Meet the Long Island Pond Whisperer
Robert Riccardo is a professional pond builder who says he absolutely loves going to work. He has built thousands of ponds, waterfalls and gardens all over Nassau and Suffolk. He actually owns the title of building the most public displays in the country. “It all started with one gas station,” laughed Riccardo.
But truth be told it all started at age ten in his parents Long Island backyard when he designed and built his very first pond. When asked what he wanted to be as a little boy – he said it never occurred to him – the pond building started so soon in Riccardo’s life it’s as if the career chose him. “I come from a family of artists, some drawer or paint, some build ponds,” he explained.
He established his business Pond Paradise Designs Inc. in 2003.
“All of my water projects are a one of a kind creation with no two a like”, added the H20 aficionado.
He says the Paradise in the company names comes from what so many of his clients have said after his designs were finished. Over and over again he has heard the words, you have turned my backyard into a paradise.
FALL PREP FOR PONDS
With fall slamming into Long Island early this year, Riccardo says it’s imperative to get the required seasonal work done. “In the fall season, we perform a Fall Closing, this service requires the removal of a pump and the clipping down of any aquatic plants,” he explains. He said an aerator bubbler unit is placed on the side of the pond with a hose and an aerator stone placed in the pond. “This will prevent fish loss over the winter,” he added.
A supported leaf net will be installed to keep the leafs from dropping directly in the pond, which could affect the fish’s health. The fish go into hibernation and do not get fed over the winter months until the spring when water is above 55 degrees. A deicer unit is placed in the pond to keep a hole in the ice in the winter months. The deicer goes on when the water is 30 degrees and lower. The aerator and deicer work together, and are two required items to help the fish stay alive. Pond Netting is stretched over the pond and PVC pipes or cables are used to support the netting. The nets edges are stapled down into the ground for reinforcement.
When asked why it’s so important to prepare a pond in the fall he gave many answers. “What happens in winter the fish need tranquility, they go into a deep trance with hibernation, there could be a problem with ice dams and then the water goes outside the liner, that’s not good,” he explained.
Riccardo is a big proponent of netting a pond to keep the leaves out. The leaves can throw off an acid infiltrating the water which can negatively affect the health of the fish. “Netting also makes it very easy for a spring pond clean out,” he continued.
The Islandia native said some people put in twenty-four inches’ worth of water in a yard pond but all of his designs are at least thirty-six. “I like to go deeper, the deeper the water the better the fish will do,” he said.
AFTER THE FALL CLEANING
Riccardo heads to Florida mid-January for large-mouth bass fishing in the Everglades. “The two months go very quick and then it’s time to plan the upcoming ponds that have been ordered,” he said.
Seasonal work is just one service Pond Paradise Designs provides. He designs, builds ponds, builds pond-less waterfalls and fountain escapes. Riccardo does the brick work, the fauna and flora and LED lighting. He can even recommend certain fish to compliment a project.
“I am meticulous regardless of project, when it comes to the finishing touches, I handpick every stone I lay,” he said.
Riccardo builds ecosystems in suburban yards, in businesses and Long Island parks and gas stations of course.
RICCARDO’S FAVORITE PROJECT
“I can’t even say what was my favorite, I do one and say it’s my favorite and the next one tops that,” he chuckled. However, he confesses his passion lies with the pond he built in his father’s back yard which is an Eastern style garden and pond (photos shown).
He added that he is enormously proud of the 9/11 memorial for the Miller Place Fire Department he did with a seventy-five-foot waterfall. He says he also built a smaller but equally beautiful 9/11 memorial for the Wyandanch Fire Department that had great meaning to him.
The highly energized Riccardo is excited about talking about ponds and sharing his ideas. Perhaps Whisperer does not quite describe this artist!
For more information, check out the Pond Paradise Designs’ comprehensive website that includes advice for maintaining your pond in all seasons. They can also be found on Facebook, Pinterest and the popular home renovation site Home Talk
www.Pondparadisedesigns.com Email Riccardo at: pondparadisedesigns@msn.com or call: 516.220.6295