How to Arrange Lights in a Pond
A pretty, peaceful pond creates a wonderful setting for a summer afternoon nap or catching up on reading, and provides an attractive shelter for fancy fish. With some creatively placed lighting, it can also be a beautiful evening landscape. Floating solar lights, submerged lights or lighted sprays or fountains can all add to the versatility of any pond. It's easy to add attractive, dramatic accents to ponds and water features in the landscape, and if solar-powered fixtures are used, it's economical and energy-efficient. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Floating solar pond lights
- Floating lighted pond fountain, electric or solar
- Underwater pond light with transformer and electricity source
Instructions
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Float solar lights on the pond surface for a gently moving light display that needs no electrical connection, timers, or switches. Floating lights can be left to move freely or they can be anchored with a line and a weight to keep them in one place. Using floating solar lights illuminates the surface of the water at night with just the power of the sun. Clear or colored floating lights are available in many shapes and sizes, some in the shape of water lilies or other aquatic plants. If using lights shaped like or attached to artificial plants, group the lighted plants together in the middle of the pond, or around a feature of the pond to highlight it, such as an attractive rock or boulder, a beautiful planting of unusual aquatic plants, or a sculpture.
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Place a floating lighted fountain in the center or deepest part of the pond for the double benefit of a light show with aeration. Fountains can give a variety of spray and light shows, come with control panels, timers, and cords, and will need an electric source and an anchor. Solar floating lighted fountains are a bit more expensive but worth the time-saving installation effort that is saved, as well as the electricity.
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Install underwater pond lights around the edge of the pond just under the water for a more dramatic effect. Space lights one to three feet apart, depending on how much light is desired. Underwater lights require a fixture for the light, and a cable, plus a transformer and something to anchor the light in the pond, usually a cement weight or a stake secured well into the earth. An outdoor GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) receptacle will also be needed to plug in the underwater light cable. Mount an electric box to a post near the pond for easier accessibility, and encase the GFCI receptacle with a waterproof cover to be able to keep the light plugged in.
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Once the pond lights have been placed, simple maintenance will keep the pond well-lit all season long. Replace broken bulbs, check any non-functioning parts and clear the fountain of any clogs to keep equipment working properly. Check lights and fountains after heavy rainstorms for displacement.
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Tips & Warnings
Using solar-powered fixtures is great for the environment and won't cost a dime in electricity. Before final placement of any lights, walk around the pond at night to see the darkest and lightest areas. Before placing and connecting any lights, test them out one night before away from the water to ensure they all work.
Caution and all necessary safety measures should be followed with any electrical installation. Professional service should be used where required.
