How long will it take to install my pond?
Depending on the size, most ponds are completed in less than a week.

How much does it cost to run the pump?
On average the cost to run the pump for most of my ponds (ADI 3000) 24 hours a day, seven days a week is $21.00 a month.

Can I put the pump on a timer or turn it off at night?
No. By putting the pond system on a timer or turning it off at night you will throw off the balance of the ecosystem. The beneficial bacteria will die down when the water is off and will have to start all over when the pumps come back on. (Plus, there is no better sound at night than your stream and falls flowing over the rocks).

How do I control algae so I have crystal clear water?
Mountain Ponds follows Mother Nature's recipe for clear water. We install ponds with a complete ecosystem: 1) Good circulation 2) Good filtration 3) Aquatic plants 4) Aquatic animals-fish 5) Rocks and gravel. Most of all, be patient!! A new pond takes between two and six weeks for the bacteria to colonize and actually begin to do their job.

Do I keep my streams and waterfalls running all year long?
If you live in the house all year long and don't mind looking for ice dams or low water levels, leave the system running. If you are not at your residence all winter, then place a small pump (150 gal) in the pond and shut down the streams and falls. I can come and check your pond for a small fee.

Do the fish survive wintertime, even in areas of freezing and snow?
Yes. As the water temperature of the pond drops, the fish will become dormant. Once the temperature drops below 55°F, stop feeding the fish. They will be fine all winter long.

Will the neighborhood raccoons get my fish?
Raccoons are not swimmers. By building the ponds correctly with a first shelf of 8 to 10 inches deep and by having fish tunnels or caves (all our ponds are built this way), the fish can easily hide and are completely inaccessible to the raccoons. If the raccoons become a problem with dirt or plant removal from the pond, a motion detector sprinkler will easily deter them.

I have bears that visit my yard every year. Will they destroy my pond and eat my fish?
I have bears that visit annually as well! We put an extra inch or two of gravel on all the flat spots-preventing damage to the pond liner. The fish caves and tunnels will hide the fish sufficiently. (If you do get a picture of a bear in your pond, I would love a copy of the picture!!!)

Do you do maintenance or help maintain our ponds?
Yes. Ponds are my passion! I want all my ponds to look their best at all times. Several affordable programs are available for you to keep your pond healthy and beautiful.

Are permits required?
No. Because of the small depth and the stepping we use on all of our ponds, they are not classified as swimming pools, but as landscaping, which requires no permits nor fences.

What about the freezing winters?
This is not a problem in our area--some of your pond may freeze solid, but where the water is moving, it will not freeze.