QUESTION: Can the ArmorTec surface come off?

ANSWER: No, because the ArmorTec surface and the paver are one. The manufacturing process is known as hardfacing.

QUESTION: Will Cambridge pavers with ArmorTec fade?

ANSWER: No, because the ArmorTec surface with its pure-pigment shades preserves the color forever.

QUESTION: Are pavers slippery?

ANSWER: No. As a matter of fact, Cambridge pavers surpass the standards for slip-resistance set by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

QUESTION: What is efflorescence?

ANSWER: It is a white powder-like deposit that sometimes appears on concrete products. It in no way
affects the structural integrity of the pavingstone, and it will wear off over time.

QUESTION: Why do you put rocks and gravel on the bottom of the pond?

ANSWER: There are a number of reasons why we use rock and gravel in our ponds. The most important reason is for filtration purposes. The rocks provide a large area for bacteria to colonize. The bacteria breaks down fish waste and other organic debris that falls to the bottom of the pond. The second reason is to help hold the liner in place so that the water weight doesn't pull it down. Thirdly, it makes the pond look much more natural than having a black liner covered with algae. The fourth reason is that the rocks can be used as hiding places for fish, frogs, turtles, crayfish, and any other creatures you might have, giving them a natural environment to feel safe in. Lastly, you can use the rocks and gravel as camouflage to hide plant pots.

QUESTION: I'm concerned about West Nile Virus. Will a pond promote mosquitoes?

ANSWER: Standing, non-moving (still) water is the perfect location for mosquito larvae. However, in a filtered pond situation, where you have moving water at all times, there is less concern about mosquitoes. The good news is that fish eat mosquito larvae, so if mosquitoes do lay eggs in a pond, the fish will take care of them naturally. And, for additional insurance, if you're still concerned about mosquitoes, you can purchase NurseryPro's Pre-Strike, which kills mosquitoes before they hatch for 21 days. We sell this product in our store, "Water Gardens and More..."

QUESTION: What is the recommended amount of fish to put in the pond?

ANSWER: A good guide to use is to have 1" of fish for every 1 sq.ft. of pond surface area. For example, an 11' x 16' pond would have approx. 176 sq.ft. of surface area. This means that you could safely have around 40 goldfish that are 4" long; however, keep in mind that fish grow. Also, if you are going to have a Koi pond, the rules are a little different. For one thing your pond should be at least 2' deep for Koi. Also, because Koi are big eaters, they also produce more waste than goldfish, and you must have a good filtration system to keep your water healthy. For example, an 11' x 16' x 2' pond will have approximately 2500 gallons of water. You could safely have 14 to 20 Koi in a pond that size. We do not recommend Koi in ponds less than 600 gallons.

QUESTION: How do I determine that amount of water in my pond?

ANSWER:  Here are the formulas we use for determining how many gallons of water may be in your pond. Keep in mind, however, that the rocks used inside of your pond can decrease the amount of water.

• Circular pond: 3.14r2 x average depth x 7.48
• Irregular pond: length x width x average depth x 7.48

QUESTION:  How deep should the pond be?

ANSWER: Average size ponds don't need to be more than 2' deep for fish and plants to overwinter in Zone 6.

QUESTION: What do you do with fish in the winter?

ANSWER: You can leave them in your pond. However, it is best to keep your pond filtration system running throughout the winter and to provide some type of floating heater/de-icer in order to keep a hole open in the ice for the fish. This allows the transfer of oxygen into the water and allows harmful gases to escape. You must keep a close watch on your pond during the winter months if you choose to keep it running.

QUESTION: How often should you feed the fish?

ANSWER:  This really comes down to your own personal preference and how friendly you want you fish to be. You should probably only feed goldfish once per day. Koi need to eat more in order to grow to a nice size. Some people recommend feeding them 3 times per day; however, you should not give them more food than they can consume in 5 minutes. Also, the more fish eat, the more waste they produce. So, make sure you have a strong filtration system to combat the possibility of amonia buildup and excessive algae growth. On the other hand, your fish will not starve if you don't feed them everyday; they will have plenty of things to nibble on in the pond. So, if you decide to go on vacation, your fish will be able to take care of themselves.

QUESTION: When should you start/stop feeding the fish?

ANSWER: Don't feed fish when the water temperature is under 55 degrees. The fish metabolism is slowed down, and they won't be able to process the food.

QUESTION: What is the recommended amount of plants to put in the pond?

ANSWER:  You should strive to have an average of 30% to 50% of the water surface covered. If your pond is in total sun for more than 12 hours per day during the summer, you may want to increase the coverage to 70%. You want to have a good mix of plants; not all one type of plant. Use a mix of marginal (bog) plants--like cattails, rushes, iris, canna lilies--and oxygenators, floaters, and water lilies. Tropical floating plants like water hyacinth and water lettuce absorb the maximum amount of nutrient from the water and thus inhibit algae growth. They are very beneficial as a natural filtration system. Another idea is to purchase floating island planters that allow the plant's root system to grow directly below the planter in the water.

QUESTION: What happens to the plants in the winter time?

ANSWER: Most hardy plants will die back and go dormant during the winter. Tropical plants need to be brought inside or treated as annuals.

If you have a question that has not been answered above, please go to our Contact Us page and present your question to us. We'll try to answer it as best as we can. Thank you.