Garden Pond Results
Inspiration for your garden pond
See how other garden pond owners have designed and maintained their ponds. From traditional fish ponds to modern designs—discover proven methods for clear water.
The Driesen Family's Garden Pond
Simons' 6-step plan applied to the Driesen family
Filter bed
Pond substrate
Algae Control
Oxygen-producing plants
Protection
Water lilies
Water treatment
Aquatic plants
Balance
Marsh plants
Clear water
Pond bacteria
Over the past 40 years, I have had the opportunity to observe more than 1,000 garden ponds.
From small pre-formed ponds to large natural garden ponds with plants and fish.Time and again, I see the same choices being made that later lead to murky water, algae, or disappointment.
A garden pond doesn't have to be complicated.
But the basics have to be right.If you get these three things right—the right soil, the right plants, and the right bacteria—you’ll avoid 80% of the problems.
The 3 Most Common Mistakes When Building a Garden Pond
Mistake 1: Using lava, sand, or gravel as substrate
Many garden ponds are built using lava rock, sand, or gravel. That might seem logical, but in practice, it works against you.
Problems with lava, sand, or gravel:
- Plants have trouble taking root
- Plants fail to take root or die after one season
- Dirt builds up between the stones
- Water quality is becoming unstable
The result: you keep correcting instead of building balance.
The right foundation: STEP ONE Pond substrate
STEP ONE specially developed for natural ponds and ensures:
- Strong and sustainable root development
- Plants that do take root and continue to grow
- Plenty of space for beneficial bacteria
- A more stable natural water purification process
The bottom is the foundation of your entire garden pond.
If that foundation isn't right, the system remains vulnerable.
With STEP ONE , you STEP ONE a stable base right away.
Mistake 2: Incorrect combination and quantity of plants
Many garden ponds contain the wrong combination of plants or simply too few plants.
For example, only marsh plants along the edge, but no oxygenating plants—or too few of them—in the water.
Result: excess nutrients remain in the water.
And that is exactly what causes green water and algae to thrive.
A stable pond requires a well-thought-out mix:
- Marsh plants absorb nutrients through their roots and help purify the water.
- Oxygen-producing plants directly compete with algae and keep the water clear.
- Aquatic plants help absorb additional nutrients and support the biological balance.
- Water lilies provide shade, limit sunlight in the water, and thus inhibit algae growth.
It’s not about having just one attractive species, but about the right balance and sufficient numbers.
Too few plants means too little natural filtration.
Result: plants don't grow well, algae take over, and the pond becomes unbalanced.
Mistake 3: Bacteria are not added twice a year
Even with substrate and plants, waste continues to accumulate: leaf debris, fish waste, and organic sludge. Without active bacteria, this waste builds up.
What does the POND CARE maintenance package include?
- Breaks down organic waste before it feeds algae
- Keeps the bottom active and prevents silt buildup
- Supports healthy root growth
- Convert harmful substances such as ammonium and nitrite
Plants absorb nitrate and phosphate.
Bacteria first convert waste into these absorbable substances.
Without bacteria, waste builds up.
Without plants, nutrients remain in the water.
Together, these form a single system:
- Bacteria break down.
- Plants absorb.
- The soil filters and supports bacterial life.
More garden pond projects
From small to large – different styles and approaches
Do you have large fish, such as koi, that are destroying your plants?
→ See how others cleverly solve this problem here.
Enjoy clear water all year round
Would you like crystal-clear water like Léon? Check out our complete pond kits, which include everything you need based on the 6-step method.
Marnix's garden pond in Gestel
Exactly what I was looking for: a natural pond without any technology or chemicals. With the complete pond kit and the 6-step plan, everything is taken care of in one go. The pond is clear, peaceful, and completely balanced.
Pieter's garden pond in Rosmalen
Finally, no more constant battle with algae—just a pond that maintains its own balance. This is how a garden pond should be.
Lianne's garden pond in the Beemster
The water was bright green and choppy. Now I see the pond getting clearer every day, which really gives me hope.
What others are saying
More than 10,000 pond enthusiasts have already joined
“Ourswimming pond was always cloudy and full of silt after winter. After doing some research, I added POND CARE to the plant filter in the spring. After a month and a half, the water was crystal clear, and our children and we are once again enjoying the pond to the fullest!”
— Anna Vermeulen
“After winter, there was always a layer of sludge at the bottom and the water looked terrible. I usually dredge the pond, but this time I tried POND CARE in April. Since then, the water has stayed clear and the pond looks much livelier.”
— Marie Bernard
“I don’t use a pump or filter, so the water would occasionally turn green despite my plants. I then BACTA CLEAR INSTA CLEAN and BACTA CLEAR . After three weeks, I could see the bottom of the tank and my fish and frogs again. I’m going to keep using these products.”
— Luca Ibarra
“In the spring, algae would often start growing quickly and the water would become cloudy. I used POND CARE for the first time in early March. It was easy to apply, and I didn’t have to do anything else after that. The water stayed clear, and the plants look healthier than in previous years.”
— Elena Silva
“Every spring, algae would appear as soon as the weather got warmer. I started using POND CARE in March, and the water has stayed clear ever since. Maintenance is minimal, and the fish are swimming around happily. I’m pleased with the results.”