Pond Lighting

While most ponds try to imitate nature by utilizing as little technology as possible, there is no harm in adding lighting to your pond. Most ponds are beautiful enough as they are. Lighting simply allows that beauty to shine even through the night. And best of all, lighting is a matter of style. Lights don’t really affect the health of your plants and fish so feel free to choose whichever light suit your tastes.

You have several options when building a pond lighting system. There are under-water spot lights, fountain lights, floating lights and even fiber-optic lighting systems that are readily available in stores. Lights can be used to highlight the shape of your pond and even illuminate your aquatic plant and animal life. You might also place lighting around the path or perimeter of your pond to make it safe for the people who come to enjoy it.

You can even use lighting in creative ways such as tinting the water. Colored spotlights can turn your water from plain clear to a peaceful blue and to a natural soft green. Floating lights can give your pond a mysterious mood while a well placed bulb can turn the jet of an outdoor water fountain into a shining spray of light. The possibilities are limited only by your imagination!

Proper Installation

Just like your house lights, you’ll need to install wiring wherever your pond lights will be located. Whether underwater or external, pond lights are low voltage as a safety precaution. Be ready to purchase a step-down transformer, as well as water proof cables and connectors. Ensure that your lights are properly grounded, especially with underwater lights. In your pond building plan, make your lighting so that if ever the circuit fails, the rest of the ponds functions are unaffected. And finally, a word to the wise, turn the electricity off when you clean or replace the lights.