Frequently Asked Questions
It can be difficult to know how to start your pond project, this page will answer some of those burning questions for you. We'll add more information periodically so come back and check when in doubt and send us questions that others might also like answered. Most of all, enjoy the process and you'll love the result.
Q. What do I need to get started.
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A. In many cases our clients start from scratch so the basics are that you'll need a water feature from us, a pump of an appropriate flow rate and strength (we can point you in the right direction) access to power or solar panel powered pump and a pond which could be a dedicated pond or a converted planter.
That's really it.
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Q. How do I chose a water feature on your site.
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A. It's a matter of personal choice is the most obvious answer but there are some practical considerations to take into account. How big would you like it to be ?, we can make any of our pieces to your desired size but in their standard sizes all but the trees are around 90cm tall and will need a 75-100cm pond to look right and contain the flow of water. The narrowest are the Bulrush and bamboo then the 3 flower arum and then the 5 flower arum. That order also describes the rising level of the sound they make. Beyond those pieces are the trees which can be made to any size as well but are typically 100-120cm as standard and typically need a slightly larger pond but we can discuss that at time of order.
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Q. How do I set up my new water feature ?
A. Your water feature will come with a concrete base for stability, and will have a 13mm copper tube for you to fit a piece of garden hose to in order to connect your pump. Then it is as easy as placing the pump and water feature in your pond and turning the pump on. It will recirculate the water in the pond and topping up will only be necessary if you lose some to evaporation and it's not naturally refilled with occasional rain.
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Q. What type or size of pump will I need ?
A. The size of pump you need will depend on the style and size of water feature that you are running. The bigger trees will need a stronger pump, however for the Arums, Bamboo and Bulrushes we recommend a pump with a flow rate of 750 Litres per hour or more. You can find a Low Voltage 750 L/h pump at Bunnings which is our preferred option - as this has a garden safe 12V cable and it can be extended beyond the 5 metres that it is supplied with. We run our pump on a timer plug so that the water feature will turn on and off automatically.
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It is possible to run the water features on a Solar pump, however, you must be prepared for the water feature to stop if it is a cloudy day or there is no sun. Again, you will need to ensure the Solar pump has the correct flow rate for your particular water feature.
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The trees will need a pump with a flow rate over 1000 Litres per hour. Speak to us at time of ordering for more information as it will be size dependent.
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Q. What is the best size and style of pond ?
A. This will depend on personal taste and the particular water feature you buy. One consideration is the “splash zone” - if the pond is positioned in a garden bed or surrounded by plants this may not be a factor, but if it is placed on pavers for example you should bear this in mind as any splash onto tile, for example, could produce a slip risk.
We do advise clients that it is not necessary to buy a dedicated pond, you can use a garden planter and using a product called Aqua Knead-it, you can plug the drainage hole to transfer the planter into a pond. We recommend buying a pond or planter made of either GFRC or Poly plastic, Fibre glass should be avoided as this can become brittle and crack leading to leakage.
One trick we have is to build a shelf or ledge inside the planter which will give you a larger flat internal surface ( especially if you use a planter with sloping sides ) and this means you can place some aquatic plants around the water feature as well making the whole design look more attractive.
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​Q. Where should I position the pond ?
A. This is a personal choice, but following on from the pond selection details, putting the pond inside the garden bed can help with the splash zone and having plants growing around the water feature looks attractive and encourages wild birds and insects.
If your preferred site has garden plants that are very tall you could put the pond on top of a plinth to raise it up. In other situations it might make sense to hide the pond underground and have the water feature flowing into a hidden pond at ground level.
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Q. Should I add aquatic plants ?
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A. We find putting aquatic plants in your pond helps to naturalise the look. If you use strap leaf plants they can help catch any splash and direct the water back into the pond. If you are after a little creature ecosystem they can help provide cover from predators.
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Q. What maintenance do I need to do ?
A. When you purchase your water feature it will have a protective coating of Penetrol on it - this helps to keep the copper looking its best and delays the natural oxidation and verdigris from surfacing. If you wish to maintain this look you will need to reapply the Penetrol on a 6 monthly basis. We recommend doing it on a sunny day and removing the water feature from the pond and letting it dry thoroughly first. After applying the product leave the water feature out of the water for another day or two until the product has fully dried and soaked in.
This is a good time to also do any cleaning of the pond and the pump. If done twice a year this will be a simple process.
We recommend a product called Splosht to keep the algae levels down in your pond.
If you find at any time your water feature is not running as fully as it originally did, you can flush it through by disconnecting the pump, attaching a garden hose attached to mains and running water through it at a faster rate, this should flush out any debris caught inside the components of the water feature.
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