Nov 10th 2026
Two Ponds. Two Filtration Systems. One Seamless Backyard Waterscape.
What if you could add a natural swimming pond to your backyard without giving up the koi pond you already love?
For this project, Fitz’s Fish Ponds expanded an existing backyard waterscape by constructing a new 40' × 20' recreational swim pond alongside the homeowner's existing koi pond.
Rather than transforming or replacing the original pond, the design preserved it and introduced an entirely separate recreational water feature. From above, the two ponds appear to flow together through a shared waterfall and surrounding rockwork. In reality, the waterfall cleverly divides the two systems, allowing each pond to operate independently.
The result is the best of both worlds: a dedicated koi pond engineered to support fish health and biological load, and a separate natural swim pond with its own high-capacity filtration system designed to keep water clean and crystal-clear for swimming and recreation.
The goal wasn't to replace the homeowner's existing pond; it was to build upon it.
The original koi pond remained in place while the Fitz’s Fish Ponds construction team excavated and graded an adjacent area for the new approximately 40' × 20' recreational swim pond.
Different elevations were incorporated throughout the new pond, including shallower areas for wading and relaxing and a deeper section designed for active swimming. Large natural boulders define the transitions between these areas while helping the new pond blend seamlessly into the established landscape.
Instead of feeling like a swimming pool that was added beside a pond, the completed project reads as one expansive, naturally inspired aquatic environment.
One of the most distinctive elements of this project is difficult to recognize at first glance.
The koi pond and recreational swim pond look connected — but they aren't.
The existing koi pond sits behind the new swimming pond, with waterfalls, boulders, plantings, and elevation changes visually connecting the two features. The waterfall between them creates the illusion that water flows from the koi pond directly into the swim pond.
Behind that natural appearance is a carefully designed separation between the two bodies of water.
This allows the koi pond and swim pond to function as two completely independent aquatic systems, even though they appear visually as one continuous waterscape.
Keeping the two ponds hydraulically separate was especially important because they serve very different purposes.
The existing koi pond requires filtration capable of handling the biological demands and waste load of keeping koi. Its filtration system can therefore focus on maintaining the water quality and environment the fish need.
The new recreational pond operates on an entirely separate filtration system engineered specifically for the swim pond.
This separation prevents the additional organic and biological load associated with the koi from entering the swimming system while allowing the recreational pond's equipment to focus on maintaining exceptional water clarity.
For the homeowner, that means enjoying the beauty and experience of a dedicated koi pond while having a second body of clear, inviting water ready for swimming just steps away.
A 40' × 20' natural swimming pond requires significantly more than basic pond circulation.
Much of the filtration equipment was installed remotely, keeping pumps, filtration, and UV equipment away from the primary recreational area while still providing convenient access for servicing and maintenance.
The overall project includes PS7000, PS15000, and PS3900 skimmers; BF2600 and BF1900 BioFalls; a TT6000; two 36-inch K1 filtration units; 55-watt and dual 110-watt UV clarification; and 1/2 HP and 3/4 HP external pumps.
Together, the filtration and circulation equipment supports the two independent water features while allowing the finished landscape to maintain its natural appearance.
The new swim pond was designed to provide an entirely different experience from a conventional backyard pool.
Natural boulder coping surrounds the water rather than traditional pool decking. Large stone slabs and gravel create an organic underwater environment, while varying depths provide spaces for both wading and swimming.
From water level, the surrounding mature trees, Japanese maples, evergreens, waterfalls and natural stone make the swim pond feel less like a constructed pool and more like swimming in a secluded natural spring.
And because the new feature was designed around the property's existing koi pond and mature landscaping, it feels like an extension of the environment rather than an addition placed on top of it.
What makes this project especially unique isn't simply the size of the new recreational pond. It's the relationship between the two water features.
The homeowner didn't have to choose between maintaining a koi pond and creating a place to swim.
Instead, Fitz’s Fish Ponds designed two specialized aquatic environments within one cohesive landscape: an established koi pond supported by fish-focused filtration, and a 40' × 20' recreational pond supported by a separate system dedicated to maintaining clear swimming water.
The waterfall and surrounding stonework visually bring everything together while quietly maintaining the separation required beneath the surface.
Two ponds. Two independent systems. One completely integrated backyard retreat.
Whether you want to add a recreational swim pond, preserve and enhance an existing koi pond, or design a completely custom waterscape from the ground up, Fitz’s Fish Ponds can help bring the entire vision together.
Our team designs and builds natural water features around the way you want to use your outdoor space, with thoughtful planning for circulation, filtration, aesthetics, and long-term performance.
Ready to explore what’s possible for your property? Contact Fitz’s Fish Ponds today at (908) 420-9908 to schedule a consultation and start planning your custom pond or recreational waterscape.
| Hours | |
|---|---|
| sunday | 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM |
| monday | Closed |
| tuesday | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| wednesday | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| thursday | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| friday | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| saturday | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Hours | |
|---|---|
| sunday | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| monday | Closed |
| tuesday | 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
| wednesday | 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
| thursday | 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
| friday | 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
| saturday | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Hours | |
|---|---|
| sunday | 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM |
| monday | Closed |
| tuesday | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| wednesday | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| thursday | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| friday | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| saturday | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Hours | |
|---|---|
| sunday | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| monday | Closed |
| tuesday | 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
| wednesday | 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
| thursday | 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
| friday | 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
| saturday | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Hours | |
|---|---|
| sunday | Closed |
| monday | 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM |
| tuesday | 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM |
| wednesday | 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM |
| thursday | 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM |
| friday | 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM |
| saturday | Closed |
| Hours | |
|---|---|
| sunday | 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM |
| monday | Closed |
| tuesday | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| wednesday | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| thursday | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| friday | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| saturday | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Hours | |
|---|---|
| sunday | Closed |
| monday | Closed |
| tuesday | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| wednesday | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| thursday | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| friday | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| saturday | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Hours | |
|---|---|
| Sunday | Closed |
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Thursday | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Friday | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Saturday | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Hours | |
|---|---|
| Sunday | 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM |
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Thursday | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Friday | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Saturday | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
