Ortho's All about Building Waterfalls, Ponds, and Streams

I enjoyed this book; it fit my skill level which I would describe as intermediate. I have not had a pond, but I have kept a 110 gallon indoor aquarium for about twenty years. The information is laid out in an organized fashion with both color photos and b/w sketches. Describes pond design, layout, construction (with a few safety tips), plants, fish (but not detailed information for fish keeping), filters, maintenance and has many color photos.

Good book. Pictures are good and the descriptions and details from the creation of Ponds, Streams and Waterfalls is the most complete of all the books that I have purchased or read. It could do a little better job of describing how to integrate a Bog Garden with a Pond. I still have questions about that. Overall the best of the breed.

This book isnt overly long and filled with over the top water gardening items most people cant afford. The applications discussed a common and to the point. The contenet isnt bad for a beginning pond builder but you can gather most information from the book from websites online like pondmegastore or lilypons. Beginners & Novices go ahead.

This book is excellent for the price and with a handyman mentallity you might be able to figure our the blind spots yourself and commence your pond.

Not withstanding the other review, this book is not by hobbyists, but by two growers and specialists in the water gardening field (you know this from reading the bio on each author and I did a little research on each and the industry)! Charles Thomas is a third generation hybridizer and nursery grower and Richard Koogle has over 20 years in the installation, construction and growing business.The pictures and detailed descriptions are very helpful, particularly for a novice installer, such as myself. There are great ideas for water features and solutions for building issues.Also, good information on basic pond care and stocking. A note about Parrot's Feather: used in contained, ornamental water gardens it is a beautiful and functional addition! It helps keep water clear, baby fish love to hide in it and it has a nice, surface growth habit that I love! I didn't see anywhere in the book a mention to toss it into a natural lake, waterway or any other place that would cause it to be a problem. The only things I would like to see more of in this book (hence 4 stars), are more detailed plant and maintenance information. However, it's all about BUILDING... so, I knew this going in. The basic info. is still helpful.