Aim for clean clear water features

Water features and the decisions you need to make early on in your water features project are discussed below. Paying attention to these points early on is important to get the most from your features ....

Water features is used as a general term meaning different things to different people. Consider any of the following to be water features for the purpose of this discussion.

1. Ponds above ground or below ground

2. Stream and waterfall features running into a pond or even "disappearing" into the ground for child safety reasons

3. Formal concrete or resin ornament features with circulating water. These are generally referred to as self contained water features

4. Informal or natural looking water features made from plastic, wood, stone or a whole host of other materials

5. Your plain simple homemade water features using planters, barrels and so

Important water features considerations irrespective of the water features type

• Place your water features where you can enjoy them to the fullest extent. Not much is to be gained by putting your water features at the bottom of the garden, out of sight.

• Choose water features that are easy to take home and especially easy to install. The easiest and most natural looking water features these days are made from fiberglass.

• Are your water features going to contain fish? ... if so then you will not get clean and clear water features without installing a biofilter to purify the fish waste as well as an ultra violet light to make sure your water features are always crystal clear. Do not try to skimp on these important items or you will regret it later.

• If you are going to have only aquatic plants in your water features then do not worry about a biofilter although you may decide to install an ultra violet light later. Water features with plants only are a lot easier to care for than water features with pond fish

• Almost all water features need a submersible pump. Choose your pump carefully in order to reduce the cost and to make sure the water features perform as you wanted.

• Waterfalls and similar water features need special attention when it comes to choosing pumps. These types of water features generally need a stronger pump than those features which just have a simple spray creating a fountain effect

• One of the most important considerations in choosing pumps for water features is how much power they will use because remember all water features that contain fish must have a biofilter and a biofilter must have a continuous supply of water which means the pump must run all day every day. Features that create spray are also an excellent way of adding oxygen to the water to also aid the biofilter. The cost of electricity will normally far exceed the purchase price of the features pump.