If I Could...

If I could have a moment of your time BEFORE you go out and buy an Aquascape installation, I'd like to share some thoughts with you. This list will lengthen over time as I get more time to add items, or as new concepts are thought of as I enjoy my own Aquascape pond. If I'd change something now, after dirt has flown, wouldn't it be nice to change these things as you get ready to dig?

View the videos
Probably the most important item on this page. Aquascape Design, Inc. produces LOTS of instructional and introductory videos in several formats. These videos tell you all about the ponds, and how they're supposed to be installed and maintained. Your installer should be able to provide several titles on DVD for less than eight dollars each. Don't balk at paying for these because they are worth every penny and will serve you well. WATCH these videos before you finalize an installation contract ,or finalize your installation design because they could result in better informed design changes. The videos are HIGHLY instructive and they will allow you enough information to recognize when and IF your installer is "making it up as he goes along" which happens quite disturbingly, a lot. If your installer has not watched the videos, you would be certifiably CRAZY to hire them. If you've chosen a certified installer, chances are they've contributed to the creation of those videos.

Choose your Location Wisely
Most people are tempted to put their ponds in the trouble spots of their yards. "Well, the water always pools there during heavy rains, anyway! So it should be perfect for a pond!" but that's erroneous. Fact is, when you put your pond in a yard's low spot, it will collect the yards runoff, including pet wastes, fertilizers, insecticides, "acid rain", etc. Not good. Put the pond in a favorable spot with good drainage, filtered (by leaves) sunlight and direct sunlight for a lot of the day. More sun is better than less sun if you have to choose but some balance is prioritized. Consider that any deciduous tree OVER the pond will shed leaves into the pond in the Fall. Take that into consideration. Was your installer experienced enough to even ask you about these things? Perhaps a certified installer would be better, then.

Don't hesitate to share your 'Koi or Plant' objectives with the Installer
It has only been recently that installers have been encouraged to ask the owner if they want Koi, Plants, or both. Koi and Plants are NOT mutually exclusive, but it represents real foresight, and some extra engineering to make sure that the Koi and Plants are accomodated correctly in the Aquascape installation.

For example, if your intention is to rear Koi to adult sizes (Thirty inches), your installation should be upsized to larger filtration, a wider "deep spot", more depth, and more water. If all you want is plant life and some small fish of the Comet, Sarassa and Shubunkin class, snails and frogs, you can probably do well with a much more modest filtration-physical-plant.

NOTE: Your installer should be well versed on the differences between a Koi pond and a water garden. If you look intelligently at the requirements for both, you will see that Aquascape has the gear for both types of ponds, however it's been only recently that pressure has increased to exploit the "Koi" capabilities of the system. Failure to deploy these "Adult Koi" upgrades to the system will simply require that you do so later, as a retro fit, at considerably greater expense.

When you start talking about your Koi and their needs; if your installer says that his stuff cannot accomodate you, find another installer. Aquascape has much larger gear available for you to use for Koi installations (Grande), and all you have to do is dig a deeper hole, a wider deep spot, use dull rocks instead of sharp ones, and watch like an eagle when they put the gravel in the pond. It should NEVER be more than two inches thick. You should be able to step on the rocks on the pond's edge without them moving. I am including another article on making a Koi Installation based on my own observations of Koi in my Aquascape pond.

Seriously Consider Using a Certified Installer
Certified installers are your best choice if you want replicable, reliable results. I want you to understand that I know A LOT of folks who have been installing Aquascape ponds for years, and do a marvellous job. In fact, a year ago when one told me they were an Aquascape installer, I simply tuned them out. But they did beautiful work. Still, the time was not available for them to get certified, as they were very very busy. The problem is, while I know that Bob does a great installation, how are we to know that the Bob or Barbara in your town is a really "good" Aquascape installer? You just don't have that confidence unless you see their work and call their references. If they're not certified, then I highly recommend that you do that.

Check out a "Customary Price" at PondInstallers.com - It will give you an edge.
I've met some installers who seem to take a twisted pride in getting the highest ticket for an installation. Like it's some kind of game to find someone who is ignorant of what a pond should cost, and then gouging the heck out of them. I think it's reprehensible. But, capitalism - the American way. Just in case one of my friends asked me about the Aquascape pond, in order to protect them, I asked one of my certified installer friends to put together a guide to pond pricing. This way, you get some idea if you're being robbed or getting a great deal. Link to Pondinstallers.com Customary Pricing.