Pond lighting allows you to enjoy your pond whenever you like, night or day. With a little thought, you can design pond lighting to enhance the appearance of your pond as well as creating dramatic looking focal points. There are many lighting options available, read on to learn more about them.
Pond Downlighting Options
Pond downlighting offers a diffused natural looking light with a very desirable natural appearance. If you are fortunate enough to have older trees surrounding the pond, installing lights in the branches can give a moonlighting style effect with the additional advantage of showcasing the surrounding landscape. Another bonus is the shadows created that can cast onto the pond from the canopy of the trees. Far easier to maintain than submersible pond lights, downlights are less hassle and greater value for money.
Submersible Pond Lights
Submersible pond lights make the water sparkle, as the light shines up through the water. Making them perfect for ponds with a wide waterfall, or a waterfall with multiple tiers, where lights need to be positioned into tight positions and into the nooks and crannies. However, even the best underwater lights can take in water, which causes damage. Moss and algae can grow over the lenses, obscuring the light. Underwater lights tend to show all of the algae, dirt and leaves floating in the pond. One more reason to keep your pond as clean as possible.
Uplighting
We prefer to use directional uplights, also known as bullet lights, above the water but close to the pond’s edge. Capable of being pointed in any direction, to cast light on the pond’s surface, to highlight foliage at the pond’s edge or to direct light toward a waterfall. Aiming light at the waterfall in this way hits the surface of the pond catches the air bubbles, and highlights the movement. Bullet lights are great for this. Because these lights aren’t in the water, they hold up better over time than submersible lights.
Overlighting
A water feature needs to be built like Mother Nature actually showed up. Don’t install a pond in your front yard with a huge elevation as that would not occur naturally. Similarly with lighting. It should look like nature is lighting it. Does the moon blast your pond with so much light you could thread a needle out there? Subtle highlights are more effective than harsh spotlights. You want to play up the best qualities of your pond, not highlight every single detail.
Mistakes To Avoid
- Creating Glare: Glare is always a big concern when lighting a pond. It’s important to position the fixtures so the light doesn’t hit you in the eye.
You also want to avoid the glare of “hot spots” that come from using a single lighting source. - Ignoring Clarity: If your pond is murky, submersible pond lights aren’t the best choice. A clear, well-maintained pond will sparkle in the light.
The Backyard Pond, LLC offers water and pond design and installation services throughout the Phoenix Valley.
Contact us today at 623-878-6695 and visit our water feature and pond design installation services page.