Recent Questions
     Pond Construction

Q. I purchased my pond supplies from the store yesterday, April 15, and have looked at the Installation Guide DVD, so therefore I have a question. Probably the first of many, but hopefully just a few. I have a large amount of limestone which I had planned to use for the pond & waterfall, but after looking at the DVD, it appears I need much more. Can I mix limestone with granite or will that look un-natural?
Thanks,
Bruce Allan

A. Hello Bruce:

We try to use granite as much as possible simple because it is chemically inert. Limestone can increase the alkalinity of the water and cause problems with fish. Since you do not intend on keeping fish, you should be OK, however you might want to add an IonGen ionizer to help combat string algae buildup in your water feature.

Limestone is OK for construction as long as it is stable. The sedimentary limestone in the Ottawa Valley tends to be very flaky and crumbles when submerged underwater after only a few years. My rule of thumb is - If you're willing to build your house with the stone, it's probably OK for building your pond. Your water feature is going to require about 15-20 tons of rock in sizes ranging from 8" up to 36" across. Throw in 3-4 tons of mixed river wash granite gravel (1/2" to 3") and yer good to go.

Your wife is gonna fall in love with you all over again cause by the time you finish lifting all that rock yer gonna look like a Greek Adonis. :)

As we say in the valley - Give'r!
Nicholas L. Bott, CIT, CAC