The internet, your neighbors and your cousin have all kinds of advice on how to build your own pond without spending tons of money. They recommend materials like skimmers made out of rubber trashcans and underlayment made out of old carpet scraps.
You know better – or at least you do now.
Buying a DIY kit with high-quality materials built specifically for ponds is an easy way to increase your pond’s lifespan and reduce the cost of repairs in the long run. At Splash Supply Company, we have DIY Pond Kits that include most of the essentials you need to get started.
More importantly, we throw in some perks Amazon can’t: customization, free delivery and expert advice.
Supplies You’ll Need
Here’s what comes standard in most pond kits:
- Pond Skimmer
- Biofilter
- Fish-Safe EPDM Pond Liner
- Underlayment
- Pond Pump
- Flexible PVC Pipe
- Pump
- Check Valve
- Welcome Kit
- Pondand Waterfall Foam Sealant
- PVC Cement and Silicone Sealant
- All Necessary Fittings
- Automatic Dosing System with Water Treatment
Here are some other things you’ll need:
- Rocks and Gravel
- Fish
- Plants
- Lights
Pricing
DIY Pond Kits start at around $1,132 for an 8-by-11-foot pond, with costs increasing from there depending on the size of your space. By the time you add in a few underwater lights, some pond plants and a few fish, you could expect to budget between $1,500 and $2,000 for a nice entry-level pond (about 100 to 200 square feet).
The best way to price out your project is to come into our store and check out our backyard display garden – which, by the way, is the biggest in the region. There, you can get a sense for how big of a pond is right for you. You can also pick up a copy of our 2019 Idea & Price Guide, which includes information about our services, your pond’s ecosystem and DIY classes.
Splash Supply Company is located at 1298 Toronita St., York, PA. Enjoy easy access from I-83 Exit 21 at the Route 30 interchange, near Round the Clock Diner, Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen and the new TRU Hotel.
Free Delivery, Expert Advice
So, there you are, stranded in your yard with a box, a shovel and a creeping feeling that all those dreams of backyard bliss may have led you to take on more than you can chew? Not quite.
When you buy your kit from Splash Supply Company, we’ll talk about your exact hopes and expectations for your backyard oasis. We’ll likely swap out pieces from the kit (i.e. if you need a different-sized liner) and go through the instruction manual step-by-step, crossing out and changing instructions as necessary. If you find yourself stuck during the build process or have a question, we’re always just a phone call or visit away.
We also have a full line-up of free pond classes where you can start building up your pond knowledge (there’s even free donuts!), as well as a comprehensive online library of informational articles.
Once you have your kit perfected, we’ll deliver that big box right to your house, free of charge.
You won’t get that kind of service from Amazon.
Visit us at 1298 Toronita St. in York to get started.
Ecosystem Ponds: A Quick Overview
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.
