There's a lot of information out there on the internet but you've ended up here. That's great! Unless you're from a different zone than we are here in Pennsylvania. The pond industry is all weather dependent so I'd like to start by reminding you that you should always get your pond information from local contractors, as they experience the same weather conditions (and planting parameters) as you do. Make sure you know what geological area your source is writing for! In other words, Florida doesn't get snow the way that Pennsylvania do, right?
Pond Installation
The chances are pretty high that you are installing a backyard pond so that you can house a lot of really awesome koi or goldfish as pets and you obviously don't want to have to replace them year after year. While some people choose to bring their fish inside for the winter, the bigger they get and the more they multiply the harder it is to do something of that nature successfully.
Freeze Zone
One of the most important reasons that people talk about the DEPTH of a pond is because of safely overwintering the fish and because of water clarity issues if you make the pond too deep. The freeze zone is 18" and as you can imagine, we do get enough snow and freezing temperatures in Pennsylvania that ponds here do tend to freeze. For this reason, we always recommend to dig your pond at least two feet (2' or 24") deep so that the fish can live safely underneath that freezing area, keeping in mind there are still "life support" items needed to sustain fish life under ice.
Another reason depth is talked about is when it comes to proper filtration of the pond. When using an Aquascape Pond Skimmer, it will successfully skim the top layer of the pond but anything deeper than 2.5-3 feet will need to be stirred up in order to be able to pull that water into the skimmer box for filtration. Without stirring up that deep area, water quality issues are inevitable.
Another reason depth is talked about is when it comes to proper filtration of the pond. When using an Aquascape Pond Skimmer, it will successfully skim the top layer of the pond but anything deeper than 2.5-3 feet will need to be stirred up in order to be able to pull that water into the skimmer box for filtration. Without stirring up that deep area, water quality issues are inevitable.
Aquatic Plants and Plant Shelves
While talking about how deep you'll need to dig a pond in Pennsylvania, you need to consider the need for aquatic plants---because it absolutely is a need. There are many benefits from having aquatic plants in your backyard pond in Central Pennsylvania. From providing shade to naturally filtering the water, aquatic plants all have a very specific depth that they like to be planted in in order to survive. For this reason, while we recommend digging the pond to 2 feet deep for overwintering the fish, we also always recommend digging plant SHELVES around the outside of the pond so as to not drown the plants.
Your "marginal shelf" should be dug between 0"-8" deep and your "mid-zone lilies shelf" should be dug at 12"16" before your pond drops to the 24" depth for overwintering purposes.
Click here for more Aquatic Plant Care and Benefits.
So Now What???
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 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
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
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