Pond Designs: How To Choose The Right One
Don't limit yourself when considering pond designs. From large swimming ponds with tropical tiki huts to ornamental fish ponds with bamboo fountains, you can create almost anything - and Epiphany has you and your creative ideas covered!
Explore these 5 basic pond designs from which you can customize to suit your taste and lifestyle.
Get creative with these 5 basic pond designs from Epiphany
5 Basic Pond Designs to Make Your Own
1. Ecosystem Ponds
What It Is: An ecosystem pond is "a complete low-maintenance system that works with Mother Nature to provide food, shelter, and safety to the wildlife around it". Great pond designs are created like the ecosystem pond - made to maintain themselves, just as in nature. And while fish may be considered an optional element to an ecosystem pond, they are recommended as an integral part of it because they feed on algae and keep pond water healthy. Want to learn more about an ecosystem pond? .
Best For: An ecosystem pond is best for nature lovers and those who want to provide shelter for the wildlife surrounding them. It's also great for those who would like to invest in a new hobby.
Features: Streams, lots of vegetation, fieldstone boulders, fish such as goldfish and koi
Pros & Cons: Overall low maintenance; however, fish require regular feeding
Cost: $6,000 - $12,500 or more
Epiphany’s 3 main packages include:
6' x 8' Ecosystem Pond with a 3’ long stream for $6,000
8'×11' Ecosystem Pond with a 6’ long stream for $8,000
11'×16' Ecosystem Pond with a 10’ long stream for $12, 500
All packages come complete with:
Fieldstone Boulders
Riverstone
45 EPDM Liner
Commercial Underlay
Biological and Mechanical Filters
LED Lighting
Energy Efficient Pump
Aerator
Aquatic and Garden Berm Perennials
Mulch, Natural Wood Elements and Moss
Above is an 8’ x 11’ ecosystem pond from Epiphany !
2. Recreation Ponds
What It Is: A recreation pond is basically a natural swimming pool that is filtered "using a unique constructed wetland filter and intake bay system".
Best For: People who have little time for maintenance but lots of time for fun in the sun! Families, retirees, and singles alike can all enjoy this chemical-free water, whether they desire some quiet relaxation time floating on their favourite pink raft or a lively splash with the kids (canon balls anyone?). Don’t like swimming? If you have a large rec pond, you can even enjoy boating or paddle-boarding. Your pets may jump in, too!
Features: Pond designs involving rec ponds are highly customizable! They may include rock formations, waterfalls, floating docks, bridges, and even fish if the kids don't mind swimming alongside them! Oh, and remember that tiki bar? Yep, you can add that, too.
Pros & Cons: Overall low maintenance, can be used in the winter season for skating or ice-hockey, etc., but requires yearly clean-out and regular skimming of the debris before swimming.
Cost: According to homeadvisor.com, "swimming ponds cost $50 per square foot to build". Keep in mind that number is in American dollars. Depending on the size and depth of your recreation pond and any customizations, you may be looking at anywhere between $30,000 and $100,000 or more.
Recreation Ponds are chemical-free, highly customizable, and useful for year-round fun!
3. Pondless Waterfalls
What It Is: “Pondless waterfalls are simply a re-circulating waterfall and/or stream without the presence of a pond”.
Are you limited in outdoor space, but still want a water feature? Maybe you can't (or don't want) a traditional pond, but still want the sights and sounds of water at home. Pondless waterfalls provide that!
Best For: People who want near to zero-maintenance and people with limited space
Features: Streams and waterfalls
Pros and Cons: Almost maintenance-free, lower costs, but no space for swimming or fish
Cost: $ 6,100 - $ 11,900 or more
Clearwater's 3 main packages include:
6' Cascading Pondless Waterfall with up to 6' cascading stream and falls for $6,100
10' Cascading Pondless Waterfall with up to 10' cascading stream and falls for $7,700
16' Cascading Pondless Waterfall with up to 16' cascading stream and falls for $11,900
All packages come complete with:
Signature Moss Rockery
Riverstone
45 EPDM Liner
Commercial Underlay
Energy Efficient Pump
LED Lighting
Aquablocks
Pump Vault
Aquatic and Garden Berm Perennials
Natural Wood elements and Moss, Black Earth, Mulch
Save on money but splurge on beauty with a Pondless Waterfall from Epiphany
4. Fountainscapes
What It Is: Fountainscapes are basically pondless waterfalls, disappearing water without the traditional pond or stream, but with a decorative fountain as its highlighted art piece.
As you know, there are various ways to enhance your pond designs. You can incorporate a fountainscape into your pond, or simply let it stand alone if you don't want a pond and want another alternative to a pondless waterfall.
Best For: People with young children who want a safe water feature or people who want little maintenance involved in a water feature; perfect for adding to a deck, patio, lawn, flower garden, or terrace.
Features: Decorative fountains - a piece of art for your garden or pond
Pros and Cons: Energy-efficient, almost no maintenance required, child-friendly, but no space for swimming or fish.
Costs: $2,500 - $3,900 or more
Clearwater offers 3 main packages:
Decorative Stacked Slate Urns starting at $2,500
Spillway Bowl and Basin starting at $3,000
Natural Mongolian Basalts starting at $3,900
Fountainscapes add a personal and artistic touch to your backyard living space
5. Patio Ponds
What It Is: Our last highlight is for people who have very limited space but are still interested in pond designs. Patio ponds are basically small ponds created from some sort of container. Even though you may be land poor, you can be pond rich with the addition of fountains, fish, and plants - just like a regular pond!
Best For: People with a very limited amount of space and a minimal budget
Features: Unique Containers
Pros and Cons: You enjoy a container pond and added water features at a lower price with minimal maintenance, but you sacrifice in size
Costs: $250 - $600 or more
Get these Aquascape Patio Ponds from Epiphany and Customize with your own plants and fountain
Watch this Aquascape video to learn how to install your own Patio Pond
Why Choose Clearwater Creations for Your Pond Design?
With these 5 basic pond designs (or alternatives), you can develop your own master plan. Epiphany provides the expertise, materials, and labour. With over 10 years of experience helping others enjoy pond life, you can trust Epiphany to help you create the best pond designs. Contact them today to get started.
Testimonials
“The pond is absolutely spectacular! We use it everyday, we can’t get the kids out of it. Everyone who see’s it is absolutely blown away!…Can’t thank you enough for the great job, professionalism, and follow up service we received! You guys are truly a grade A company and we feel so lucky to have found you. Please feel free to forward any future clients our way for a reference.”
“Very creative rock artisans... you won’t be disappointed!!!!”
“Fantastic customer service. They are so friendly and helpful every step of the way.”