Three of the most popular water features we install on Long Island look similar from the outside but serve very different purposes. Before we design anything, Scott sits down with you to understand how you use your yard, who uses it, and what kind of relationship you want with your water feature. This guide lays out the honest differences.
| Ecosystem Pond | Koi Pond | Pondless Waterfall | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Cost | $9,000+ | $10,000+ | $6,000+ |
| Maintenance Level | Low — self-balancing ecosystem | Medium — fish require attention | Very Low |
| Fish-Friendly | Yes — goldfish & koi | Yes — optimized for koi | No standing water |
| Space Required | Medium — 7×9 ft minimum | Larger — 11×16 ft recommended | Small — fits tight spaces |
| Child Safe | Use caution | Use caution | Yes — no open water |
| Best For | Natural look, wildlife habitat, casual fish | Serious koi collectors, hobbyists | Sound & beauty, minimal upkeep |
An ecosystem pond is designed to function as a self-sustaining miniature environment. Biological filtration (a biofalls filter and skimmer), aquatic plants, fish, and beneficial bacteria work together to keep the water naturally balanced — with very little intervention from you. This is the type of pond we install most often on Long Island because it delivers the full visual impact of a natural pond at the lowest ongoing maintenance burden.
Ecosystem ponds support goldfish and koi, attract wildlife, and can include waterfalls, streams, and planting shelves. They're designed to look like they belong in a Long Island backyard — not like a hole in the ground with a liner.
Starting at $9,000. See our detailed pricing guide for size breakdowns.
A dedicated koi pond is optimized specifically for keeping large, high-value koi. Compared to a standard ecosystem pond, a koi pond typically has a higher water volume (deeper with more square footage), more aggressive filtration, and is designed with fewer aquatic plants — because koi will eat most plants and their bioload is heavier than goldfish.
If you're a serious koi hobbyist who wants to collect premium fish, a purpose-built koi pond is the right choice. If you just want fish in your pond as part of the landscape experience, an ecosystem pond with koi does the job beautifully and costs less to build and maintain.
Long Island's Zone 7 climate means koi can overwinter outdoors safely if the pond is at least 18–24 inches deep. Learn more in our Zone 7 winterization guide.
Starting at $10,000.
A pondless waterfall delivers all the sensory experience of a water feature — the sound of moving water, the visual drama of cascading falls, the natural stone composition — without any exposed standing water. Water circulates from a hidden underground basin up through the waterfall and back down, continuously.
Pondless waterfalls are the ideal choice for families with young children, homeowners with smaller yards, or anyone who wants low-maintenance pond Long Island can offer. There are no fish to feed, no pond to balance, and in most cases the system can simply be shut off for winter.
We install pondless waterfalls from compact 3-foot patio features to dramatic 18-foot multi-tiered installations. Starting at $6,000. See pondless waterfall details.
Schedule a free on-site consultation — Scott will walk your property and recommend the right fit for your yard, budget, and lifestyle.