Winter Algae in your pond.

Algae are tough. There are thousands of species of algae and many can thrive with a handful of nutrients and a small amount of light, even in the freezing temperatures of your pond.

The key ingredients for algae to grow are food and light.

Food comes from decomposing organics in the pond which produce phosphorous and nitrogen that the algae feed on. In warmer times, natural bacteria break down these nutrients thus cutting the food supply for the algae. In the cooler months of winter, the same bacteria go dormant and the algae can often thrive. Winter bacteria additives can be one method of regulating this winter bloom.

Koi Pond Design-Build Project

This winter we have been busy designing a new koi pond for a client in Bucks County, PA. Not only are we designing the pond in-house, but we are also teaming up with our landscape division, Stillwater Landscape Associates. With the help of Stillwater we have been able incorporate planting schemes in and around the pond. We are excited for Spring to come and start building another new pond for our clients and their fish!

Natural Swimming Pools, (NSP)

PondWorks is officially offering NSP design, construction and installation services.

There are many possibilities with Natural Swimming Pools to enjoy an environmentally friendly and chemical free pool. PondWorks has 20 years of experience in aquatic design, construction and maintenance of ponds, pools, fountains and other water systems. We have been fortunate enough to build several successful Chemical free swimming pools and are now officially marketing NSP’s to new perspective clients.

Philadelphia Zoo Duck Pond

PondWorks has been awarded the contract to build the duck pond and stream exhibit at the Philadelphia Zoo’s new KidZoo U: Hamilton Family Children’s Zoo & Faris Family Education Center.

Scheduled to open in the Spring of 2013 the project will include indoor and outdoor interactive exhibits geared towards young visitors. The project is being managed by W.S. Cumby Construction Managers. The new interactive children’s center will transform both indoor and outdoor space and will be the first LEED certified zoo building in Pennsylvania. The duck pond exhibit will incorporate an upper pond, stream, waterfalls and lower pond into the larger outdoor landscape designed by Viridian Landscape Studio. The outdoor setting will set a new standard in storm water management and sustainability for the zoo. The duck habitat will be one part of the outdoor design that includes rainwater collection, wetland and native plantings and a natural landscape that references Southeastern Pennsylvania.

Lancaster Cancer Center Fountains

PondWorks was contracted to construct two fountains for the Lancaster Cancer Center, Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute. Designed by Ballinger Architects, with Jonathan Alderson Landscape architects and Benchmark Construction Co. Inc. as the Construction Manager the $44million facility is scheduled to open in the summer of 2013. PondWorks worked with Jonathan Alderson Landscape Architects to detail the reflecting pools for locations at the main entrance and within a courtyard healing garden.

These concrete and stainless steel reflecting pools will operate chemical free by using UV sterilization and ionizers to purify the water. The pools will be integrated into the rainwater collection system and help slow and distribute water into the environment.

Designing for Ducks

PondWorks is part of the design team for Viridian Landscape Studio, along with SMP Architects and Philadelphia Zoo staff to develop a new duck pond habitat for the Philadelphia Zoo. This Duck Pond and naturalized stream is part of the new Hamilton Family Children’s Zoo and KidZoo U, a redevelopment of the historic Pachyderm House. The new interactive children’s center will transform both indoor and outdoor space and will be the first LEED certified zoo building in Pennsylvania.

PondWorks has been tasked with helping to bring the pond and water feature concept into reality. Design and planning of the ponds, filtration systems, rock work, water proofingand aquatic plantings will be considered to help transform what is now the old Pachyderm paddocks. The outdoor setting will set a new standard in storm water management and sustainability for the zoo. The duck habitat will be one part of the outdoor design that includes rainwater collection, wetland and native plantings and a natural landscape that references Southeastern Pennsylvania.

An all natural swimming pool

PondWorks consulted on this natural pool project and is now providing maintenance services. As the concept is not new but it is beginning to catch on. The idea of biological filtration, constructed wetlands and balanced eco-systems is commonplace in the water garden industry and many eco minded pool owners are jumping in. PondWorks has other natural pool projects on the boards.

Oh what a beautiful pond

On June 16 customers from all over the county arrived at Pennview Christian academy for a day of building and information. PondWorks again teamed up with Fins Feather Paws & Claws who organized this pond day. The pond construction began at 9:00 and 8 hours later was completed.
Brian and his staff from Pond Works guided all the attendees through every step of pond construction from digging the hole to installing the proper equipment. Build A Pond participants said the hands on experience helped to build confidence to go home and build a pond of their own.
Stephen Schrag Director of Advancement was overwhelmed by this extraordinary gift that was given to the elementary school and can’t wait for the beginning of the school season to have some outside environmental classes with the students!

Pennock Walk Project

PondWorks was involved in a restoration project at the University of Pennsylvania’s Morris Arboretum www.morrisarboretum.org that took place in late 2006. The Pennock Walk Project included two fountains that needed to be restored to their original functions. The first project was a long copper lined fountain that contained 15 fountain jets. A new copper liner and a new filtration system were installed. In addition to installing completely new infrastructure for the circulation and filtration of both fountains PondWorks also added fiber optic lighting to the jets to illuminate them at night. The second project was an historic marble fountain that had been reconstructed. A copper spray ring consisting of 6 jets was installed into the fountain. After 2 months of work, the fountains were ready to be turned on. We were extremely happy with the way this project went and the smiles it brought to the avid gardeners and visitors.

Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa

PondWorks traveled to Atlantic City to waterproof an indoor fountain at the Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa. Although the temptation of gambling was there, PondWorks remained focused on the project at hand. The fountain is located within an indoor garden which has a glass bridge crossing the center. After the routine plumbing work was done, PondWorks began prepping the fountain to be waterproofed. This consisted of sanding, masking, acid washing, and adding a bonding agent. After the Super Sealer bonding agent had cured, the Vortex spray on polyurea liner was installed. A Granitex top coat was then applied to achieve the desired effect.

Vortex Spray on Liner

PondWorks just took delivery and completed training for their new portable spray rig to apply polyurea spray on liner, by Vortex. This liner is extremely durable and can be used in a near limitless range of applications, including garage floors, decks, piers, boats, ponds, fountains, basements, trailers and truck beds, just to name a few. We are excited about the product and how it will help us to provide quality spray on lining for our customers.

Indian Valley YMCA

PondWorks teamed up with Fins, Feathers, Paws & Claws in Harleysville Pennsylvania to demonstrate the pond construction process. Over 30 pond enthusiasts and landscapers signed up and participated in the event that took place at the Harleysville YMCA. Participants were given the opportunity to ask questions and to assist in the many different stages of the pond construction. The pond construction began with the excavation of the site and progressed through the liner and filtration installations and ended with the planting of aquatic plants and landscaping around the outside of the pond. Children from the YMCA put the final touch on the pond by adding fish. It was a fun and exciting day for everyone!

Certified Professional Pond Contractor

Brian Buchholtz of PondWorks is recognized as a Certified Professional Pond Contractor by the International Professional Pond Contractors Association. The IPPCA is the Not-for-profit Pond and Waterscape Industry's Official Trade Association who’s goal is to ensure that a high level of quality standards are met within the Pond and Waterscape industry. All of the contractors listed on this site have either met or exceeded these standards.

Learn more at www.ippca.com