​My first secondary concern is my fish.  Unless you have a generator there is not much you can do except possibly purchase or have on hand a battery/solar powered aerator.   These can be found on the internet, they are small, but something is better than nothing.  If you don't have a generator, I would highly suggest investing in one.  The prices for these range from $10-$100.  Have it on hand and should we lose power for an extended period of time you now have a back up to get that water oxygenated, especially during the summer months.   

If you have a generator, you have it a bit easier!  This is the time you really should have an aerator.   Aerators are highly efficient means of aerating and deicing ponds, and we feel a must have if you have a pond.   

If it happens to be winter time, just make sure your deicer is unplugged should have one.  Plug the aerator into that generator and you're all set.  Aerators use very little electricity and will do the job in protecting your fish and providing oxygen and deicing during the winter months.  

​The is place in the water feature that you walk up and interact with the feature. An interaction area can be a large flat stone where you and your family sit and put your feet in the water or feed the fish. A flagstone area for seating and a firepit or a set of stone steps to access the feature more easily.
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There are a lot of ways for us to build a spot for you to interact with your pond. The more elaborately you build, the more that will affect the cost of the pond. 

If you like Moss Rock you're in luck as it is the most cost-effective stone used on our Oklahoma water features. Of course, the size of the stone affects the cost as it is purchased by weight. The larger the stone, the more involved the process is to maneuver and position that stone.

​Another thing to keep in mind is the access to the pond location. Can we get equipment in the gate/fence to the location in which the pond is being built, or do we have to hand carry the rocks in?  These are just a few things that are going to affect the cost.

​When adding driftwood to the feature cedar, cypress, and juniper are species of wood that will last a long time. How are you using the driftwood? Is it going to be small accents that sit on the edge of the pond or is this a huge piece of wood that is a major component of the pond? The addition of a large stump of driftwood can take half a day to maneuver and manipulate the driftwood into its final position with heavy machinery. The goal is to make the stump look like has been there a hundred years and grew out of the side of the bank. What we do artistically with the driftwood comes with a whole different price tag than a simple piece of driftwood on the side of your pond. 

A filter is a necessity for Oklahoma ponds and water gardens, but owners aren’t supposed to clean them regularly, and yet they are susceptible to becoming plugged. How can a plugged Oklahoma pond filter be prevented?

The filter contains a large amount of bacteria which is beneficial and dissolves the toxins which are present in the water. It also houses debris and slime which over time will clog the filtration unit. While you definitely want to remove the slime, the beneficial bacteria are important and should be preserved. Here are some ways to preserve them while unplugging the filter.

​Monitor the skimmer filter regularly and clean it out when needed. This filter component is not designed to eliminate miniscule particulates which means you can use filter media which is low density so that excessive debris is kept away from the pump. When the media is too dense plugging will occur which will restrict the flow.

​The densities of the filter media should be altered and stacked so the water will flow from low to high densities. When they are mixed you will have sufficient surface area for bacteria to grow with stronger water flow and less plugging.

​Sludge is not your friend and the last thing you want is it building up in the pond. A pond vacuum is a great tool for sucking up debris and it can then be broken down and removed which will improve the quality of the water while reducing the filter’s workload.

​When the debris baskets of your skimmer filter become full of leaves and other things, you will need to remove them. Once they become full, the water will be forced to flow around them which will result in larger objects being carried along that could lead to filtration plugging.

​You should know the plant to fish ratio of the pond. A larger quantity of fish means greater waste and an increased chance of the filter becoming clogged. More plants means greater filtration for the water. You don’t want to overwork the filter by keeping a pond that is imbalanced; so be sure to let the plants do what nature designed them to and keep your fish at reasonable quantities.

​Underneath the beautiful foliage and active aquatic life of your Oklahoma fish or koi pond lies the product that keeps it functioning effectively, the EPDM fish safe pond liner. EPDM pond liners provide a number of benefits over standard models. Aside from being pre-cut and designed for ease of transport, they can also be used in the construction or renovation of a variety of Oklahoma ponds and water gardens.

You should look for pond liners which are capable of handling temperatures extending from -40 Fahrenheit to 175 degrees Fahrenheit. They should have resistance to UV light, and should also be certified as being safe for both plants and fish. Getting an EPDM liner with an extra layer for underlayment is a plus, as it will stabilize the soil while blocking air voids from being created among the soil and liner. The liner you buy should also be resistant to punctures yet light in weight, which will allow it to be carried and transported with ease. Depending on the texture that the liner has, it might also be capable of reducing the growth of algae while simultaneously promoting the growth of healthy bacteria.

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​Turtles require a specific pond depth, which varies based on the species. All turtles should be given access to water that has a big surface area, as this exposes them to greater oxygen levels. Red ear slider turtles prefer deep water, while others like their water to be shallow. This is why it is essential to know the preferences of the species you intend to buy.

Ideally, the Oklahoma turtle pond should have different water levels with ledges. This would include an area which is shallow where the turtle could rest with its head sticking out of the water, logs work great for this, and a deeper spot where they can be submerge.

Since turtles have sharp claws, you will want to get a pond liner that is stronger than usual, preferably one that has additional padding or even a preformed. Turtles also need an area where they can bask, and since they like to walk on land from time to time, including a “beach” for them is highly recommended.

​Fish such as koi are widely popular for backyard ponds. However, those who intend to add turtles to the same environment must exercise caution. The reason for this is because despite the slow, lethargic appearance of turtles, they are in fact outstanding hunters. They will not be intimidated by the size of koi or catfish, and might even try to nibble on them.

While most turtles will be unable to take down a large fish, the injuries they inflict could lead to infection. Smaller fish such as goldfish or guppies could be eaten entirely. Furthermore, adding turtles and fish to the same pond requires lots of space and greater attention to water cleanliness than usual. We usually do not put turtles and fish in the same pond for this reason.

​The edges of your pond should be shallow as this makes it easy for the frogs to get in or out of the water. Some of the edges should taper off towards vegetation which is moist, such as leaves or mulch. This will provide the frogs will shelter, hibernation and food. Frogs need shade to protect them from the sun, but too much shade will harm the pond as it needs some sunlight. Therefore a portion of the pond should have constant exposure to sunlight while other parts should be in shade at all times.

One natural way to provide shade is through aquatic plants such as marsh marigolds or water violets. These plants grow well in ponds, and frogs are most attracted to bodies of water which have depth of two to three feet.

​Frogs play an important ecological role in the ponds where they reside. They prey on insects, and this is important as it keeps the insects from increasing in number to the point where they become destructive. Frogs also consume mosquitoes, flies, snails, beetles and even cockroaches, as well as various plants and shrubs. Frogs also love compost heaps and adding this to your pond is one of the best ways to attract them. Frogs enjoy any place that is moist and humid with lots of insects to dine on.