This is a question that comes up a lot. And if you ask 5 different realtors their opinion on how water features affect property values, you'll get 5 different answers.
​First and foremost, if you're doing a home improvement, it should add to YOUR enjoyment and YOUR quality of life. So, would YOU enjoy a well-built easy-to-maintain living water feature?
​Here's our take on the subject of how Phoenix property values might be affected by a pond or water feature:

​Did you know that 45% of Americans make New Year’s resolutions, but only about 8% of them actually keep their resolutions? So, no pressure, but we thought we might give you a bit of inspiration, in case you're having difficulty coming up with your own.

​Here are 5 resolutions for you to consider making this year that are sure to improve your pondering experience!

​When you want to enjoy your water feature as the sun begins to set, outdoor lighting is a must. And here in Phoenix, nighttime is about the only time we can be outside in the summer! Most people think to add landscape lighting around a deck or patio or pathway, but neglect the water feature for optimal nighttime viewing. Here are some pretty backyard lighting ideas for your pond, waterfall, or fountain.
​

No matter what type of water feature you have, you can enhance its beauty well into the evening hours with the addition of pond and garden lighting.
​

Ecosystem ponds can be gorgeous and low maintenance. They provide hours of pleasure, while requiring only minutes per week of care. But they have their drawbacks and they’re not for everyone.
​
Here are the 5 biggest drawbacks to having an ecosystem pond that we hear about:

1. The very biggest drawback is that they require patience. Patience to allow the plants to mature. Patience to get the fish friendly enough to eat out of your hand. Patience to get the water “chemistry” balanced. Just lots of patience sometimes. You know how God created the world in 7 days? Yeah, not so much with ecosystem ponds. However, anyone who has persevered through the process will tell you that they’re sure glad they did! But if you’re not a patient person, and you’re looking for instant gratification, an ecosystem pond is not for you.
2. Another drawback is the type of maintenance that an ecosystem pond requires. It’s not just tossing in a chlorine tablet, skimming the surface, and calling it Bueno. During the summer months, when the aquatic plants are growing most aggressively, you have to garden it. You have to trim off dead leaves. You have to divide the plants when they get too big. Basically, you have to make sure that the plants don’t eat the pond. And you have to empty the skimmer basket about once in a while, and give it a quick rinse. If you ignore an ecosystem pond for too long, it can become a big ol’ mess. There are pond maintenance programs provided by reputable companies, though, to help you out.
3. You gotta have fish. An ecosystem pond is not complete without fish. That can be either Koi or goldish, or in some cases game fish. The fish are part of the nitrogen cycle required to keep an ecosystem pond balanced. You don’t have to feed the fish if you don’t want to. But now that they’re there, you probably will. And you’ll probably name them. And you’ll probably now spend a few hours sitting by the pond watching them. That’s going to take time away from some other hobby or TV show, probably. Darn it!
4. If you build it, they will come. Wildlife is naturally attracted to water, and if you have organic water in your yard, they will come in droves! If you’re not looking to attract native and migratory bird life, bunnies, quail, and lizards, don’t get an ecosystem pond. If you dislike the idea of looking out your window and seeing some kind of wildlife in your yard (maybe even the occasional bobcat or coyote), then an ecosystem pond will pose a real problem for you.
5. Algae is a given and, again, part of the ecosystem in some ways. Once the pond matures, the algae production will be greatly reduced. But until then, you may have to fight algae. A natural green fuzz on the rocks is completely normal, and actually helps filter the water to keep it crystal clear. But string (filamentatious) algae can become unsightly for some people. During the “winter” months here in Phoenix, we tend to get an algae bloom instead of freezing over. And in the spring, algae is sometimes the first weed in the garden. There are natural products to combat algae, and it makes great compost, if you’re into that sort of thing. But, again, you will have some algae, so if that thought completely wigs you out, or if you prefer a more sterile outdoor environment, an ecosystem pond is probably not for you.

All that being said, we think ecosystem ponds are worth it!

​If you don’t have the means, or the time, to travel the world, why not bring the world to you? An ecosystem water feature can mimic just about any zone in the world! So, where would you like to go?

​How about a desert riparian zone:

​Or maybe a Mediterranean feel:

​How about a tropical paradise:

​Rain forest, anyone:

​Or perhaps a beach home:

Or maybe just a lake house:

Bio-mimicry. Yeah, we can do that!