How Hot Is Your Orlando, Central Florida Pond?

With a heat index of 110 degrees our Orlando, Central Florida ponds are HOT!
In this blog you will learn what we can do make our koi and pond remain happy and healthy.

Warm water has a low capacity for holding oxygen, so you may start to see your fish gasping for air close to the water’s surface, or especially close to a fountain or waterfall. In addition, warm pond water leads to increased activity and that means your fish require more oxygen at a time when it’s least available.

At Pondtastic Water Gardens we believe in using treatments and working with nature rather than using chemicals and working against nature.
How do we do that in Orlando, Central Florida? Water treatments.

We are often asked what can I put in my pond to make the water clear? Or we just bought our home and it has a pond how do I take care of it.

Always remember that there is a HUGE difference between clear water and healthy water. You could have a UV light to keep the water clear however that light does nothing to the organic debris and waste in the pond.
Our goal is a balanced ecosystem which gives us healthy clear water!

Here are a few tips and products to maintaining a healthy balanced ecosystem pond.

We have said for quite a while now that there is a water feature for every person and every budget and we have really seen that this past year.


We have seen a significant rise in the interest in "mid level " features. I think it is mainly due to the increase in available /cost effective options.

How Much Does A Koi Pond Cost in Orlando, Central Florida?

Orlando, Central Florida Pond Pricing

When shopping for a pond contractor in the Orlando, Central Florida area, do your homework.  Just because a contractor gives you a low bid doesn’t necessarily mean they will build a quality water feature.
                                                                                                                                                                     You have heard the saying “You get what you pay for” right?  Well when it comes to a koi pond or water feature the saying is also true.
First make sure you are dealing with a pond professional, Pondtastic ONLY builds water features.         
We are not providing handyman services, pool services or lawn maintenance service.

Are you looking for ways to change or improve the front of your Orlando,Central Florida home by adding water to the landscape?

Water adds a great touch to your landscape, changes to your landscape can be as small as a bubbling rock or possibly a larger pond with a bridge to your front door.
Not to mention the addition of a water feature welcomes you and your guest to the calming affects of water. It doesn't hurt that it also improves the value of your home! 

What is my view? From our dining room I look through our french doors and see dragonflies fluttering on my lotus blossoms and my beautiful waterfall that is framed by lush tropical landscape.

What is your view?

Pondtastic made a big splash at the 2016 Orlando Home and Garden Show.
This year's display featured the new Aquascape Spillway Bowls which was the crowd favorite.

What is your dream pond? Do you want a large pond so you can have big koi swimming gracefully by? Or is it to have a pond that always blooming with beautiful aquatic plants?

       AFTER PONDTASTIC                                                 BEFORE PONDTASTIC

What an amazing view these home owners have as they look out onto their Orlando, Central Florida (FL) backyard on  Lake Butler.

Have you ever noticed that many Dr. offices and Dentist offices often have aquariums in them?
           “Fish tanks and displays are often associated with attempts at calming patients in doctors' surgeries and dental waiting rooms," said PhD student Deborah Cracknell.
Watching fish and marine creatures going about their daily lives, swimming and meandering is oddly soothing and hypnotic. And, according to research recently published in Environment & Behavior, it’s good for your health too.

Our service areas include all areas in Central Florida
Orlando, Kissimmee, Windermere, Winter Garden, Winter Springs, Melbourne, Winter Park, Clermont,Apopka, Longwood, Altamonte Springs, Oviedo, Lake Nona, Kissimmee, St Cloud, Davenport, Poinciana, Melbourne, Viera, Merritt Island, Cocoa Beach, Indian Harbour, Lake Butler, Bay Hill, Hunters Creek, Maitland, Casselberry, Sanford, Deland, Celebration, Heathrow, Baldwin Park, Auburndale, Harmony, Haines City, Narcoossee, Metro West, Zellwood, Tavares, Groveland, Meadow Woods, Azalea Park, Williamsburg, Palm Bay, Titusville, Rockledge, Mascotte, Minneola, Ocoee, Reunion, Champions Gate, Southchase,
 

This is the first question people ask when they are “pondering” the addition of a pondless waterfall to their landscape.

While it sounds like a simple question, how much does an “average” pondless waterfall cost? A true water feature expert will take this question and ask for a definition of “average.”

Pond Stars
This is an exciting time to be a Pond Builder or Hobbyist!  Many landscape and gardening programs have highlighted the use of Water Gardens in various settings, but none have really been able to capture the true artistry and holistic effects of the "Water Garden Lifestyle".  Backyard Ponds or water gardens have always taken a back seat to some other "Cool" component on the show, like an outdoor grill or gazebo, and the rest of the time is usually dedicated to the "Back Story" about the reason for the renovation.

There is always something new that I want to add to our pond at home or that I want to change. With each year something new comes on the market or I want my waterfall updated to look similar to our latest Pondtastic creation. So I often say this waterfall needs work, much to Jim's dismay.

How much does it cost to clean my pond? Is a question we get asked every spring and fall. The answer is....every pond is different. Let's look at what goes into pricing your pond clean out.


What size is your pond? 8'x11',11'x16', 16'x20' These are the most common pond sizes in the Orlando, Central Florida area.

When was the last time the pond was cleaned out?
The pricing is based on regular pond maintenance, if the pond has been cleaned on an annual basis then your pond will not have as much debris on the floor as a pond that was last cleaned 18 months or longer.

          BEFORE                                                AFTER

What is your vegetation growth like?
The more overgrown the pond is the more it traps debris and decomposed plant life.

I always enjoy walking around the backyard with a future pond owner and discussing the various subjects that always seem to come up when you are discussing the possibilities of their property but, there is nothing better than having that same discussion with someone who has called you to create in their backyard because they have seen how you transformed their friends yard. We had recently completed an ecosystem pond and waterfall for her friend also in the the community of Lake Nona. It was a transformation of the courtyard entryway and she was stunned by the finish product.

Far too often we are faced with a client from the Orlando, Central Florida (FL) area that has been mislead or even lied to regarding the creation of a water feature or pond. It is always a similar story:

"I wanted a pond and a beautiful waterfall and the guy who cuts my grass told me that he could build it"
or
" I wanted a beautiful pond and waterfall and I saw some pictures of ponds he said he built"
or my personal favorite
"I wanted to add a beautiful pond and waterfall and you guys just seemed too expensive, so I hired " insert company name here" and this is what they built. Can you fix it?"

What is a water feature?

At first you might think that is a simple question that could easily be answered in a few words.

But my hope is that after reading this you will have a new appreciation of the REAL question and the answer.
You see, a water feature is according to Wikipedia: a water feature is one or more items from a range of fountains, pools, ponds, cascades, waterfalls, and streams..... but to us it is really much more.

I know the title sounds like a best selling murder mystery title but we are really going to talk about the pH readings in your pond and how they change, what changes it and what you need to be worried about.

As our weather finally gets back to normal acceptable Orlando, Central Florida (FL) temperatures as pond owners we know what is around the corner. The summer heat !

Yeah we all complain about the cold and make comments about the weather but we all really want that perfect compromise of the extremes. There is nothing we can do to stop it, the summer heat and afternoon thunderstorms will be here before we know it. Start to prepare NOW...