Expert Custom Water Features in Maryland & Virginia
How we build
Building water features
How Aquatic Artisans Inc. builds/engineers their water features
NO one-trick pony here!
At Aquatic Artisans Inc., the way we build custom water features is rooted in decades of hands-on experience and a clear understanding of how water systems function over time. Successful water feature installation is not just about appearance – it requires careful planning, proper hydraulics, sound construction practices, and an appreciation for how water, stone, and living systems interact. Every project we take on is approached with this balance in mind, allowing us to create water features that are both visually engaging and mechanically reliable.
We serve residential and commercial clients throughout Maryland And Virginia, including Severna Park, Chevy Chase, Bethesda, Potomac, Frederick, Bowie, Annapolis, Crownsville, Timonium, Towson, Randallstown, McLean, Great Falls, Tysons Corner, Vienna, Herndon, Reston, Oakton, Merrifield, Falls Church, Chester Brooke, Langley, Fairfax, Annandale, Franconia, Hybla Valley, Fort Hunt, Mount Vernon, and Sterling.
Each location presents its own site conditions, environmental factors, and usage needs, and our process is designed to adapt accordingly. For example, sandy soil conditions near rivers and coastal areas require more robust walls and footings to support the weight of ornamental rocks and boulders, indoor water features require thermal breaks and a thorough knowledge and careful application of waterproof membranes to prevent condensation from damaging furnishings and the buildings’ structure. By focusing on proven construction methods and thoughtful sequencing, we are able to build custom water features that perform consistently, support healthy aquatic environments where applicable, and integrate naturally into their surroundings.
The steps outlined below reflect the process we have refined over more than 30 years, ensuring every water feature installation is built with long-term function, durability, and serviceability in mind.
#01
Koi pond small private courtyard.
Koi pond 14′ x 14′ x 4′ deep with blue stone patio and cast rock formations.
A cozy private courtyard setting is the perfect peaceful place to retreat after a hard days work.
#02
Interior waterfall grotto
This was a prototype made from several different pieces of rock castings cut to fit together combined with shaping and carving concrete to match. The structure is 6 feet on one wall 4 feet on the other and 7 feet tall to the top of the grotto with, an additional 12 inch tall piece to finish to the ceiling. Because of space constraints the lower basin was kept as small as possible. This unit is totally customizable as to where water emerges from. For example if you wanted, water could emerge from the flower basin directly in front or the basin on the right side or from the top of the grotto. A mold was made of this in 3 pieces. This could be installed in your home for 12 to 25,000 depending on filtration and size of basin. this unit did not have fish in it. this unit successfully ran for 15 years with no leaks whatsoever.
We offer this entire unit installed starting at $20,000 and offer the three-piece unit for you to install, with plumbing for $5500.
#03
Retractable sections with rollers on tracks.
The interior of the greenhouse measures 26 x 40. all panels are able to telescope into each other at one end leaving the entire structure open to all but 6 feet. The bottom pond is 15′ x 15 x 5′ deep the top pond 10 x 10 x 18″ deep. The pond created a retaining wall to reverse the grade of water flow through the front yard. The track that the sections role on is 6 feet above original ground-level. We designed the tunnel structure to match the double French doors to match the opening on the end wall. all designs / dimensions were drawn up by our pondgod and sent to the manufacturer and the structure was delivered by truck. First-time design install like all of these other projects. The 1st deck is 10 x 8 at the house and the deck directly behind is 16 x 26. All structures had to be squared with the house. Good thing we had practice building the dome home 24 years prior. we also added running water to a sink and a 60 amp electrical panel. All work done in house except, an electrician took our wire and put it in the house main panel.
#04
Swim/koi pond and upper lily pond
9000 gallon Koi pond with custom rock outcroppings.
This pond was originally built as a Koi pond but, the whole family swims in it with the fish. There is a combination of mechanical/biological filtration system with UV clarifier and it is heated. The main lower pond is 16 x 22 x 5′ deep. The top garden pond is 6 x 9 x 18″ deep. Only fish and people in the lower pond, less maintenance that way the coy who are carp will root in the plant containers. the bottom is smooth and tapered toward the bottom drain with, no gravel to hurt your feet or trap debris and bugs and stuff.
#05
2 level 36,000 gallon Koi pond.
This is a 2 level 36,000 gallon Koi pond with Boulder fountain in the center. The client wanted to breed koi with a separate area for the babies to develop in the top pond with its own separate filter system. Biological filter system is hidden to the left of the waterfall in the trees. The filter system consists of 3 Aquadyne filters, 3- 3/4 hp pumps, 2- 160w UV clarifiers and, 3 air-assisted bottom drains.
#06
Waterfall pond foundation rebuild
This pond was completely remodeled from the top waterfall to the spitting frog.
Note that the water level of the pond is higher than the patio. there is a mixture of cast rock and natural rock. CAN, you pick out the man-made boulders? The boulders bordering the patio are rock castings from natural boulders. the ends are cut to allow the water containment structure to pass through them. A crane was set up in the driveway reaching over the house to the back. By radio we communicated with the crane operator to lift each rock off to a staging area on the patio because, we need the space to work. after removing all the boulders we created a masonry foundation and, completely replaced the rubber liner. After the pond basin was rebuilt and secured on top of a proper foundation. We then had to crane come back to replace the rocks to this configuration. It’s quite tricky directing a crane operator that you don’t see to raise the boom lower the boom left or right all in reverse as to the way it needs to go. One slip, a 2000 pound rock would’ve gone through the house. That’s why you hire a licensed and fully insured contractor like Aquatic Artisans Inc. Yes our pondgod was a nervous wreck that day.