lasted two summers before I had to have a lined pond. Now I have a 2500 gallon lined pond and 5 yrs later I'm looking to upgrade to something larger. I love to spend every available night relaxing by the pond watching the koi, goldfish and all the lilies. True, there's some work involved, but even that is minimal, if done right. I"m still learning, living and loving my pond and entire garden.
  • Acorn Ponds & Waterfalls Acorn Ponds & Waterfalls on Dec 05, 2012
    Hey @Penny T , thanks for commenting! This just re-instates the #1 problem with ponds. People always want to make them bigger. This is why I always tell people to get the biggest one they can afford because they will want a larger one. Also good feedback about the maintenance part Penny. Many people believe having a pond requires a lot of work but that is just not true.
  • Judith Monti Judith Monti on Dec 05, 2012
    We've had our pond/stream for 5 growing seasons. I love what it has done for the backyard. Love watching the plants grow as well as the fish! Very tranquil at night when our dog has his final backyard visit. I love feeding the fish with the lights on while waiting for Crenshaw to finish his evening business. It does add to your garden work but not too much if you take care of spring and fall duties quickly! I would miss it!
  • Acorn Ponds & Waterfalls Acorn Ponds & Waterfalls on Dec 06, 2012
    Thanks @Judith Monti for writing. I think a lot of people with dogs just open the door and let them out to do their business and it is a chore to wait for them. It doesn't have to be chore to let the dog out anymore! We can relax and feed the fish while the landscape lighting is on!
  • The question is why wouldn't you get a water feature? Do your research and your all set. I would advise being somewhat handson as interracting with your project is key and the installation should be approached with this in mind. Dogs, children, your lifestyle, realistic expectations...etc. are all topics we focus on as we get to know our clients. Then all you have to do is pray that Liquid Designz / Legends of Rock is in your area:) Good luck and feel free to contact Liquid Designz for all your water feature questions. Indoor questions as well.
  • Acorn Ponds & Waterfalls Acorn Ponds & Waterfalls on Jan 11, 2013
    After reading all these great comments and you are thinking of adding an Ecosystem Pond or Water Feature to a Garden at your home or business, please click here to find a Certified Aquascape Contractor in your area: http://www.aquascapeinc.com/findcontractors.php
  • In Connecticut, contact TJB-INC Landscape Contractor at 203-287-0636 and see our work at www.TJB-inc.com
  • BJL Aquascapes BJL Aquascapes on Jan 17, 2013
    It's a great place to drain a bottle of wine !!
  • Jane Staael Jane Staael on Jan 22, 2013
    I built a pond a couple years ago, and is some work, but I love it and so does everyone else. I enjoy working around it, and it is my hobby and play time outside, then get to sit and watch the koi. I should have done it sooner.
  • Acorn Ponds & Waterfalls Acorn Ponds & Waterfalls on Jan 23, 2013
    I with you Bj, Jane and Honeyallen, Ponds are a great place to hang out, chill out and tinker around looking for ways to make them even more beautiful. I often here people say they wish they would have gotten a water garden sooner. Another common statement is "I wish I would have made it bigger." A lot of people start out small. Later they realize how much enjoyment owning a Fish Pond or Waterfall Pond can bring and they want to enlarge it.
  • Patricia H Patricia H on Jan 25, 2013
    I HAND DUG MY POND WITH A SHOVEL WHEN I WAS 65 PUT IN THE LINER AND SET UP MY OWN SKIMMER SYSTEM AND BUILT A SKIPPY BIO FILTER THAT FEEDS MY WATERFALL AND STREAM. A YEAR LATER I ADDED A 2ND WATERFALL AND SKIPPY FILTER MY POND IS 12 X 22 FEET AND 4 FT DEEP I HAVE 80 OR MORE KOI NOW AND I ABSOLUTELY LOVE MY POND CAN'T IMAGINE NOT SETTING OUT IN THE MORNING WATCHING MY FISH AND BIRDS AND ENJOYING GODS BEAUTY AROUND ME I JUST HAD MY 70TH BIRTHDAY AND I AM STILL IN LOVE WITH MY WATER GARDEN
  • Acorn Ponds & Waterfalls Acorn Ponds & Waterfalls on Jan 25, 2013
    Wow, what an amazing story Patricia! How wonderful that you found the way to build a pond because after you built it you could see how much you can enjoy it. This is a great reason to have a pond. If you could share with us any more details of your pond, I would love to hear them.
  • Marcia Reichert Marcia Reichert on Jan 27, 2013
    We dug a small pond between our air conditioner and our favorite shaded sitting area. The trickles masked the noisy unit and it's also quite soothing. We put in some feeder goldfish and they kept it pretty clean. It was also fun to watch the frogs and toads hatch . Had a LOT of toads. We had to have a light on outside at night so we wouldn't step on them. Then somebody told the nieghborhood snakes. so we had to be carful of those too. Very enjoyable until we got dogs! They wouldn't stay out. Anyway, no more pond. Too much activity. Wasn't soothing anymore. May try a fountain!
  • Acorn Ponds & Waterfalls Acorn Ponds & Waterfalls on Jan 27, 2013
    Hi Marcia thanks for writing. How sad to read your story. What a shame you could not find the right profesional to help you take care of your pond and keep it under control. The truth is that a pond is to enjoy. If one day you dicide to have another, I can help. Fountains are also a great addition to any garden and will help to add ambiance. Another type of water feature you may like is a Pondless Waterfall. Let me know if I can assist you.
  • Melissa Gutilla Melissa Gutilla on Jan 27, 2013
    I had a pond outside the house we rented and loved it. It was alot of work since it was built incorrectly. The rain water would run off and throw mulch and everything else it could pick up into the pond. We bought this house the first of Feb. and I can't wait for spring so I can get started on my new here! The main problem I had with the other pond was it kept turning green with algae! I think it was because it had a ledge that was only 6 inches maybe below water level which seemed to be where all the algae would grow! Any ideas???
  • Acorn Ponds & Waterfalls Acorn Ponds & Waterfalls on Jan 28, 2013
    Hi Melissa, thanks for writing. That 6 inch deep ledge is perfect for installing a group of aquatic plants called marginals. They love this shallow water and will help take the nutrients out of the water that the algae compete for. It is also a good idea to put some lilies towards the bottom in deeper water. They will also provide shade and protection for your fish. You can buy a couple of floating aquatic plants such as water lettuce as well. These plants will help balance out your pond and add beauty at the same time.
  • Acorn Ponds & Waterfalls Acorn Ponds & Waterfalls on Jan 28, 2013
    It may be difficult to think about this now but another benefit to having a pond is that they provide a cooling affect. Ponds and water features can be a joy to hang around on a hot day for this reason.
  • Melissa Gutilla Melissa Gutilla on Jan 29, 2013
    I actually had 2 water lilies in the pond but no marginals. What are marginals? That way I know what to put in when we do our new one in a few months. Also how deep should I make the pond at it's deepest point. The old pond was about 3 foot in one spot the rest was about 2.
  • Acorn Ponds & Waterfalls Acorn Ponds & Waterfalls on Jan 29, 2013
    @Melissa, very good to put those Pond Lilies in! How well did they grow? Did you get lot of beautiful flowers from them? Marginal Pond Plants are a group of Aquatic Plants that normally grow at the edge of a Pond or Wetland Area. They don't like deep water and for this reason we make a shelf 6-8" to plant them. There are many varieties to choose from. Here in Rochester NY, we design and install most of our Ponds to be 2' deep. Click here to see our Ecosystem Pond Diagram: http://acornlandscaping.net/ecosystem.html. Click here to learn more about Pond Design and Installation: https://www.facebook.com/notes/acorn-landscaping-landscape-designlightingbackyard-water-gardens/acorn-landscaping-designs-installs-aquascape-ecosystem-water-garden-fish-ponds-i/464917560212038
  • Melissa Gutilla Melissa Gutilla on Jan 30, 2013
    The lilies did very well the first 2 years. However I didn't realize they needed to be divided until last year. So the last year they were a little bunched up and didn't do as well. But now I know! lol I def. will look at your site and take notes. I'm hoping we can get started building the pond the end of March. Thanks for the help! I'm sure I will have many questions in the coming months! lol
  • Acorn Ponds & Waterfalls Acorn Ponds & Waterfalls on Jan 30, 2013
    Ok @Melissa , keep us posted and take lots of pictures before, during and after. Go ahead and post them here please.
  • Acorn Ponds & Waterfalls Acorn Ponds & Waterfalls on Mar 17, 2014
    Thanks for the answers, but I'm still hoping for more ideas.
  • Acorn Ponds & Waterfalls Acorn Ponds & Waterfalls on Mar 17, 2014
    Here's a backyard pond we constructed(Acorn Landscaping) in Rochester NY last year. Is anyone thinking about getting a pond installed this year?
  • Ms.saltlife Ms.saltlife on Jan 20, 2016
    I want to build a self sufficient pond The only down fall is my water flowers wont survive {I was told} I was going to make a water fall that does not use a pump I think its doable
  • Barbara Gallyot Barbara Gallyot on Jun 29, 2019

    Its beautiful , makes you smile and your friends are amazed !. requires some work and expense , you must know this already !

  • We have one, love it, it was literally a Kmart special. We bought .15 feeder fish and today they're the size of koi and we adore them. It doesn't take that much maintenance and we overwinter the fish outside in a very cold, northeast climate.