DIY Network

Outdoor Waterfall: Finishing Up From "Rock Solid" episode DROC-106

The water feature is taking shape. The end result is an aquatic paradise that looks like it’s always been there.

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	Arizona homeowners decide to turn their desert backyard...
	into a beautiful landscape with a rock waterfall...
	flowing into a lovely pond.
	Figure A

Materials

Shovel
Pick axe
Wheelbarrow
Water hose
Line spray paint
Hand tamper
Large wrench
2 ft. level
Knife or pipe cutter
Assorted stones (inert stones, stones that do not leach minerals in water)
Skimmer filter (and associated parts)
Biofalls filter (and associate parts)
Flexible PVC pipe
Underlayment
Liner (fish safe and with a long warranty)
Sump pump
Waterfall foam/expanding foam
Bacteria
Aquatic plants
Fish

Note: All components except the stone are included in an Aquascape Pond Kit.

Final Touches

1. Once you’ve placed all of the stone, seal the different waterfalls using waterfall foam (figure A). The foam not only seals the spaces between rocks, but also acts as an adhesive. While it is still pliable, you can place smaller stones in and on top of the foam to hide it. The use of waterfall foam ensures that the water goes where you want it to go.

2. Finish filling in the stream bed with gravel, and then rinse the stone (figure B). Pump out the dirty water using a sump pump. If you have not filled your pond yet, fill your pond.

3. Once your pond has been filled, you can plant aquatic plants (figure C) and release fish into the pond. Plants and fish help maintain the ecological balance of the pond and keep it clear.

Figure B

Figure C

4. With all of the filters hooked up, pond filled and liners connected, you can start the stream. Make any necessary adjustments, and then finish up by trimming the liner (figure D). To finish the edge of the liner, build a small trench a few inches beyond the edge of the pond, trim the liner to fit into the trench, bury the edge and seal it with rock (figure E).

5. Aquascape recommends adding Aqua Clearer Bacteria to maintain the pond’s health by adding it to the bacterial cookies on the filters and stones.

6. It’s time to enjoy the sights and sounds of your pond (figure F)!

Figure D

Figure E

Figure F

RESOURCES :

Waterfall kit (Aquascape Designs)
Includes all components for the project except for rocks, fish, plants, and tools.
Website: www.aquascapedesigns.com

GUESTS :

Ed Beaulieu, Vice President of Construction
Aquascape Designs, Inc.

Paul Holdeman, Pond Builder
The Pond Gnome
22767 N. 104th Lane
Peoria, AZ 85383
Phone: 1-623-572-5607
Fax: 1-623-572-0483
pondgnome@cox.net
www.pondgnome.com