Pond Kits—by PONDBUILDER™ think outside the box

Boxed pond kit are a thing of the past. While we still keep a few select box kits in stock, the out of box “kits” are custom tailored to your specific needs. No more being stuck with the wrong size liner, too many or not enough lights, or the pump not designed for your specific application. We will still make sure that you have everything you need for a successful install, and we offer a 5% discount on custom kit configurations. Ask our professional staff for free advise and help in designing your “kit”. Prices range from complete Cascading Falls™ systems for under $500.00 , to complete DIY eco-system Serenity™ and Crystal Falls™ pond installations from around $800.00 , to the professional contractor grade Elite™ kit s from $1300.00 , to “Sky is the Limit” lake systems. The possibilities are endless when you think outside the box.

The materials needed to create a “pond kit” consist of 5 main items.

A water intake. This can be a traditional skimmer box, found in most back yard ponds. It can be a wet well in a lake system. It can be an under gravel pump canyon as in a “pondless” stream system or a disappearing edge pond.

A pump assembly. This is the “heart” of a pond. It needs to move the water from the pond or waterfall's low point up to its highest point. It needs to have the proper flow to maintain adequate filtration and aeration of the water. It should be specked out for the virtual head height to give you maximum amount of water flow for the least amount of energy expended. A check-valve would be considered part of the pump assembly, but there are some situations where it is not absolutely necessary.

Pipe. Flexible PVC has made pond installations much easier than the old method of rigid pipe and elbow fittings. Not only is it quick, but it maximizes the pump's water flow rate by not having any sharp angles to go around. The pipe should be chosen based on the flow rate of the pump.

A water outflow. This can be a traditional filter fall to increase the effective filtering of your ecosystem. These falls allow for simple hookup of the pipe and for attaching liner for a leak-free waterfall. They allow for even distribution of water and can be raised to create an even greater water drop. For a cascading waterfall, all that is required is a spillway box to allow the water to flow evenly. Filtration is not required since you are not establishing an ecosystem. A water outflow can also be a wetland area designed to be an even more natural looking and a highly effective filter for the water in your system.

Liner and underlayment. The liner holds the water and keeps it from soaking into the ground. The liner used for most pond installations is a fish-safe 45-mil EPDM rubber. It is easy to work with and has a life expectancy of about 40 years when covered with rock and water. It is easy to repair if punctured. Underlayment cloth makes the liner installation complete. It provides for protection from sharp objects, makes it easier to move the liner around while installing it, adds soil stability to the pond excavation, and provides for off-gassing of ground gasses or water buildup.

Lights. I know, I said 5 main items. Lights are not absolutely necessary for a pond installation, but to provide hours of enjoyment, when most homeowners are home, lights are a must have in any pond. There are now more choices than ever before. There are the traditional halogen bulbs and the newer LED light assemblies to the ultimate fiber-optic systems. They are almost always 12v low-voltage systems, except in fiber-optic systems, where there is no electricity in the pond at all.