How to Build a Waterfall - Part 2

[@johnhatten350]

This series of videos is AMAZING! 21 videos that cover just about every aspect of pond and waterfall building. THANK YOU! This part 2 isn't the part 2 that I was expecting to cover the details of the plumbing, but throughout the series there are many good plumbing tips. This is truly a fantastic series!

[@dillonjohnson8]

Thanks for the Part 2 video guys, awesome as always. Just did my FIRST spring clean out two weeks ago and followed PD's steps perfect and all went great. Pond looks even better in year two. I built my pond following all the PD's video's and only use all treatment from him, my pond has never looked dirty following the guidelines he's instructed. Cleaning the "gunk" is very easy with a once year spring clean. Look forward to the next videos and the BOOK

[@kyledavidson8216]

After watching countless videos to educate myself on the tedious art of building and foaming a waterfall this is by far the best done video for taking the time to show and explain some key points for waterfall, thank you so much

[@ThePondDigger]

I'm glad our tips were helpful. We use silicone to seal up the mechanical attachments from line to filters. Not sure about the landscape silicone. Best of luck to you.

[@lou2387]

Best video I've found for waterfall building tips thank you! I'm female from the UK and want to build a dog pond with waterfall. Your up close detailed video was really helpful! Subscribed.

[@h2_kumar]

Thank you for your excellent videos and tips. I'm about to embark on having a contractor build a stream and waterfalls for me, and you have given me a ton of great advice. Thank you so much.

[@ThePondDigger]

Awesome! Send us video footage when you are done!

[@ThePondDigger]

Thanks for your feedback. Personally I really enjoy dry stacking stone! Spring fed ponds - so many different angles. Watch the temperature, is it warm or cold? Is it oxygenated or is it low in oxygen? Do you have an overflow on the pond and if so adding water treatments could be a challenge. These are just a couple of things that come to mind when we talk spring fed.

[@1habicher]

Again very good instructions and great work that you present. I have learned a lot already and now know who to call if I get over my head, it is not hard to do once you get hooked you do not stop!

[@Leeto43]

Thanks for all the tips, I am about 85% done with my renovated pond (1000gallon to 3000 gallon) and I must have watched this video 4 or 5 times to try and replicate some of your methods/style. My back is sore from all of those damn "character" stones. I hope to foaming my fall this weekend, I hope I don't screw it up. Thanks again, your work looks great.

[@ThePondDigger]

@lazyboyinc Yes you can definitely use the retaining wall as the last fall into the pond. We typically will remove the cap of the wall to make the transition smooth and natural looking. Go for it!

[@ThePondDigger]

@joshinator800 Yeah the tunnel is a nice touch to a pond to provide shelter and refuge for fish hiding from predators. Did you like the plume of air that comes out of the rock out cropping in the bottom of the pond? I really like that feature.

[@buckleyboyz1]

I liked your video straight to the point of explanation and didn't have to sit and watch you build it and take up all my time. Thanks

[@ThePondDigger]

+HB buckley Thanks for watching!

[@suhanashaek2936]

ThePondDigger xxxvedeo

[@suhanashaek2936]

xxxxvedeoutoq

[@TheBikerBarn]

a true artist with a man' way of creation... fricken sweet bud!! been watching all your videos.. insanely inspirational!! took allot of elbow grease to do it your way but no one can top my pond around here now.. and my koi even seem happier.

[@psalm1dan]

Because of your unselfish sharing of your knowledge and experience I made a pond in my backyard.You are one awesome dude! ................Pond Superfreak from Texas

[@shovelhead91701]

I just started a waterfall/ pond project at home for my wife. I am really glad I found you on KZbin! I am a swimming pool contractor and thought " Hey! we build water features all the time! This can't be any different......" Lol, I really appreciate another professional putting this info out there for everyone. You saved me a lot of headaches on my project because other than my main drains I scrapped the complete hydraulics plan for my project after your videos.... Pics when finished?

[@IsawThisAlready]

Thanks alot. Im doing my first ever pondless waterfall. Doing it slowly but w great patients to my work. Pretty proud of myself and watching good videos like these i can't too much credit. I wouldn't of done it w out professionals like yourself posting and helping ppl. Thank you very much

[@ThePondDigger]

IsawThisAlready Glad to help!

[@pralhadhangal837]

pls show us ur work

[@dwanebeattie3380]

Thanks for all the ideas. i'm revamping my waterfall for my pond this weekend.. love your work. Have a Great weekend

[@MsDutchy21]

Beautiful! Looks like its tough to do, back breaking if you are a weekend warrior :). Better leave it to the pro's that are strengthened and conditioned for this job! So when I get enough money, I will give you a call :). Thank you for showing your skills and tips!

[@msdebbiep]

Excellent! 1. I wish I could hire you to create a masterpiece! 2) I really enjoyed watching an artist at work, getting to hear the thoughts behind the piece ... and 3) thank you for sharing your wisdom.

[@barbll000]

Awesome video. I can see how passionate you are about your work and getting it right and the results are stunning. Great job!

[@ThePondDigger]

Our work here is done! Inspiration!!!! one of our missions!

[@TheRossiboy]

your ponds are the best I've seen, great work! thanks for all the helpful tips

[@rachealhenderson3287]

So helpful!! Thanks!! No one else explains how to use it.

[@AndrewKirkArt]

Another great video, Eric. The pond and waterfall look great!

[@ThePondDigger]

You might be surprised. This tunnel stays very clean. We have large koi and a turtle that tend to keep it flushed from sediment just from using it all the time AND we have a suction pipe under the tunnel and the gravel that does a great job keeping it clean.

[@scottleblanc7063]

Great tips in the video! This will make my waterfall so much better.

[@ThePondDigger]

Scott LeBlanc Thanks for watching!

[@cornishplanthunters4768]

really impressed with your professionalism ..but a bit daunted as started my pond and getting more and more questions

[@ThePondDigger]

@snowtigre1967 This pond has a large suction grid across the bottom of the pond below the cobble gravel. The pond may need to be drained and cleaned in 5 to 7 years. The pond is completely care free for the home owner. We install bottom drains in at least half of our installations with no gravel on the bottom of the pond. Our pond installation designs are all predicated on the goals and expectations of the home owners. We inform, educate, inspire....and then install. Thanks for the feedback

[@ThePondDigger]

Thanks for your compliments. Our average project takes about a week, give or take a day. I have a great team. Typically a 5 man crew.

[@cyndidavis6665]

I've been losing tons of water everyday from my fall, this was a great video to help me , going to get some foam today! Thank you!!!!

[@TheRossiboy]

great video! It's good to know you guys are still making vids. These vids are also very helpful and have a lot of good content in there...keep it up!

[@ThePondDigger]

@largepandabutt It was a long winter and a delayed spring that's for sure! We're glad the weather is finally cooperating! Let's get to work on our water features!

[@Lukhal08]

Love this pond , really skilled work , but tell me has there ever been and disasters - i.e. leakage , liner tear , or colapes during your career , i know we had one last year whole pond and waterfall had to come out and that only had edging stones , couldnt emagine having to pull all that rock out again?!? Once again amasing work , i bet the owner is absolutly amazed with the end results!! Thanks for the inspiration

[@ThePondDigger]

@dalohe82 This pond had a price tag around 20k. A price tag on a pond this size is can range from 15k to 30k depending on many different variables.

[@ThePondDigger]

The alternative is vacuuming the bottom of the pond monthly (during your NON FROZEN season) and you will likely need to install a UV Clarifier to help keep the pond from turning green. Huge colonies of beneficial bacteria grow on the gravel in the bottom of the pond and keep the pond from turning green. If you remove the gravel your pond might turn green so be prepared to install the UV if needed.

[@RHill79]

Air you are extremely knowledgeable about this thank you for sharing your knowledge that looks awesome

[@scottlangwothy7662]

Hey fellas great video great waterfall and pond

[@ThePondDigger]

Ya typically the electric is located strategically close to the pump and typically hidden in the landscape. Typically it is plugged in directly but occasionally hardwired.

[@caseybtx]

Very good video. Lots of good information, and I really like the sand/foam tricks

[@ThePondDigger]

@Lukhal08 We typically deal with other people's disasters but we run into our own disasters on occasion. $#it happens. And yes we have moved rock into a pond, out of a pond and then back into a pond making repairs.

[@ThePondDigger]

We used all schedule 40 PVC. The waterproof sheet under the rock is a blank skimmer tank that we customized for water changes.

[@kittensruleforever]

Oh, That is so to die for! that is a beautiful peice of work ;)

[@joshinator800]

love the tunnel! great work!

[@knothole5]

been along time great to see you back

[@kookeediishh]

totally worth the wait, really nice job guys!!

[@Vindezal]

Very Very useful video. I have a waterfall ive created but have not used the waterfall foam yet. Unfortunately I have to wait till spring now till it warms up as you need to use it from 15c+ . It'll be good though, as I do see some of the water back flowing under the levels and down the edges. I have plants either side that have covered the liner though!

[@gekritzl]

Wow - real artists, thank you!

[@deppurple700]

I just have one word for you my friend " THANK YOU" ooops thatsv2 words my bad but i must have watched 20 vids and yours are the only ones that show and teach and point out everything so for all you people that want to don8t yourself stop looking at other people and just watch this mans lessons its all you need to know how to do it yourself

[@ThePondDigger]

Thanks for your great feedback. If you win the big lotto give us a call. We have tools and will travel!

[@ThePondDigger]

@kookeediishh Thanks for the feedback! We had a great time producing it.

[@charliebaton5984]

Your videos are very informative and well filmed. Any tips on keeping the pond water as crystal clear as possible?

[@adurpina]

amazing video*such wonderful..

[@ThePondDigger]

So glad the content is helpful and yes I have a dynamite videographer! Have you watched our water treatment video? It has good info on water quality management.

[@shawnwing4075]

I've been doing landscaping for most my life so I do a lot of the same stuff and just want you to know you do good work. It's different from ours but the plants and the water feature go together really good and it looks so realistic like something you would actually see. I like ir

[@ThePondDigger]

Thank you so much for the kind words. Much appreciated!

[@iansvlogs]

i waited, lol. looks just amazing guys. another great job.

[@ThePondDigger]

Yes that ornamental rock goes for a pretty penny! Here is So Cal the mexican beach pebble goes for over 400 a ton!

[@billshultz1912]

Great video! Since you helped us I hope this can help you. I've been in the trades for most of my life. When you "dust" the face of your foam mortar try using a small hawk to lay your dirt or concrete sand on and flick the dirt or screening material into the foam with a paint brush. We have used this on brick mortar to "age" the mortar for repairs. Also there is a tool called a slicker you can use to point the dirty foam to shape it and keep it off your fingers. Thanks again for your video and I hope you take my trade experience the way it is intended.

[@ThePondDigger]

Bill Shultz Thank you for the advise! I will look into that!

[@1habicher]

I like your instructions and have not as yet seen any waterfallfoam and all other foams I have bought were useless after many months so it is good to be told do not overbuy that staff. To plastic top of the waterfall is a bit too big for me.Is that staff available overseas in Australia. Your rockwork and to work without gloves is to be admired but I like to use gloves, they are cheap and just one sore finger will prove that fellow has learned the hard way. Excellent work!

[@highhopes3121]

thanks for the video tips, really helped me. working on a fountain and bought some of DIY black foam product from local pond store.

[@highhopes3121]

oh, and you're right its a lot of fun!

[@ThePondDigger]

Thank you for the great feedback!

[@sinlokemp]

great video and an amazing pond!

[@ThePondDigger]

Thank you very much!

[@ThePondDigger]

Glad our videos helped shine light on your goals.

[@ThePondDigger]

Yes lime leaching from cement in your pond- if not cured correctly- can be harmful to your fish. We acid wash any cement work we do in the pond and thoroughly rinse before acclimizing any fish into our ponds.

[@83yomomma]

Wow. That came out beautiful

[@ThePondDigger]

+George Perez Thank you so much!

[@ThePondDigger]

@Arteolike Thanks for the compliment!

[@ThePondDigger]

@MultiFishcrazy Thanks for the feedback. Truth is I'm a fish geek, MultiFishCrazy. The fish are the fuel behind my passion.

[@harveyexner2549]

Great video. Thank you for doing this. Helped me tremendously!

[@huyle2064]

THanks for a very detail guiding video guy. Nice day!

[@sarahgay5366]

This is a great video, thanks. We have a 6x16 ish pond that's about 2 feet deep, what size pump would we be looking for?

[@delboy1able]

I have been looking for idea's, and this one has been very helpful thank you, nice one PondDigger :)

[@elim428]

At our local store guess like the Lowes in the US they sell landscapers foam in black,now is this stuff the same as your pond foam just repackaged different for the pond market.Would it be fish safe,or has to say for ponds ----thanks for all the cool vids maybe when i'm ready hopefully will have learned something from watching

[@ThePondDigger]

@dillonjohnson8 Thanks for the feedback Dillon!

[@ThePondDigger]

Thanks for your feedback. On occasion you will see me with gloves on but not very often. At this time the only company that I know in Australia goes by the name of Waterscapes. Try and look them up to see if they have any product available to help you with your pond project.

[@LakefieldWaterGarden]

Finally! Great stuff! Many thanks! We want more, we want more, we want more! :)

[@Thepetlover369]

Could you do a video on what pipe to use and things like that?

[@ThePondDigger]

I would say a minimum of 1500 gallons per hour to manage water quality and clarity but up to 3000 gallons per hour for a visually appealing waterfall in a width of 24 to 36 inches.

[@ThePondDigger]

@ArtKayz666 I'm not sure how much was spend on the entire backyard project? The pond construction was in the 20k bracket.

[@ThePondDigger]

Are you done???? Send us a video link! Glad we did our job here. Information, Education and Inspiration!

[@ccoastal]

hey, quick tip about tearing down foam.. pour some acetone or gas across it and it will disolve in no time. makes that mistake you made an easy fix, or in your case, home show demo.

[@ThePondDigger]

@warrior605 Much Thanks!

[@jonpileggi2621]

Very cool, thanks!

[@ThePondDigger]

@LakefieldWaterGarden We have more in the works, I promise. We will be shooting some video this weekend of a beautiful pond. Not sure what the topic will be but the pond needs to be on video. We are planning a video on How to Design a waterfall and may use some of the footage from this pond in that video tutorial. Also we are planning to shoot some video for a living water bird bath that if goes well will blow peoples minds! Stay Tuned!!!!!! The Pond Digger

[@missnichole702]

That makes total sense. Thanks :)

[@reeseacquistapace5974]

Is regular pond liner strong enough to not worry about standing on it while you build the waterfall? Or should you try to minimize the traffic?

[@ThePondDigger]

+reese acquistavate 45 mil epdm liner can take a beating! Walk all over it!

[@James-4812]

This looks good, I would love to make my own waterfall like this.

[@ThePondDigger]

You can do it!

[@benjaminmassie2978]

ThePondDigger YOU CAN DO IT ALLNIGHT LONG

[@ThePondDigger]

@joshinator800 Thanks for the feedback!

[@ThePondDigger]

Thanks for the feedback. We work hard at staying conditioned to to this work day in and day out that is no joke. Please call us when you're ready! We'll be waiting for your call.

[@mabryart]

This is great. My waterfall is leaking despite the fact that I used pond foam. Can you recommend a good foam?

[@ThePondDigger]

@bkerch55 Thanks for the feedback!

[@ThePondDigger]

@Frenzy11297 Hey there, I replied to your question in the How to build a waterfall Pt. 1 video.

[@davidgee5309]

Good tips,helps a lot thanks

[@pubwerks]

Great video very informative. I'm rehabbing a 250-300 gal preform pond at the place I bought and adding a waterfall. Besides as the visual aesthetics, does the gravel bottom serve a purpose? Thx

[@ThePondDigger]

The gravel does host beneficial bacteria. Thanks for watching!

[@ThePondDigger]

@caseybtx Thanks for the feedback. I hope it makes you a better waterfall builder!

[@philzrad]

If I have a one level waterfall (single collecting pool with one exit) and the waterfall flow is too strong, besides installing a valve to slow down the output, is there anything else I could do? I heard stacking stones to block water could help. I honestly think it's flowing out faster than coming in since the water level in the collecting pool is lower than normal.

[@vincentfiorentino630]

Eric, we plan on building a 12x20 pond with 3 1/2 ft deep sheer walls because of predators. If I use cement to hold the walls together, how do we get rid of the lime from the cement prior to introducing fish? How to calculate how much? thank you so much. Vincent

[@ThePondDigger]

vincent fiorentino Good Question Vincent! When we mortar in rock walls in a koi pond we will use muriatic acid in a spray bottle and acid wash all the mortar a couple times and rinse the pond several times before filling the pond up and adding fish. Always works well for us. USE A MASK AND EYE PROTECTION!!!!

[@Legal_Addiction]

Hey Eric. I live in Minnesota I built my pond last year and did river rock in the bottom. I just got done cleaning out all the river rock since it was already covered in sludge and. I was with out a skimmer which I just put in and now placing more large rocks.total re-rocking of this pond, now I am hesitant to put more river rock in due to the winter months. is there an alternative, What is your take on this?

[@davidteixeira9912]

Great waterfall! how long did this take to build ?

[@ThePondDigger]

Thanks

[@ThePondDigger]

Nice!