As Phoenix homeowners begin to research the idea of adding a backyard pond to their outdoor environment, they come across A LOT of information, not all of which is appropriate to our Southwest climate, or even accurate for that matter. In our humble opinion, and that of our clients, we are the foremost expert on ponds in our neck of the woods. Why? Because we live here, and we’ve been building ecosystem ponds in this environment for over 25 years (as of 2025).
We’ve discussed our opinion about this particular building technique below:
Do ponds need bottom drains?
The quick answer: nope. In our educated opinion, bottom drains are not necessary under most circumstances, so they can be a waste of money. And, if not installed properly, they can cause your pond to unexpectedly empty entirely, killing all of your aquatic life. It’s important to know whether or not you need one because it can make a big difference in the health and appearance of your pond.
What exactly is a bottom drain?
A bottom drain is simply a drain in the deep end of the pond. It removes debris from the bottom of the pond to the filters where it can then be removed. Your pond is therefore supposed to be cleaner and clearer from using one. Of course, for it to work properly, it needs to be cleaned regularly, as often as daily, depending on the amount of debris falling into the pond.
A pipe will need to be run under the liner. This means a pathway must be dug out so a hump doesn’t show. A hole is then cut in the liner, and the actual drain is installed.
It’s a technical process, and adds quite a bit of expense to the construction, so is it worth it? Not to mention, it’s almost always a potential leak issue because there’s been a hole cut in the liner, and it’s tough to get that sealed properly.
Pros & Cons
| Arguments For | Arguments Against |
| Circulates the water, thus aerating and cleaning it Collects biological waste The less waste there is, the cleaner the pond will be, and the happier and healthier the fish are. | A bottom drain isn’t needed if the following criteria are met: The pond is less than 4 feet deep Jets keep waste from collecting on the bottom (intake bay) Aerators on the bottom of the pond keep waste from settling (intake bay) |
What does The Pond Gnome think of bottom drains?
We don’t need them. And we certainly don’t install them.
The Pond Gnome builds sustainable ecosystem ponds that don’t need bottom drains. The ponds that we build are typically less than 4′ deep, which means a bottom drain is not needed.
We do, however, often install intake bays in deeper Koi ponds to add to the circulation and ease of maintenance. They’re much easier to install, and don’t require us to cut a hole in the pond liner, which is always a potential leak issue.
Serving Phoenix, Scottsdale, Glendale, Arizona (AZ) & Surrounding Areas
For more information on Pond Construction: https://pondgnome.com/pond-construction-phoenix-az/