Backyard Creations Ponds Waterfalls and Fish Ponds - Alpine Aquascapes - Katy Texas

To Gravel or Not to Gravel

There are several reasons we always "rock-in" ponds.

• Stones and gravel decrease maintenance
• Extend the life of the liner
• Stabilize the ponds walls
• Provide ballast against hydrostatic pressure
• Looks more natural than a naked liner

Fish waste, dead plant material and wind-blown debris combine and decompose to form a smelly sludge that builds up to a few inches over the course of a year. In a naked liner or concrete pond, these materials rot and cause gases that are harmful to the ecology. A pond with a gravel base will have substantially less sludge at the end of the season compared to a bare liner base. Adding gravel over the entire pond bottom allows sludge and waste eating bacteria to colonize and break down these excess nutrients (just like a fish tank).

Completely "rocking-in" the pond floor extends the life of the pond by protecting the liner from harmful UV ligh (sunlight), which will degrad the liner over time. A liner that is covered with stone and gravel is not exposed to UV light, greatly increasing the life span of the liner.

A "rocked-in" pond will anchor the liner in place and create structurally sound walls. Think of it as a boulder retaining wall inside the pond. The weight of the stone will also provide a considerable amount of ballast against hydrostatic pressure. Hydrostatic pressure is the pressure created beneath the pond's liner from water build-up. Hydrostatic pressure can be so strong that it will cause unsightly bubbles in the liner.

See the Difference

Look at a Pond with gravel and look at a pond without gravel-

Components - Pondless Waterfalls

This alternative use for Aquascape Designs Snorkel™ Vault and Centipede™ Module allows for the creation of a waterfall and stream without a pond. Instead, a basin is excavated, lined with an EPDM liner and filled with layers of stone. Once the basin is filled with water, the water flows through the Centipede™ Module and is circulated by a pump that sits at the bottom of the Snorkel™ Vault. A notch at the top of the Snorkel™ Vault accommodates the flexible pvc pipe that carries the water up to a BIOFALLS® filter. The BIOFALLS® filter then returns the water to the reservoir via a waterfall. Since the water level remains below the rock and gravel fill, it gives the appearance of a "pondless" waterfall and stream yet provides plenty of water to run the waterfall!

System Attributes

Great for customers who don't want a pond... just a waterfall and stream.
Perfect for public settings where child safety or the liabilities of a pond may be a concern.
Virtually maintenance free! Simply refill the reservoir every few weeks or add a water fill valve in the Snorkel™ Vault to compensate for water loss due to evaporation.
Great alternative for a front yard pond.
No ecological need to run the system continuously

System Features

Create up to a 6' waterfall and stream with the pondless waterfall kit or customize a kit for a larger feature.
Utilize the Snorkel™ Vault and Centipede™ Module technology to house the pump and circulate the water.
The waterfall simply disappears into a 4' x 6' gravel bed planted with aquatic marginal plants.
150 gallons of water in 4' x 6' basin and 75 gallons of water in BIOFALLS® filter and waterfall.

Aquascape 4' x 6' Pondless Waterfall Kit

Mini BIOFALLS® Filter
Snorkel™ Vault & Cap
3' Centipede™ Module s/cap
Aquascape 3000 Pump
2" Extended Dual Union Check Valve
25' Roll of 2" Flex Pipe
8' x 10' Stream Liner
10' x 12' Basin Liner
120 sq. ft. Underlayment