How To Build A Perfect Water Garden

A water garden provides a perfect place for relaxation. Available in a variety of different sizes, water gardens can be built into the ground or placed on a patio as a small an elegant water feature.

Today, we explain a little about what water gardens are, how they work, and how you can build one yourself in your outdoor area.

What are water gardens?

At Aquascape Australia, we use the term "water garden" to describe a range of different water features. This can include ecosystem ponds, recreation ponds, and patio ponds. Water gardens generally also incorporate plants and sometimes fish too, to create a beautiful, living water features.

How does it work?

Different water gardenswork in different ways. Some are smaller - like our patio ponds, while others are expansive and a little more complex. As a general rule, water gardens work by recirculating the water through the feature. Some also use beneficial bacteria, along with mechanical and biological filtration to keep the water clear and clean.

How does a patio pond work?

We stock patio ponds, spillway bowls & basins, plus the AquaGarden Mini Pond Kit on our website.

A patio pond can be used to create a small container pond for your outdoor area. Pair it with a suitable pump and add your favourite aquatic plants to make your own custom creation.

Our spillway bowls & basins create a recirculating water feature that can be placed on a patio, in the garden, or incorporated into a larger water feature as an eye-catching addition. We have a Spillway Bowl & Basin Landscape Fountain Kit available that includes all the products needed to build a complete water garden.

Those looking for a smaller water garden, or one that can be placed indoors may be interested in the AquaGarden Mini Pond Kit. This kit includes everything you need to create a complete mini pond in or outdoors. It's ideal as a simple water garden, making it perfect for beginners. Add your favourite plants, pebbles, and maybe even a couple of fish for your own custom water feature.

How does an ecosystem or recreation pond work?

Our ecosystem ponds and recreation ponds are a little more complex, but also provide a larger, tranquil water garden feature.

Ecosystem ponds work by recirculating the water through the pond and using beneficial bacteria plus filtration to break down organic matter in the water. This keeps the water clear and healthy for fish and plants. The pond can also be stocked with a variety of fish, including koi and natives. Recreation ponds are similar to ecosystem ponds. This type of pond is perfect for those looking for a larger garden pond that can be used for swimming or simply enjoying the beauty of nature.

How to build a water garden

Building your very own water garden doesn't have to be a tricky task! Whether it's a mini pond for your desk or an expansive recreation pond, our products and kits make it easy to create your own water garden.

Building a patio pond

Bring a patio pond or spillway bowl & basin into your outdoor space with the fantastic range of products available at Aquascape Australia. Our Spillway Bowl & Basin Landscape Fountain Kit makes it simple to build your very own compact water garden. These small water features can be placed on your patio or within the garden itself. For more information on how to set yours up, check out our comprehensive article on Spillway Bowl Installation.

Building a mini pond

Our AquaGarden Mini Pond Kit includes everything you need to create a small water garden on your desk or outdoor table. This kit comes with a filter, water pump, expanded clay grow media for biological filtration, gravel, and a waterfall light for night-time illumination. Simply place the container in the desired location, then follow the instructions to set it up. Once you've finished adding all necessary components, you may like to add aquatic plants and fish to the feature.

Building an ecosystem pond

An ecosystem pond takes a little more effort to build than smaller features, but the end results are stunning water gardens that can be appreciated by both animals and humans. We have a wide range of pond kits that provide you with everything you need to build your very own ecosystem pond in your garden. From our DIY Backyard Pond Kit - 1.2m x 1.8m through to our Large Deluxe Pond Kit - 6.4m x 7.9m, there are many complete kits to choose from when it comes to creating your pond. These kits come with all the items you'll need to build a beautiful ecosystem pond. For more information on building your pond, check out our video on How to Build a Pond by Aquascape.

Building a recreation pond

Recreation ponds are designed to be a natural alternative to chemical pools. Relying on beneficial bacteria, plus biological and mechanical filtration to remain clean and clear, they're ideal water gardens for those who love to swim and who have some space outdoors. Aquascape Australia currently offers two different types of recreation pond kits. These are the Recreation Pond Kit - 7m x 5m - 15% Wetland and the Recreation Pond Kit - 7m x 5m - 25% Wetland. Both kits come with all the necessary products for building a recreation pond, plus an installation guide that explains how to do it.

Accessories and add-ons for your water garden

Once you've built your water garden, you may like to add a few accessories for your own personal flair. This can include underwater lighting, path lights, extra plants, or spitters. If you have a larger water garden such as an ecosystem or recreation pond, you might like to add a smaller water feature such as a patio pond or spillway bowl and basin to it. This can provide a feature piece for your large water garden and add to the visual interest.

Aquascape Australia is your one-stop shop for everything you need to build a perfect water garden. We have a wide range of products and kits available, making it easy for anyone to create their own beautiful water feature. Using these kits and products, you can easily add a touch of tranquillity to your home or garden. Read more about these water features on our Ponds & Water Gardens page.