Building a beautiful pond is easy.

Building a pond that stays beautiful- clear, balanced, and low-maintenance- takes the right system working behind the scenes.

After years of designing and maintaining ponds across Austin, Dripping Springs, Wimberley, Buda, Kyle, Driftwood, and San Marcos, we’ve learned that every successful, low-stress pond comes down to three core components:

1. Strong biological filtration
2. Reliable mechanical filtration
3. Proper circulation and aeration

When these three elements work together, your pond becomes a thriving ecosystem- not a green, murky chore. Here’s how each piece works and why it matters in the Texas Hill Country.

1. Biological Filtration: The Engine of a Healthy Pond

Biological filtration is how your pond cleans itself naturally. Good bacteria (the beneficial kind) break down fish waste, dissolved organics, and excess nutrients before algae can grab hold.

BioFalls®: The Standard for Natural Filtration

Most of our ponds use a BioFalls unit, tucked into the landscape at the head of the waterfall. As water flows through, beneficial bacteria colonize the media and quietly purify your pond 24/7.

Upgrade Option: Upflow Wetland Filter

For ponds with:

• heavy fish loads
• warm, nutrient-rich water
• lots of trees nearby
• or owners who want the clearest water possible

…an upflow wetland filter is the gold standard.

Wetlands act like a natural marsh. Slow-moving water moves up through layers of gravel and plant roots, removing nutrients so efficiently that the pond becomes crystal clear with minimal intervention. For large Austin-area ponds, wetlands are often the difference between “good” and “effortlessly great.”

2. Mechanical Filtration: The Workhorse That Keeps Debris Out

Mechanical filtration is your pond’s first line of defense. Its job is simple:

Catch leaves, debris, and floating waste before it sinks and becomes sludge.

Skimmer (Standard Option)

A skimmer pulls in surface debris and traps it in an easy-to-clean basket. In Central Texas, where we see:

• Live oak leaves
• Cedar pollen
• Wind-driven debris

 …a skimmer is absolutely essential.

Checking it weekly (and in fall, daily) keeps your pond healthy and prevents sludge buildup.

Upgrade Option: Intake Bay

For larger or more naturalistic ponds, we often replace a skimmer with an intake bay- a wide, gravel-bottomed area that pulls water evenly across the pond’s surface.

Benefits:

• handles more debris
• safer for large koi
• gives the pond a cleaner look
• excellent for windy, leafy Hill Country properties

If you want a low-maintenance pond in a wooded area, an intake bay is worth considering.

3. Adequate Circulation & Aeration: The Lifeblood of the Pond

Stagnant water is unhealthy water, especially in Austin’s heat.

Proper circulation prevents algae, keeps oxygen levels high, and supports every living thing in your pond.

Waterfalls

A waterfall isn’t just pretty, it’s functional. Waterfalls:

• add oxygen
• improve flow
• prevent stratification
• help cool the pond
• keep fish healthy

But the pump must be sized correctly. Undersized pumps are one of the biggest issues we fix each year.

Aeration Systems

In summer, waterfalls alone may not provide enough oxygen. That’s when we add:

• bottom aeration
• air stones
• or high-output aerators

Aeration is especially important for koi ponds, large ponds, or ponds experiencing cloudy water or algae blooms.

When All Three Are in Sync, Your Pond Thrives

A successful pond isn’t about chemicals or guesswork- it’s about designing an ecosystem that works with nature, not against it. When biological filtration, mechanical filtration, and circulation all function as a team, you get:

• clearer water
• healthier fish
• fewer algae issues
• less maintenance
• and a more enjoyable pond year-round

Whether you’re in Austin, Dripping Springs, Wimberley, Buda, Kyle, or anywhere in the Hill Country, these foundational components are what make the difference between a pond you fight with… and a pond you love.