Pondless Water Features: Explore Beauty Beyond the Pond
Water gardening takes many shapes and forms. You can have a beautiful pond as the centerpiece and focal point of your backyard, or you can have pondless features that are equally stunning. Pondless features are standalone water features that exist entirely without a pond. They are self-contained, whether it's a container fountain or a disappearing water feature. Pondless features are great for those who don't have the time or space for a pond. Let us help you learn what exactly a pondless feature is.
Water Features for Ponds
There are two main types of water features used in standard ponds: waterfalls and fountains. These features use the pond as their water source. Water pumps from the pond into the feature, creating an endless cycle. While these water features are standard in ponds, they can also be pondless by replacing the pond with a hidden basin.
Ponds usually aren't an option for those who are renting or with little space in their yard. While you can create an above-ground pond, this type of water feature still requires more room than a fountain. Pondless water features are a great alternative.
What is a Pondless Water Feature?
A pondless water feature's water source comes from a hidden container or a storage basin. They're self-contained systems. Pondless features are also an easy DIY project you can do on a weekend. The hardest part is often choosing where to put your new water feature!
Benefits of a Pondless Feature
One of the main benefits of a pondless feature is the ease of maintenance. Since the water is hidden in the basin, debris and contaminants have less chance of impacting the water. They're easier to remove and store for winter compared to winterizing a pond. All you have to do is drain the water and remove the pump and tubing.
When kept running 24/7, pondless features are less likely to attract mosquitoes. The constant running water and lack of a visible pool can also make it easier to deter mosquito breeding and inhibit algae growth. Pondless features are perfect for adding a water feature in a high-trafficked area. You don't have to worry about pets or kids falling in.
Types of Pondless Features
Disappearing Water Features
Disappearing water features use a reservoir of water often hidden underneath the water feature. A water basin is stored in a hole dug in the ground. The basin holds the feature's water and also the pump. When you place the water feature on top, you can hide the basin and conceal the inner workings of the water feature.
Project guide:
Tiered Fountains
You can create a fun DIY fountain using planters of different sizes and stacking them by height. The biggest planter or basin at the bottom will hold the water and pump. The pump will take the water and push it to the smallest planter at the top until it overflows and trickles back down to the water reservoir. You can hide the pump with rocks and disguise the tubing.
Project guides:
Container Fountains
The smartpond Container Fountain Kit lets you turn any water-holder planter or basin into a beautiful fountain in just a few minutes. The kit includes a 70 GHP pump, filter box, three nozzles to choose from, container stands, and everything else you need to set up your fountain. All you have to do is choose your container and then add any rocks or other decorations.
Project guides:
- Container Fountain
- Terracotta Fountain
- Bowl Fountain
- Lantern Fountain
- Fish-shaped Fountain
- Birdcage Fountain
Fountains within Flower Pots
You can combine a fountain with your favorite flowers. This gives you the best of both worlds. The secret to this type of water feature is having a smaller water-tight planter within your main flower pot to house your fountain, pump, and water. You can contain it all within this planter and surround it with your favorite plants.
Project guides:
Spitter Fountains
Spitter fountains are a fun decorative water feature that focuses on the spitter that you choose. The spitter can sit on a table, shelf, or other area and then "spit" or pour water into the planter below that will house the pump and water reservoir. The spitter must be placed above the planter so the water can visibly flow. The higher the spitter, the harder the pump will have to work.
Project guide:
Vortex Fountain
If you're feeling crafty and want to create a fountain that has the "wow: factor, consider a Vortex Fountain. This fountain requires more set-up than the other DIY fountains but looks beautiful when finished. The key to a Vortex Fountain is a glass cylinder that the water will swirl end, creating an endless water tornado.
Project guide:
You can have a delightful water feature without, or just separate from, a pond. Water features bring a backyard to life, adding a peaceful ambient sound that relaxes and calms. A pondless water feature can offer more flexibility and versatility than a pond. They're also easier to set up and maintain. Many fun DIY pondless features are easy projects to enhance your backyard for a simple weekend project.
