Articles By Douglas C. Hoover


Pond Liner Defects - Count The Cost
So you are considering building your own koi pond, or having one built? Do not add your name to the growing list of  disgusted leaky pond owners. Please research all aspects of water gardening before proceeding. I am not   
suggesting  you google pond liners, or koi ponds, or how to build a koi pond... (read more)


How To Design A Water Garden 
If you have ever designed a water garden by sketching with colored pencils on a sheet of graph paper, let me be the first person to tell you that there is a better way! Here's why... (read more)

Water Gardens Exposed
There are increasingly greater numbers of people arriving at the startling revelation that water gardening is not what it was cracked up to be. For 26 years I have promised my clients that the water feature I build for them would bring them more long-term joy and pleasure than anything they had purchased in the past... (read more)

Liner Disciples: Not Eating Their Own Dog Food
After spending some time reading the Piranha Press (water garden forums), I am scared to wade into the water [Forum] or even "get my feet wet." Good grief, talk about "eating their own". . . Where is the loyalty, appreciation, gratitude, dedication, camaraderie and "family pride" pride?After spending some time reading the Piranha Press (water garden forums), I am scared to wade into the water [Forum] or even "get my feet wet." Good grief, talk about "eating their own". . . Where is the loyalty, appreciation, gratitude, dedication, camaraderie and "family pride"
pride?  (read more)

Water Feature Forums-Oh My!
As of late, I have discovered that sharing my bias towards pond liners with a forum full of pond liner installers is
something like trying to pass out Bibles at a porn convention! (read more)

Want a Koi Pond? Get a Clue
I had a pond once, and you couldn't see the fish for the algae. Someone said to use algaecide, and somebody else said to get a U.V. Someone said to get more plants, and someone else said I had too many fish for the size of my pond. No problem...a crane ate half of them and last month a raccoon ate the rest. Someone said I need a scarecrow sprinkler or a pond net. I asked, What for? I don't have fish any more, only lots of mosquitoe larvae... (read more) 

Koi Pond: Which Pump to Use 
One major drawback of sump pumps that the liner pond industry does not share with their clients is that they are literally energy sponges. But then, that is not the only thing they forget to mention to their usually innocent and unsuspecting clients... (read more)

Pond Design: Digitally Designed Masterpieces- Virtual Water Features Part I
One of the most challenging aspects of designing ponds and waterfalls is trying to convey my ideas to my client. Coming up with award-winning pond designs or implementing them using adequate skills and experience is not a problem. My challenge is getting my client to see what I see... (read more)

Pond Design: Digitally Design Masterpieces- Virtual Water Features Part II
This article talks about the exciting art of digital pond design and all of its various facets. Add digital design to your landscape or general contractors business and add incredible profits to your existing business. Increase your sales close by 60%! Dazzle your clients and impress your friends and neighbors. You can learn in a matter of hours,i it is fun! (read more)

Koi Pond or Pondless Waterfall: Where Do I Begin?
Have you thought about A Water Feature? Is it true that a water feature will add equity to my home? What about a swimming pool? Doesn't a pond require a lot of upkeep? What is the average cost? Do I need a building permit? Do I have to have fish? We travel a lot! What is the single most important first step in building a water feature? What about equipment? Should I get koi fish and a turtle? Where should I place my pond and waterfall? All these questions can be addressed with two words: Plan & Design! (read more) 

Ponds & Waterfalls: Layout & Excavation
Layout is the most important phase of the entire project. I have heard many complaints from disappointed clients after they had a chance to get used to their new addition to the landscape. "I only wish we had made it bigger, made it deeper, added an island, made it longer and constructed a bridge, built it closer to the house, installed a larger water pump for the waterfall - or - built the waterfall higher or wider."  (read more)

Pondless Waterfalls: Concrete vs. Pond Liner
The get-rich-quick factor in the pond liner industry has forced up the price of pond liner kits to equal the cost of concrete construction. If you search for the truth about concrete ponds and waterfalls from reading the literature of the greed-driven liner pond industry, you will not find it. Why? Because if the truth be known, no one in their right mind would invest good, hard-earned money in a pond liner!  (read more)

Pondless Waterfalls: Why Pondless?
A pondless waterfall is the answer to many problems in our diverse world. No pond, no maintenance! Another positive benefit of a pondless waterfall is the money that is saved. If you do not have a pond, less material and labor is required in the construction. (read more)

Koi Pond: Finding a Contractor - 18 Important Things to Know
Because there is such a wide range of information to be learned on this topic of koi pond and waterfall construction and so much technical information out there, you may decide to seek professional assistance to complete part or all of the water features. Before you proceed, here are 18 extremely important facts you should know... (read more)

Koi Pond: Fish or No Fish?
If a pond has a waterfall to aerate the water, fish will produce waste that is broken down by nitrifying bacteria into nitrate nitrogen, and water plants will use the nitrogen and thrive. In turn, the fish eat the algae and small water insects that live on the rocks and plant roots. And those bugs eat other smaller bugs that eat microscopic bugs that eat bad bacteria bugs. This is called the nitrogen cycle. A properly balanced pond like this will pretty much take care of itself... (read more)
 
Koi Pond: Oxygen Levels
Adequate oxygen is essential for the health and survival of your koi fish and other pond creatures. As pond life utilizes the oxygen content of the water, it needs to be replaced. Oxygen enters the water where these two contact each other – primarily at the koi pond's surface. That is why a waterfall is such a vital adjunct to your water feature. (read more)

Koi Pond: Filter vs. Fish 
The size of the bio-filter used in a koi pond is in direct proportion to the number of fish per gallon. The more fish, the more waste and the bigger the filter that is needed. Do you really need a filter? Not necessarily on the small ones... (read more)

Koi Pond: Is pH Important?
Koi Pond: Is pH Important? It can mean the difference between life and death of your koi fish! Generally speaking, alkaline conditions are more common than acidic in koi ponds, especially the newer ones. If the pH remains over 8.5 for any length of time, the koi fish will become stressed or diseased... (read more) 

Koi Pond: Water Chemistry
The most basic conditions of your koi pond water chemistry are the pH factor (which stands for potential Hydrogen) and water hardness. These factors alone can determine the life or death of your koi pond's inhabitants... (read more)

Koi Pond: Biological Filters 
Contrary to common belief, biological filters do not process or filter the solid waste of fish in your koi pond. They continue to build up and putrefy, creating a breeding ground for harmful species of heterotrophic bacteria which are pathogenic to koi fish. As stated, the biological filtration process utilizes Nitrosomonas bacteria to break down ammonia into nitrite and nitrobacter, further converting nitrites into nitrates, which is less harmful to koi fish... (read more)

Koi Pond: Dispelling Myths About Concrete
What do some liner promoters and salesmen say about professional pond installations using concrete & rebar, plus mortar for the rocks? Is it true? (read more)

Koi Pond & Waterfall: Top 21 Most Asked Questions Answered
Question: What is the ideal depth for a koi pond? Answer: In my experience of over 25 years, 4 to 5 feet is ideal. You need a minimum of 3 feet for koi fish for several reasons. Safety for fish from wading cranes they can't wade in 3 feet of water. Plus the water temperature in shallow ponds fluctuates too much with the changes in ambient temperature. The greater the volume of water, the longer it takes for the temperature to change. Warm water or fluctuating temperatures are unhealthy for fish. (read more)

Pond Liners: The Hole Story
This article talks about the importance of planning your water garden in advance and how costly it can become if you don't, what it can end up costing by trying to save money, having a pond liner installed by an inexperienced contractor. What can happen if you install the wrong equipment. This article could save you thousands. (read more)

Pond Liner: Buyer Beware
This article discusses many reasons why pond liners should not be used to construct a pond. The reasons most liner ponds eventually leak are discussed and how liner leaks are contended with. (read more)

Koi Pond and Waterfall Builders: What You Need to Know
This article answers many vital questions about waterfall and pond construction for the home owner such as layout, design, engineering, shape, size and estimated cost. (read more)

Ponds & Waterfalls: Water Living
Why should you seriously consider installing a pond & waterfall on your property. Besides adding equity to your home, a properly constructed water feature can bring more long term joy and pleasure than anything else money can buy. This article will provide guide lines for considering such an investment. (read more)

Koi Pond: Liners vs. Professional Construction
This article spells out in simple terms the difference between pond liner pond construction and professional constructed ponds and waterfalls using rebar and concrete. In 25 years, I have built well over 1900 concrete and rebar water features and over the last 5 years have ripped out over 30 leaky or defective rubber pond liners and replaced them with concrete and steel. (read more)

Pond Liners: 7 Reasons Why I Don't Use Them
This article deals with the plain shocking truth about the pond liner industry. In simple terms, pond liners will eventually leak. (read more)