Backyard pond/waterfall renovation makes up about 60 percent of our yearly projects. Whether it's the want to bring "new life" to an aged waterfeature, the want to make a waterfeature larger to house more fishy friends or the want to fix what seems to be a non-repairable leak, waterfeature renovations are always exciting.

This backyard pond owner in Leola, Pennsylvania knew a facelift would bring new life to their yard, as well as, fix a problematic mystery leak. Having constantly fought a leaking issue, the enjoyment of fish has been put off so as to not compromise their safety and health. WHAT?! No! Fish are the best part!

Because we weren't making this waterfeature larger, we stayed within the same footprint of the existing pond which is 11'x20'x2' feet deep and included a 8' stream. We were also able to re-utilize their Aquascape Filtration System, which promotes crystal clear water through mechanical and biological filtration components.

What is an Aquascape Filtration System comprised of? Follow this link to read more information on all the different pond filtration options available through  Aquascape, Inc!!! Dreamscapes installs and swears by this brand of pond products for the ease, efficiency and longevity.

It's been over a month since this project has been completed and the water level has stayed the same--great news! So what about those mystery leaks? Having pulled out all the rocks in the existing feature to do this watergarden renovation, we not only found chew holes in the waterfall from a critter, but we found quite a few holes in the pond portion hidden behind large rocks that needed equipment in order to move. What a mess!

Fortunately, the water level is holding and the homeowner is hap, hap, HAPPY to have a working pond again and WE'RE happy to have finally solved the mystery leak for them!

Located in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, Dreamscapes Watergardens installs and renovates koi fish ponds and pondless waterfalls (disappearing waterfalls) all over the Central Pennsylvania area. For more information on koi ponds and waterfeature installations, please contact us directly!

Dreamscapes also carries a full line of pond supplies from water treatments and fish medications to pond pumps, heaters, fountains, plants and fish! Tadpoles and snails are also available at our Aquatic Retail Center in Lebanon, Pennsylvania seasonally while supplies last from May-August.  If you think you need it, we have it!

Retail Hours:  April 5th-October 27th 2018:
                           Monday-Wednesday: By Appt
                           Thursday-Friday: 10am-5pm
                           Saturday: 9am-12pm
                     October 28th-April 2019: HOURS BY APPT


Contact Us
2155 State Route 343, Lebanon Pa | 717-272-6555 | info@dreamscapeswatergardens.com
Dreamscapes Watergardens services the city of Lebanon, Lancaster, Harrisburg, Mechanicsburg, Camp Hill, Cleona, Cornwall, Fredericksburg, Indiantown Gap, Jonestown, Kleinfeltersville, Mount Gretna, Myerstown, Newmanstown Palmyra, Quentin, Reistville, Richland, Schaefferstown of Pennsylvania, PA

Even if the water looks clear, regularly testing your pond water is something we all should be doing.  How "regular" depends on the condition of the pond—if you have a heavy fish load or lack a filtration system, you may want to test more often. At Dreamscapes, we prefer to test our outdoor display ponds monthly but the indoor retail tanks every other day during the season. If you notice something out of normal, such as the fish acting different or getting sick, we recommend testing it weekly.  Similarly, when the bacteria colonies are just waking up in the spring and you start feeding fish, we recommend testing the pond often for ammonia and nitrites.

Ammonia –  Ultimately, we want to aim for ZERO ammonia because ammonia is INCREDIBLY toxic to fish.  In a properly cycled and balanced pond, this is not hard to do.  In an overstocked pond, or an under-filtered one, you can easily see elevated ammonia levels.  This is caused by the waste produced by the fish (and other critters like birds and frogs), as well as, leaves decomposing in the water.

pH- Most pond owners look for a pH of about 7.0 – 8.0 but here at Dreamscapes Watergardens, we tend to run at around a 9.0.  Koi generally like a higher pH. The most important thing to note is that while 7.5 and 9.0 are both healthy, a swing in pH can most certainly shock and harm a fish. Thus it is important to acclimate fish properly no matter where you buy them or adopt them from.

Nitrite – Less toxic than ammonia, but still very toxic, we want our nitrite levels to be ZERO.  Nitrite is the second stage of the nitrogen cycle and is the result of ammonia being broken down. In the spring, nitrite poisoning can be common if the conversions are not working properly.

Temperature – Temperature can affect what levels of ammonia become toxic, as well as respiration and metabolism in your fish.  Koi typically can tolerate a broad range of temperatures, from iced over ponds to 90F and we find they typically do well in ponds that stay under 80F in the summer.  The warmer the water is, the more need there will be to oxygenate the water as well. The temperature of the pond is also important to know when it comes to feeding the appropriate food to your fish.

Hardness – Koi do better in hard water because of the relation of salt within their bodies to the dissolved salts in the pond.  Hard water allows koi to ease up on osmoregulation, and therefore reduce stress on your fish.  

Phosphate – Another fertilizer for algae in your pond, its not uncommon to see it introduced from private wells.  If algae is a problem, and all other things have been considered (water changes, feeding, filtration), we look at phosphates as a potential source for algae to grow from.

Copper – Generally only tested if you used a copper based medication or if you are currently using the Aquascape Ion Gen system.  Copper at excessive levels will inhibit plant growth and can damage the skin and gills on your fish. If you notice your fish acting funky or even dying while the other levels are fine, test for copper and check your Iongen. Your Iongen should ONLY BE TURNED ON if string algae is present. If string algae is not present (such as in the spring) unnecessary Copper is released into the water and not absorbed.

For the safety of your fish, Dreamscapes performs FREE WATER TESTS during regular business hours for customers. Located in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, Dreamscapes Watergardens installs koi fish ponds and pondless waterfalls (disappearing waterfalls) all over the Central Pennsylvania area. For more information on koi ponds, waterfalls, POOL WATERFALLS or fountain waterfeature installations, please contact us directly!

Dreamscapes also carries a full line of pond supplies from water treatments and fish medications to pond pumps, heaters, fountains, plants and fish! Tadpoles and snails are also available at our Aquatic Retail Center in Lebanon, Pennsylvania seasonally while supplies last from May-August.  If you think you need it, we have it!

Retail Hours:  April 5th-October 27th 2018:
                           Monday-Wednesday: By Appt
                           Thursday-Friday: 10am-5pm
                           Saturday: 9am-12pm
                     October 28th-April 2019: HOURS BY APPT


Contact Us
2155 State Route 343, Lebanon Pa | 717-272-6555 | info@dreamscapeswatergardens.com

Dreamscapes Watergardens services the city of Lebanon, Lancaster, Harrisburg, Mechanicsburg, Camp Hill, Cleona, Cornwall, Fredericksburg, Indiantown Gap, Jonestown, Kleinfeltersville, Mount Gretna, Myerstown, Newmanstown Palmyra, Quentin, Reistville, Richland, Schaefferstown of Pennsylvania, PA

We're going through some photos and found some really great ones from the Stone Ridge Poplar Run project of 2014. Located in Myerstown, Pennsylvania, this retirement living community envisioned an elaborate courtyard where residents could spend evenings talking to friends with relaxation at their fingertips complete with an outdoor kitchen, fire pits, beautiful flower pots and top notch landscaping.

What's outdoor relaxation without the tranquil sound created by moving water? Dreamscapes Watergardens was honored to bring this type of ultimate peace in the form of a watergarden to all those who enjoy it at Stone Ridge since opening spring of 2015.

Starting with a clean slate, the dirt covered courtyard was transformed because of the Aquascape Inc. components that include an incredible filtration system. It's amazing what you can do with some liner, underlayment, rocks and water if you have passion for the project.

Did you know that *most* aquatic plants in zones 5 and 6 like to sit somewhere within 0-6" of water?
The digging part of the project is one of the most intricate parts because of the ability to sustain aquatic plant life. Too deep and plants drown...too shallow and fish freeze solid during winter. Aquatic plants are your waterfeature's natural filterers, so it's important to pay close attention to this level! Dreamscapes digs in what we call "plant shelves" into the waterfeature in order to accommodate not only the ability to sustain aquatic plants but the ability to then have a deeper section in the center to safely over winter fish.

The creativity that is the rock-work serves multiple purposes:
--Rocks and gravel as filtration-- All the gravel in the pond serves as more and more and more places for beneficial bacteria to colonize.
--Predator Safety through Koi Caves-- Koi caves give fish to hide when necessary while not being obvious.
--Crashing Sound of Water in Falls-- The way the rocks are laid in the waterfall contribute to the way the water rushes over them which, in turn, affects the sound the water makes! The further the drop, the louder the sound.
--Natural Looking Feel--As if Mother Nature just happened to exist on it's own!

Boasting an impressive 35 foot by 25 foot wide pond and a massive 20 foot long stream with about 15 feet of elevation, this beautiful waterfeature creates tranquil noises like no other all day and night long. The watergarden at stone ridge also is supported by an Iongen System to minimize maintenance by helping with string algae control.

As the sun starts to set over the buildings at Stone Ridge Popular Run in Myerstown, PA...the Aquascape pond lights turn on and create a whole different atmosphere as the lights illuminate the beauty that is the waterfeature. With almost 2 dozen LED pond lights, the residents of Stone Ridge are able to have dinner served to them in the courtyard and still enjoy the waterfeature lit up when the sun starts to set.

So Now What???

Located in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, Dreamscapes Watergardens installs and renovates koi fish ponds and pondless waterfalls (disappearing waterfalls) all over the Central Pennsylvania area. For more information on koi ponds and waterfeature installations, please contact us directly!

Dreamscapes also carries a full line of pond supplies from water treatments and fish medications to pond pumps, heaters, fountains, plants and fish! Tadpoles and snails are also available at our Aquatic Retail Center in Lebanon, Pennsylvania seasonally while supplies last from May-August.  If you think you need it, we have it!



Retail Hours:  April 5th-October 27th 2018:
                           Monday-Wednesday: By Appt
                           Thursday-Friday: 10am-5pm
                           Saturday: 9am-12pm
                     October 28th-April 2019: HOURS BY APPT


Contact Us
2155 State Route 343, Lebanon Pa | 717-272-6555 | info@dreamscapeswatergardens.com

Dreamscapes Watergardens services the city of Lebanon, Lancaster, Harrisburg, Mechanicsburg, Camp Hill, Cleona, Cornwall, Fredericksburg, Indiantown Gap, Jonestown, Kleinfeltersville, Mount Gretna, Myerstown, Newmanstown Palmyra, Quentin, Reistville, Richland, Schaefferstown of Pennsylvania, PA

Question: Can I bring my water lettuce indoors for the winter and put them in my fish aquarium until Spring?

Answer: This is a "YES-BUT" answer.

YES, you can bring water lettuce indoors for the winter months BUT you have some things you need to consider… Water lettuce will need some pretty strong lighting to do well indoors and will need space surrounding it where it floats. It will not survive if you try to squeeze it under a tank lid or squeeze too many in at once. You would have to leave the top open and suspend your light above the tank. Given those conditions your water lettuce will probably do fairly well until Spring. If you have a working greenhouse that maintains temperatures over 70+F and great lighting, you could also keep your water lettuce in there in a shallow tub, or kiddie pool. As a reminder, water lettuce is a TROPICAL plant and enjoys alot of sun..it does NOT have a dormancy period like other aquatic plants.

Dreamscapes has a full service maintenance program that travels all over the Lebanon, Lancaster and Dauphin County areas constructing and installing pond tents. We also carry a full line of pond supplies from water treatments and fish medications to pond pumps, heaters, fountains, plants and fish! Tadpoles and snails are also available at our Aquatic Retail Center in Lebanon, Pennsylvania seasonally while supplies last from May-August.  If you think you need it, we have it!

Retail Hours:  April 5th-October 27th 2018:
                           Monday-Wednesday: By Appt
                           Thursday-Friday: 10am-5pm
                           Saturday: 9am-12pm
                     October 28th-April 2019: HOURS BY APPT


Contact Us
2155 State Route 343, Lebanon Pa | 717-272-6555 | info@dreamscapeswatergardens.com

Dreamscapes Watergardens services koi ponds and waterfalls in the city of Lebanon, Lancaster, Harrisburg, Mechanicsburg, Camp Hill, Cleona, Cornwall, Fredericksburg, Indiantown Gap, Jonestown, Kleinfeltersville, Mount Gretna, Myerstown, Newmanstown Palmyra, Quentin, Reistville, Richland, Schaefferstown of Pennsylvania, PA