Water X Scapes Blog

Pond Supplies for Building Water Gardens

Knowing what the job entails before you start is half the battle. Of course, Hoffman’s Water X Scapes is your one stop pond shop. We have all the pond supplies and knowledge you will need to help you become a successful water gardener from the...

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Pond Start Up - First Steps

A Pond Start Up can seem daunting at first.  You've just built that backyard pond you've been dreaming of and now what? Right now, it is just some rocks and water, but not for long.  Before you start adding koi or other pond fish, we re...

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3 Common Mistakes to Avoid when Building a Pond

Every pond is like a snowflake or a thumbprint, no two are exactly the same. But often times, these same 3 topics get overlooked or underestimated in the pond planning and designing stages.  1. LOCATION  Low lying areas in the yard,...

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HELP! This Pond was Here When I Moved In..

Every so often a customer will come in or call us saying; “We recently bought a new house BUT it came with a backyard pond.. The problem is I have no clue what to do with it, can you help?!” The answer is yes, of course we can help you wi...

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How to Hide a Waterfall Spillway

Tips for Hiding your Waterfall Spillway  A pond waterfall box provides biological filtration as well as serving as the starting point for the re-circulation of your pond’s water. But who wants to see a big black box at the...

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Secure Your Pond Liner with Quality Underlayment

Is it Necessary to use Pond Underlayment with my Liner? Keep reading to learn the benefits of installing underlayment when you use pond liner. There are many ways to get a job done, but we are here to tell you ways that will save you the most trouble...

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Keeping Fish Out Of Pond Skimmers

“How do I Keep my Fish Out of the Pond Skimmer?” This is a very common question, so do not think that you are alone on this.  Below are the 3 most common reasons your fish might be going into the skimmer box and how to prevent it....

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Treating Different Types Of Pond Algae

It’s true, algae can be very unsightly and sometimes disheartening, but it’s also true that some algae is actually good for your pond and water garden. The following content will help you identify different types of green algae found in y...

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Benefits of a Bog Garden for Ponds

"So, what is a bog?"  Bog gardens exist in nature - in low-lying areas, or around ponds, lakes or streams. Bog plants love overly moist soil, that is waterlogged, but not standing. As pond owners, we can use this idea to our benefit. Adding a bo...

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Keep Mosquitoes Away from Your Pond

Mosquitos, Your Garden Pond and You  Many people often have concerns about attracting mosquitos if they build a water feature. We can tell you that while a garden pond is not necessarily the cause for mosquitos, it does have many natural defense...

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Fertilizing Pond Plants

‘Feeding’ your aquatics maximizes its beauty and will get you the most out of your pond plants. The plant food tablets we recommend, were formulated to feed all aquatic plants - while not releasing chemicals into the water that would enco...

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Learn the Many Benefits of a Floating Fish Feeder Ring

What is a Fish Feeding Ring?  A feeder ring is a light-weight tube formed into a circle that floats on the surface of the pond. Its main purpose is to hold floating fish food in one place, inside the ring, for pond fish to eat – but can be...

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Quick Guide to Understanding Your Pond's Ecosystem

WHAT IS AN ECOSYSTEM?  A pond’s ecosystem is the balance between fish, plants, bacteria, critters and other living organisms. Within this ecosystem, the nitrogen cycle is occurring.   Plant waste, fish waste, uneaten food, etc. break...

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A Pond Habitat: Frogs, Snails, and Birds

“If you build it, they will come.” Water alone is an attraction to so many different creatures. Some stay and some just stop in for a visit. When you start talking about pond water you are now talking about an eco-system, which is much la...

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How to Make a Floating Island for Your Pond

Making the Most of your Floating Plants and Floating Planter  Whether your water garden has plant ledges or not, you can still reap the benefits of floating pond plants with island planters.  There are numerous amounts of aquatic marginal...

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What Fish Can Live In A Garden Pond?

We, of course, want you to have the best ponding experience possible. When you build an outdoor pond with fish in mind, you are creating a home for your new pets. Use this guide to help you in choosing which pond fish are most suitable for you and yo...

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Four Primary Pond Plants: Essential Choices

Types of Plants for Your Pond: Pond plants are a hearty food source to bugs, critters, and fish in and around the pond, but they also play an essential role in your pond’s filtration. They are the best filters known to man. The combination of p...

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8 Ideas to Renew Your Pond

You have now been a part of the ponding scene for years and just desire a fresh look, upgrade, or something new added to your water feature. Here are a few add-ons to bring that “newness” back to your garden: 1. Spitters or Fountains Add...

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This is a Test…The Chemistry of your Pond Water

“Testing your Pond Water Could Save a Life”  Monitoring the water quality in your koi pond and performing regular tests of the pond water can give insight into what is going on inside the pond that you cannot see.  Clear water...

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How to Build a Pondless Waterfall

Pondless Waterfalls - How to Avoid Future Problems with your Water Feature:  I cannot express enough how many headaches and how much money you will save if your water feature is built with the future in mind. Using the proper waterfall supplies...

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Learn How to Divide Water Lilies and Lotus

Did you know that dividing your water lilies and lotus is a good way to add protection for your pond fish with what you already have? Pond plants, particularly water lilies and lotus, covering the pond’s surface has an optimal range in being b...

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Pond Water Treatments

So many products, but what do they do? Do I need to use them all? Let this guide help “clear it up for you.”  Beneficial Bacteria colonizes within your biological pond filter, breaks down ammonia from fish waste and decomposing...

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Pond Thermometers and Pond Health

“The Importance of your Pond Thermometer” Hard to believe that such a small thing, like a pond thermometer, can give you so much information throughout the pond season, but it’s true. Read on to find out what the temperature of your...

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Oh No, My Pond Fish Did Not make It Through the Winter!

The weather is beginning to get warmer and I started to open my pond for spring, but there’s a problem... My koi and pond fish did not survive the winter! What happened?! Right away I’d like to express how sorry I am. After all, your finn...

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