If you talk to us about building a backyard water feature, you’ll hear us use the term “Ecosystem Pond.” A lot.

Here’s what an Ecosystem Pond is: A man-made pond that mimics the natural processes that keep fish happy and water crystal-clear.

Each element of an Ecosystem Pond has a crucial role to play in making your pond a pleasant place to hang out. Fish eat mosquitos, bacteria eat gases that fish waste creates and plants eat the waste that the bacteria produce. When all of these pieces work together, you have a beautiful pond that requires very little maintenance.

Let’s take a quick look at everything that makes an Ecosystem Pond work:

Plant Shelves and Fish Caves

The Splash Ecosystem Pond is designed to look naturally beautiful. Just like you find in nature, we incorporate plant shelves and pockets at the perfect water depth, as well as fish caves to help keep your finny friends safe. Enjoy peace of mind knowing that the stepped-shelf design lets your family and pets safely enter and exit the pond.

Physical Filter

A physical skimming-type filter will remove 80 to 90 percent of the debris that enters your pond. The skimmer pulls leaves, twigs, pollen and fish waste into a basket you can easily empty without diving to the bottom. Your pump, the heart of the pond’s recirculation system, is housed out-of-sight in the skimmer.

Rocks and Gravel

The rock and gravel covering the fish-safe pond liner is an essential element to a healthy and beautiful water feature. In the Splash Ecosystem Pond, beneficial bacteria colonize on the surface of the rock and gravel and break down the waste remaining after the skimmer has done its work. Accumulation of debris is very minimal when compared to older-style ponds without skimmers or gravel.

Biofiltration

Biofiltration is the word we use to describe the natural process that keeps your water crystal clear and your fish happy and healthy. In the Splash Ecosystem Pond, the water flows up through your biofilter and then back into the pond over the rocks. Beneficial bacteria and enzymes convert ammonia to nitrites and then nitrates (nitrification) in the biofilter and throughout the pond. Nitrates keep your plants lush and full of life. Our biofilters are efficient and require very little maintenance. The waterfall adds a vital dose of oxygen back into the water.

Pond Life

Pond plants and fish are a vital part of a happy, healthy pond. Lush pond plants reduce string algae by removing the nutrients that algae need to survive. Fish, frogs and dragonflies provide natural and effective control for nuisance insects. Keeping the right amount of fish in your pond, and feeding them properly, will keep your ecosystem balanced and your pond low-maintenance. Your fish will become the jewel of your water feature.