What Effects The Cost Of a Pond?

Base Price For An Ecosystem Pond by Continental Ponds

Interaction Areas

Interaction Area ​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. ​ 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.

Interaction Area

Stone Selection

Accent Moss Boulders 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.

Accent Moss Boulders

Driftwood Accents

​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.

Driftwood Waterfalls

Fish Caves

Fish Cave

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.

​Seed The Pond With Bacteria

What Happens to Frogs and Toads during Oklahoma Winters?

What is the difference between a Toad and Frog? ​

​What happens to Frogs and Toads during Oklahoma Winters?

​Will Frogs freeze in my Oklahoma Pond?

​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.

​​How Long Will EPDM Rubber Fish & Koi Pond Liners Last? When you buy these pond liners from a reputable brand, they can last for decades. These liners are exceptionally durable and simple to install. Additionally, they have been designed in such a way where they can handle very high temperatures. Many are designed with materials that are resistant to ultra violet light. They also tend to be thick, which means that they will be capable of holding water for many years to come.

​How Do EPDM Rubber Pond Liners Work?

EPDM stands for Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer. It is a type of rubber which is synthetic, and exceptionally flexible. Many Oklahoma pond owners have become fond of it because it is easy to handle yet lasts a long time and is safe to use with water. EPDM pond liners differ from regular pond liners in that they can be shaped in any manner desired. This means they can fit into ponds of all shapes and sizes. They will not harm fish, plants or other aquatic species. Furthermore, these types of pond liners are resistant to certain types of attacks from string algae and microbes and after installation are largely maintenance free. These liners are available in different sizes, and those who want something specific can simply choose the desired measurement when making their order.

​What You Should Look For When Purchasing An EPDM Pond Liner? 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.

​For daily pond tips Monday thru Friday like and share our facebook page. To receive our monthly newsletter click here. Remember we are always just a click away from solving all your Oklahoma pond problems!   Continental Ponds is offering this pond information as a personal information source to our website visitors. Pond services are performed in Oklahoma City, Norman, Moore, Nichols Hills, Edmond, Yukon, Shawnee, Newcastle, Mustang, Bethany, Piedmont, Guthrie, Jones, Chandler, Midwest City, Del City, Shawnee, Tuttle, Blanchard, Bridge Creek , Warr Acres, Woodlawn Park, Lawton. Fish and Koi Pond Maintenance and Construction, Streams and Waterfalls, and Fountains are all in our wheelhouse of talent. Explore our website for more ideas. Like our Facebook page for daily tips and inspiration.

Red Eared Slider

Smooth Softshell Turtle

Stinkpot Turtle

​Climate And Plants

​Turtle Necessities

​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.

How Turtles Interact With Koi Fish 

​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.

​How To Contain Turtles In Oklahoma Backyard Ponds & Water Features

​What Causes Tea Colored Water

Activated Carbon

​The Cure for Tea Colored Water

Fixing the tea coloration in your Oklahoma pond/water feature water requires two basic steps: get rid of the source that’s putting it in the water, and taking it out of the water itself. The first step is generally pretty straightforward, if not always easy. You need to get excess plant material out of the water. Leaves and sticks on the surface or around the edges of the water are part of this, so skim away. If you have enough tannin-producing debris in your pond to be causing real problems, though, than your source is probably on the bottom of your pond. You need to manually remove vegetation debris (leaves, sticks, and especially acorns) from the bottom of your pond. You’ll probably want to deal with your sludge layer as best you can, as this is where most of that debris will eventually end up, and it’s a major source of tannins. As long as the source is in there, your water will keep coming up orange, no matter how you treat the water. Once you’ve got the source of the tannins dealt with, getting rid of the tannins that are in your water is much easier. A partial water change will help, and bacteria and algae in your pond will break down the tannins over time, but the quickest and easiest way to get rid of the tannins is to add activated carbon to your pond. This will bind with the tannins (and a lot of other unwanted vegetable by-products) and take them right out of the water.

Automatic Dosing System

Attracting Frogs To Your Oklahoma Pond

​How Frogs Behave In Oklahoma Ponds

Pond Design Tips For Attracting Frogs

​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.

​Why Frogs Are Beneficial To Ponds

​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.

​Problems To Watch For

Frogs Causing Pump Issues In Skimmers!

Why Do Frogs Hang Out In Skimmers? Frogs will often hang out inside the skimmer box because it offers a pocket of warm air compared to the outside temperature, and frogs like that. It is not unusual to open a skimmer lid and see 2-3 frogs perched along the net supports this time of year. Frogs will swim into the bottom of a skimmer to be closer to the source of the warmth…the pump, and tend to get their leg jammed in the pump’s intake. Do yourself a favor and take a minute to check for frogs in your skimmer during this time a year.

Skimmer Full of Frogs

​Healthy pond plants love fertilizer!

​Healthy pond plants and Insects in the Oklahoma Landscape

Too Much Sun Can Burn Your Pond/Aquatic Plants