Frequently Asked Questions
Pondless Waterfall
What is a Pondless Waterfall? A Pondless Waterfall is just what you think it is... a waterfall without a pond. You know not everyone wants a pond but very few people can deny the enjoyment of the sound and beauty of a waterfall.
- Great for people who don't want a pond...just a waterfall and stream. Fits in small spaces.
- Perfect for public settings where child safety or the liabilities of a pond may be a concern.
- Virtually maintenance free! Simple refill the reservoir every few weeks or add a water fill valve in the snorkel vault to compensate for water loss due to evaporation.
- Great alternative for a front yard pond.
- No ecological need to run the system continuously. Set a timer - ideal for vacations and night/day settings.
- No fish.
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.
Where does the water come from? A hole, deeper than a normal pond, is dug, then lined and filled with rock, gravel and water. The water is then circulated from beneath the rocks and gravel by a pump that sits on the bottom.
Where does the water go? The water runs through a pipe up to a filter and down a constructed waterfall and stream, where it falls back into the reservoir.
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. If your contractor is resourceful, they'll make sure they leave enough room for a pond to be added later.
Do I have to shut down my pondless waterfall in the winter? It is Optional. To shut down, disconnect and remove pump from housing and store in a pail of water in a non-freezing location. Use a pump to drain the basin.
Ponds
How much does it cost? A fully installed water feature is similarly priced to a hot tub. A well -designed water feature includes: mechanical and biological filteration, pump and plumbing, 45 mil EPDM liner and underlayment, a berm, underwater lighting, rock work, and a waterfall. Your water feature requires no chemicals, no test kits, is very low maintenance and will actually increase your property value.
How much electricity does it use? This is a very important question often overlooked by inexperienced installers. It's not just based on the size of the pump, but more importantly, the efficiency of the pump. Purely Ponds only installs the highest efficiency pump available. Our smallest pump's average electrical use is $18-$22 per month for a 3000 gallon per hour pump. Purely Ponds most popular pump is the 6000 gallon per hour pump with an average electrical usage of $38-$42 per month. We may also run 2 of these pumps in a series for a dramatic waterfall.
Do I need additional home owners insurance on a pond? No. Recreational water feature construction less than 2 feet deep do not require additional home owners insurance or permits.
Do I have to shut down my pond in the winter? It is Optional. To shut down, disconnect and remove pump from skimmer and store in a pail of water in a non-freezing location. For aquatic life, install an energy efficient pond de-icer and a smaller pump or larger air stone that breaks the surface of the water for oxygenation.
Does having a pond mean lots of mosquitoes? Mosquitoes will generally lay their eggs in still, stagnet water. The pond water is moving down the falls or stream and into the skimmer. If the mosquitoes do happen top lay eggs in your pond and the mosquitoe larvae hatch, the fish will consider them a treat and will pick them off the surface with enthusiasm. Your skimmer will sweep up whatever the fish miss.
Do I need to bring the fish inside over the winter? No. Fish do fine during the coldest winters as long as you give them two feet of water to swim in, oxygenate the water and keep a hole in the ice allowing naturally produced gasses to escape from under the ice. Otherwise, you let Mother Nature do the rest. The fish will spend the entire winter hibernatingt at the bottom of the pond and then they will slowly wake as the water warms in the spring.
How do I care for and maintain the water feature in the winter. For Ponds and Pondless Waterfalls, disconnect the auto fill line during freezing temperatures in order to prevent damage to your household plumbing.
Trim dead plant material before it begins rotting in the water. Trim a few inches above the water line. Note: Attractive fall foliage is fine to be left until spring or cut as needed.
Keep water full. Be especially proactive just before and during extended cold snaps. Generally fill the day before the coldest weather and the day after, if it is going to be an extended extreme cold period. Note: If the ice drops below the level of the full water line, just fill up over top of the ice.
Switch from using Hydro-Topia Dry Bacteria to Cold Temp Hydro-Topia Liquid Bacteria. Continue to use Eco-Buster and Eco-Vescence as needed.
In most cases, do not chip or break ice. The only exception is in the rare case of an ice dam or ice diverting water over the edge of the liner. Note: Generally placing an object (rock) on the opening to redirect the water will solve this problem.
For ponds, install an energy efficient floating pond de-icer just off to the side of the skimmer opening to prevent ice blockage during extreme extended cold periods. Note: Do not place directly in front of skimmer opening, as it would interfere with skimmer operation.
