Would you swim in a pool without chlorine? Would you swim in a pond with natural filtration? Today, we're diving into the world of recreational ponds, specifically one that's naturally filtered, making it safe and enjoyable for swimming without harsh chemicals. In this blog post, we’re taking a look at the step-by-step construction of a naturally filtered rec pond in Gloucester, Virginia, offering you an enchanting escape into the beauty of nature while enjoying a chemical-free swimming experience.

Goldfish ponds can be a delightful addition to any garden or backyard. However, maintaining their cleanliness and creating a balanced ecosystem can be challenging, especially when using the common "pump and dump" method.

​In this blog post, we'll explore the process of transforming a murky, pump and dump pond into a clear, thriving ecosystem using the principles of biomimicry, while also being mindful of a budget. Additionally, we'll discover the innovative use of a spillway bowl and an Aquablox panel to create a budget-friendly bog, providing efficient filtration and nutrient balance for clear, healthy water.

​In the heart of Georgia, legendary basketball player and philanthropist Shaquille O'Neal found himself in need of major help. After an unsuccessful attempt by Shaq's team to build a second pond on their own, Aquascape answered the call for help. The project, completed in just ten days, required a massive workforce to meet Shaq's tight schedule. The dedicated team of Certified Aquascape Contractors set out to create an epic recreational pond in time to surprise Shaq for Father’s Day, but heavy rains and erosion threatened to ruin all of their hard work...

With a ticking clock and the pressure to impress, this is the story of how we came together with Aquascape to build a monumental pond fit for the big man himself—a Shaq-sized pond.

We started out with nothing but a hole in the yard, and now we have a complete backyard ecosystem nestled away in the Running Man neighborhood of Yorktown. It's incredible what is tucked away back here, and we want to walk you through the whole space.

It all begins with a rain barrel, where water falls into an Aquascape skimmer box then enters a rain garden filled with perennials that will soon become a spot of beauty when the plants begin to bloom. Any excess water overflows into a dry well and eventually drains out to the street in case of excess water. And that's just the beginning...

A few years ago, we had the pleasure of installing a patio in this backyard in the Running Man neighborhood of Yorktown, and we were thrilled to come back to add some beauty and excitement to their outdoor space. Being environmentally conscious is important to these homeowners, and they wanted our new installation to line up with their values that were already reflected in their backyard setup.

So how did we make sure their new water feature and pond was environmentally friendly? Keep reading to find out!
Pond has a few unique features: downspout that will constantly replenish the pond. Excess water will flow into a rain garden to re-use all of our natural resources.

Sometimes our projects involve a lot of installation, and sometimes we're connecting the dots with what is already in the backyard. This fun job in Yorktown is the latter! We always love working with a good River Pools installation, and this one is no exception. The backyard pool features 57 gravel and creates the perfect setup for what we're going to add.

What's going on at the Virginia Zoo in Norfolk? Well, there's always a lot happening...and this time, we have something to do with it! This current space we are working on is the old entrance to the Sea Lion exhibit, which no longer exists. Clearly, the area is overgrown and needs some work, which is where we're stepping in!

Working at the Virginia Zoo is different than in a traditional backyard. We set out to employ a technique called bio mimicry...

If a picture is worth 1,000 words, then how much is a video worth? Usually our project recaps include an explanation of our process and the installation details, but for this koi pond and patio install, we thought that we would let the finished project do all the talking. It's no secret that water feature are our favorite element to build in Hampton Roads and beyond, so this one - complete with a fire pit and patio - was the perfect project for us.

If you're interested in the details, here they are: We installed a 14x10 Tranquility Elite koi pond. Complete with underwater lights, water auto fill valve, and an auto doser. We also carved stone steps into the landscape along with a 38’ retention wall and two patios.

Our goal, as always, was for this family to enjoy their outdoor space as a second home right outside their home. Let us know if this is something you would want in your backyard!

Back in spring of 2021, we started to build a large (over 32 feet long!) eco-system pond in a big backyard located in Suffolk, Virginia. We used a 2500 and a 6000 Aquascapes Signature Series biofalls for our pond filtration. Instead of the standard Aquascape 1000 skimmer we built an intake bay to allow for lower maintenance. We also incorporated two urns and plenty of color changing lights.

Now that the fall has come we finished the pond, and it's a beauty for sure! Video 1 will show more of our process, while the second video is a peaceful, beautiful look at this incredible water feature.

Let us know if YOU would want a pond that big if this was your backyard!

Who knew what 2020 would bring?! It ended up being The Year of Home. I mused that since no one would be traveling to Paris or Venice this year, maybe people would put their vacation budget into their home, landscape, and outdoor spaces. While I may have meant that as a joke, it wasn't far from the truth, as few of our clients have told us.

Despite the challenges of finding supplies, manufacturers being shut down, wood prices skyrocketing, and material shortages, we had a lot of fun this year. We live to create. We enjoy the end result. We love seeing our clients live in their new space. We take pride knowing we had something to do with the memories they'll create enjoying the great outdoors. 

Here are the Easton Outdoors top 10 projects for 2020!

​Are you struggling with what to plant in your pond, pondless waterfall, or fountain? The right plants can take an ordinary water feature and make it simply extraordinary. They can take a basic water feature and turn it into an oasis!

The best part? The benefits of adding plants go beyond simple aesthetics. The right plants can keep your water crystal clear by absorbing excess nutrients in the water.

How is a koi pond actually installed in a yard? Here's a timelapse covering a half-day installation of an aquascape feature, including excavation, adding the liner and skimmer, and more. If you want the ultimate YouTube pond installation idea, look no farther!