The tri-state area's premier ProPond Distributor for Aquascape. Our store features outdoor and indoor pond displays, and friendly, trained, staff to help you make the best selections. We pride ourselves in having what you need to complete your water feature on time.

Our store is open 6 days a week from 7:30 am to 5 pm, and Saturdays from 8 am to 3 pm. We are located at 26 S. Jefferson Davis between Raleigh and Southern Pines, NC. Our phone number is 919-776-3011. We can also be reached on the web at tramwaystone@aol.com.

Fountainscapes

Fountainscapes are small decorative water features such as tabletop fountains, container water gardens, stand-alone fountains, bubbling urns, spitters, and fountains that incorporate an in-ground reservoir.

Container Water Gardens
If you're interested in "testing the waters" of the water gardening hobby, a container water garden is a great place to start! They are generally used to add the sound of water to a deck or patio, but they also look great greeting visitors by the front door. But they don't just add beauty, they also give kids a fun way to learn about nature, and make a great starter "pond" for any young children interested in water.

A container water garden can be created using virtually any type of container ... as long as it has the ability to hold water. An old clawfoot tub, a galvanized bucket, your favorite terra cotta pot, or an old whiskey barrel all make great containers for your new water garden! Once you've chosen the container, you need to make sure it will hold water. Any un-glazed pottery will need to be sealed and drain holes will need to be plugged. A wooden container such as a whiskey barrel can be lined with a piece of rubber liner that is affixed to the rim. Make sure the sealant you use safe for plants and fish.  

A container water garden wouldn't be a garden without out the plants. When planting a container water garden, the same principals apply as with a regular container garden. A balance of plants that are different shapes and sizes means you'll have a planter that is pleasing to the eye. Or, highlighting just one special plant, such as a lotus plant if you have a large container, or a single, pigmy water lily if you have a smaller container, makes a striking garden and a much simpler approach.

If you add fish to your container water garden, consider the water volume of the container. The water in smaller containers goes through extreme temperature changes, which has a negative effect on most fish. Mosquito fish however, can tolerate warm water quite well. If your container holds more than 20 gallons of water you can add any type of goldfish.

Since mosquitoes will lay eggs in stagnant water, you'll need a small 75 gph statuary pump fitted with a spitter or fountain head to keep them away from your container water garden. If you don't want a fountain effect, you can position the pump discharge just under the surface of the water to create water movement.

Maintenance is easy! To keep the pump operating properly and the plants submerged at the correct level, you'll need to occasionally add water to make up for evaporation. Now that you're enjoying your container water garden, be careful. Once the water gardening bites you, there's no going back! Next, you'll be reading how to build your own in-ground pond.

Standalone Fountains
Standalone Fountains are gaining popularity due to their ease of set-up and maintenance.  Found at garden centers and home improvement stores across America, a wide range of styles and finishes are available to fit everyone's taste and budget.  From impressive brass to simple resin fountains, these features are made to "stand alone," meaning they don't need any counterparts to make them function.  Much like a tabletop fountain, all you need to do is add water, plug it in, and enjoy.  Some larger units may require a bit of simple assembly.  

Once you find a fountain that fits your style and budget, all you need to do is find the perfect location for it.  You can place it in the foyer of your home to greet guests, or set it outside on the back deck to enjoy during a cool summer evening.  Tuck one near a garden path or by the front entrance of your home.  You'll soon find you want more than just one fountain to grace your landscape.  The sound of water draws visitors into your garden and provides a place for the eyes to rest while enjoying the outdoor spaces. 

Bubbling Urns and Spitters
These larger water features are typically set atop an underground reservoir that keeps re-circulating the water.  Once the urn fills with water, the water spills out and over into the underground basin, which pumps the water back up through the urn.  If a spitter or decorative fountain is more to your liking, you can still set it on the reservoir and a pipe will transfer the water from the basin up through the center of the spitter or fountain. 

Aquascape provides an extra large reservoir called the AquaBasin™.  The AquaBasin supports up to 2,000 pounds and holds 75 gallons of water.  Large basalt columns can be set atop the basin for a truly impressive decorative water feature in the landscape.  For a more formal look, try an impressive brass sculpture.

The AquaBasin™ can easily be installed within just a few hours if you like to tackle home projects on your own, or you can hire a Certified Aquascape Contractor to do the job for you.  Aquascape provides a wide variety of decorative pieces that can be used in conjunction with the AquaBasin™, from ceramic urns to brass sculptures to carved stone structures.  What's more, Aquascape adds new decorative options each year, so there's always something fresh and new to add to your landscape.

Pondless® Waterfalls

Pondless® Waterfalls are simply a re-circulating waterfall and/or stream without the presence of a pond.  You can enjoy the sight and sound of running water without the maintenance of a pond.

The waterfall is undoubtedly the most beautiful and favored feature in a water garden. If space is lacking in your yard or you have safety concerns with a pond, go Pondless®! The name basically explains it all. It’s a waterfall and stream, without the pond. So why would you want a waterfall without a pond? The truth is that a Pondless® Waterfall isn’t for everyone, but it can be a great alternative for someone who isn’t quite sure if a pond is right for their family.

Safety
Because there is no pool of water, a Pondless® Waterfall is a great option if you are concerned about safety issues associated with a traditional pond.

Cost
Cost can be a big factor when considering the type of pond you want to build. In most cases, the price of a Pondless® waterfall will be less than a pond, because there is less labor involved, as well as less rock and materials. Operating costs are also less. Because you’re not dealing with an established ecosystem, it’s not necessary to run the pump 24/7.

Space
The small size of the Pondless® Waterfall means you can build and enjoy a beautiful waterfall anywhere in you yard.
Maintenance - Taking care of your Pondless® Waterfall is easy. Filling the reservoir every few weeks to compensate for water loss because of evaporation is all that’s required.

Flexibility
Perhaps the best part of the Pondless® Waterfall is the possibility for the future. If you change your mind later, wishing you’d build a pond, that’s ok! If you leave enough room around the base of the waterfall, it’s easy to add a pond onto a Pondless® Waterfall.

Complete System
It might be difficult to imagine a waterfall and stream without a pond. Where does the water go? A Pondless® Waterfall works much like a regular pond. The hole, deeper than a normal pond, is dug then lined with rock and gravel, and filled with water. The water is then circulated from beneath the rocks and gravel by a pump that sits on the bottom, inside a Snorkel™ Vault and Centipede™ Module. A pipe runs from there up to a BioFalls™ Filter and into an overflowing waterfall, where it falls back into the reservoir. Since the water level never pools above the level of the rock and gravel fill, it give the appearance of a waterfall without a pond, when in fact, the “pond” is there but not visible.

The Pondless® Waterfall has made many water-lovers who were previously unable to indulge in the sweet sounds of falling water, very happy. It’s a great alternative for those who are trying to get their feet wet, or looking to fit a little bit of paradise into their own backyard. In other words, when all else fails … go Pondless®!

Click here to watch a video on the installation of a Pondless® Waterfall system.

Ecosystem Ponds
Ecosystem ponds can be easy to understand if you have a good grasp of what components go into a basic, functioning ecosystem. An ecosystem pond works with Mother Nature to provide food, shelter, and safety to the wildlife around it. It also provides you with an all-natural, low-maintenance piece of paradise. It’s important to remember, however, that every piece of the ecosystem puzzle must be present in order for a true ecosystem to be in place. Eliminate one of these elements and you’ve got an unbalanced ecosystem that won’t be so low-maintenance anymore. Check out the things you’ll need to get your ecosystem pond fired up:

Circulation System is really just a fancy way of saying “pumps and plumbing.” The proper size pump and pipe diameter are extremely important for the aesthetics of a water feature. More importantly, an efficient circulation system keeps the water moving and provides the necessary oxygen levels for healthy fish and plants.

Proper Filtration System includes the use of both a biological and a mechanical filter. A biological filter provides surface area for beneficial bacteria to colonize and remove excess nutrients from the water. A mechanical filter will not only pre-filter the water and house the pump; it will also skim debris from the water’s surface to prevent the accumulation of organic materials on the pond floor.

Fish are an integral part of any ecosystem. Unfortunately, fish are often seen as creating a maintenance nightmare. Contrary to popular belief, fish will actually reduce pond maintenance, as they graze on string algae and bottom feed from the pond floor.

Aquatic Plants are Mother Nature’s true filters. Plants are great for adding character to a pond by providing color and texture, but from a filtration perspective, they’re second to none. Thriving from the excess nutrients in a pond and depriving algae of its food source, the aquatic plants in a water garden, given proper coverage, are critical for the overall health of the ecosystem.

Rocks, Gravel, and Bacteria have been a controversial element in the hobby for many years. Many enthusiasts have steered away from rocks and gravel out of fear that their system will become a maintenance nightmare. On the contrary, rocks and gravel will not only make your pond look more natural, they will also protect pond liners from UV light degradation and they provide tremendous surface area for beneficial bacteria to break down excess nutrients in the water and dissolved organic debris on the pond floor.

Having all these things in place makes all the difference in the health and success of your water garden. Use them and work with Mother Nature, not against her, for a chemical-free wonderland of water! The truth is that most people opt for the ecosystem way of water gardening because it’s easier and it just makes sense. A low-maintenance ecosystem pond provides you with more free time to enjoy friends and family … while gathered around your pond, of course!

Click here to view the installation of an Ecosystem Pond using our professional grade AquascapePRO™ product.

 

If you’re a do-it-yourselfer, you can find Aquascape pond kits at Tramway Stone & Mulch.  Our kits come complete with easy-to-understand installation instructions … just 20 steps to follow before you’ll be enjoying your backyard paradise.  Aquascape pond kits also include a Pond Owner’s Manual to help you enjoy your watery wonderland for many years to come.

Advanced Ponds can take the form of a Pondless® Waterfall or Ecosystem Pond.  These large water features are often found in commercial applications such as an office complex, a residential subdivision, shopping center, and more.  A few water-loving homeowners have advanced ponds installed on their property where space and budget allow.  These projects are best left to a professional.

 

An escape from reality, water is the most popular destination point to help free you from the daily grind.  People flock to the coasts, plan fishing trips months in advance, and talk about their upcoming cruise on a daily basis.  And those activities are over before you even know it!  If space allows, why not consider adding a larger water feature to your landscape for a true water-front home site?  

• Create your own dock and reconnect with your family – every evening.  Whether you dangle your feet off the dock or take an afternoon dip in your swimming pond, you’ll be sure to enjoy many fun-filled hours or family togetherness.

• Create a wildlife habitat that will help compensate for the record-breaking habitat loss happening throughout the world.

• Add twists and turns of natural-looking streams and waterfalls throughout your landscape, all ending up in a breathtaking pond near your patio.  You’ll want to explore all the nuances of your wandering water feature each day, where you’ll discover new creatures and small treasures to enjoy for a lifetime.

• Enjoy the educational opportunities presented to your family simply from having a larger water feature.  Discover baby turtles nestled by your pond’s edge on a warm spring day.  Explore a wide variety of feathered friends attracted by the cool splash of water.  Watch a dragonfly circle ‘round and ‘round the pond before lighting on a sun-baked rock.  Revel in the delight of seeing nature through the eyes of your children as they experience the joys of Mother Nature firsthand in their own backyard.  

Besides residential applications, more and more water features are being added to golf courses, hotels and resorts, zoos and parks, and new residential developments.  Water is the Earth’s most vital resource and people are naturally drawn to the soothing sights and sounds it affords.