About This Service
Pond Build and Maintenance
A well-built pond changes a garden completely. The sound of moving water, the colour of koi working their way through clear water, the way the whole space feels different when there is something living in it. But a pond that is not properly maintained does the opposite. Green water, sludge on the bottom, fish under stress. It becomes something you avoid looking at rather than something you enjoy. AquariumCraft builds and maintains garden ponds for homes across North West London. Whether you want a new pond designed and built from scratch, or an existing one cleaned and brought back to good condition, we handle the full job. We work with all kinds of garden ponds. Wildlife ponds, formal koi ponds, raised ponds, natural looking informal ponds with planting shelves and bog areas. Each one is different and we treat it accordingly. If your pond has been neglected and you do not know where to start, or you want a new one built and you want it done properly the first time, get in touch. We cover Harrow, Barnet, Wembley, Finchley, Stanmore, Brent, Pinner and the wider North West London area.
What Is Included on Every Visit
Site visit and pond assessment before any work begins
New pond design including size, depth, shape and filtration planning
Full pond build including excavation, liner fitting, edging and equipment installation
Pump, filter and UV clarifier installation and commissioning
Waterfall and water feature construction where required
Full pond clean including draining, sludge removal and pressure washing of the liner
Filter media cleaning or replacement
Pump inspection, cleaning and flow rate check
UV clarifier bulb replacement and sleeve cleaning
Water parameter testing covering pH, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and KH
Water change and dechlorination treatment
Fish health check during cleaning visits
Who This Service Is For
This service works well for a wide range of fish keepers across North West London.
New Pond Builders
You have the garden space and you want it done properly the first time. We carry out the full build including excavation, liner, filtration, edging and commissioning.
Neglected Pond Owners
The pond has been left for a season or more. Green water, sludge on the bottom, a filter that has given up. We have brought ponds back from worse.
Koi Keepers
Koi are sensitive to poor water quality and produce significant waste. Regular professional maintenance keeps the water stable and the fish healthy.
New Property Owners
Moved into a property with an existing pond and not sure of its condition. We assess the setup, tell you honestly what you have got and advise on what it needs.
How It Works
Site Visit and Consultation
For a new pond build we start with a site visit. We look at the garden, talk through what you want to achieve and discuss size, position, depth, filtration and any features you have in mind such as a waterfall or planting areas. We then provide a written quote for the full build.
Build or First Maintenance Assessment
For new builds we carry out the excavation, fit the liner, install all equipment and commission the system before we leave. For maintenance, the first visit involves a full assessment of the pond. We check the water quality, inspect the filter, pump and UV clarifier and look at the fish.
Cycling and Stocking for New Builds
We advise you fully on the cycling process before introducing any fish. We test the water and confirm conditions are stable before livestock goes in. For existing ponds requiring maintenance, we agree a schedule based on the size of the pond, the stocking level and how quickly waste accumulates.
Ongoing Maintenance With Written Records
On every maintenance visit we carry out the full service and leave you with a written summary of what was done and what the water parameters were. Most garden ponds benefit from a clean once or twice a year, usually in spring and autumn, with periodic filter and pump checks through the season.
Transparent Pricing
Simple, Fixed Pricing. No Hidden Charges.
Pond maintenance visits start from £75 for smaller garden ponds. Full pond cleans, which involve draining and thorough cleaning of the liner and equipment, are priced based on the size of the pond and the amount of sludge and debris involved. New pond builds are quoted individually based on size, design, ground conditions and the equipment specified. We provide a full written quote after the site visit with no obligation. There are no hidden charges. The price we quote is the price you pay.
Get Your FREE QuoteFrom
£75
Per Visit
No call-out fees
No hidden charges
Discount for regular scheduled visits
Larger tanks and marine systems quoted individually
Fixed price agreed before every visit
Frequently Asked Questions
How often does a garden pond need professional maintenance?
Most garden ponds benefit from a full clean once or twice a year, with spring being the most important time. After winter, sludge has built up on the bottom, the filter needs restarting properly and the water quality needs checking before fish become more active in the warmer months. Through the summer, periodic filter and pump checks keep everything running well. Koi ponds and heavily stocked ponds need more regular attention because the fish produce more waste relative to the water volume.
Can you build a pond in a small garden?
Yes. Some of the most attractive ponds are in relatively small spaces. A raised pond can work well in a compact garden, takes up a defined footprint and can be built at a height that makes it easier to view the fish and carry out maintenance. We assess the space during the site visit and suggest what will work well for the size and shape of your garden rather than trying to fit a standard design into a space that does not suit it.
My pond water has gone green. Can you fix it?
Green water is caused by a bloom of single-celled algae, usually triggered by excess nutrients in the water, too much sunlight or an undersized or poorly maintained filter. It is a very common problem and in most cases it is fixable. We test the water to find the underlying cause, carry out a clean if needed and advise on the right combination of filter upgrades, UV clarifier use and ongoing maintenance to keep the water clear. Treating the symptom without addressing the cause means it comes back, so we always look at the whole system.
Do you work with koi ponds specifically?
Yes. Koi ponds have higher demands than standard garden ponds because koi grow large, produce significant waste and are sensitive to poor water quality. We carry out koi pond cleaning and maintenance visits, check water parameters carefully on every visit and look closely at the fish during each appointment. If a koi is showing signs of stress or illness we will advise on the appropriate response. We work with dedicated koi filtration systems including multi-chamber filter units and bottom drains.
What happens to the fish during a full pond clean?
Before we drain the pond we set up a suitable holding vessel with pond water and an aerator to keep the fish safe while the work is carried out. Fish are moved carefully using appropriate nets and handled as little as possible. We work as quickly as is practical to minimise the time fish spend out of the pond. Once the clean is complete and the pond is refilled and dechlorinated, we monitor the water temperature and conditions before returning the fish.