Preface: A Storybook with a Purpose

This isn’t entirely a technical or academic book. It’s more of a storybook—one that blends real-world experience with both technical and non-technical insights into pond design and management, gathered over the years. It’s written to share knowledge that’s useful whether you’re designing a pond, maintaining one, or simply curious about how they work.

The language is simple, intended especially for Asian readers in tropical climates, where a garden fish pond is not just a hobby, but often a deeply valued part of the home. Along the way, you’ll come across some technical terms—yes, a few might feel as flat as a school textbook. Bear with them. If you manage to get through those bits, you’ll be carrying knowledge worth being proud of someday.

Life is all about understanding the art and science of living. We cannot avoid this, and we can’t compromise art for science, or science for art. They are not opposing forces—they’re like the double helix of DNA: intertwined and essential. The understanding of both helps elevate pond design from guesswork to good work. And the same applies in life.

When the renowned scientist Albert Einstein met the legendary silent film artist Charlie Chaplin, he said:

“What I admire most about your art is its universality. You do not say a word, and yet the world understands you.”

To which Chaplin replied:

“It’s true. But your fame is even greater. The world admires you, even though no one understands a word of what you say.”

Even if we can’t always hear or fully grasp the depth of art and science, they’re both there—silently keeping the world moving. For those who understand the beauty of these two worlds, it is like living in a garden paradise—one made by design, meant to help ourselves before we try to save the world.

Humility is an art; understanding is a science.

Enjoy the read.

Acknowledgement

My first job in freshwater prawn farming started in 1985, when I was asked to clean up the freshwater supply for an aquaculture consultant from Taiwan. The water came from a nearby stream—muddy and murky—which didn’t sit well with him. He was used to the crystal-clear groundwater back in Taiwan and made it very clear he wasn’t impressed.

But I was prepared. During my university days at Universiti Pertanian Malaysia, Dr. M.W.R.N. De Silva—a cheerful lecturer from Sri Lanka—introduced us to the principle of how biofiltration works. He gave us a crash course: buckets of sand and gravel, some plastic tubing, a small aquarium pump, and said, “Now, build a biofiltration system that works with these.”

He poured murky, organic-rich water into an aquarium and left us to figure out how to clean and clear it up. We fiddled, connected, adjusted—and then, like magic, the water started clearing after a while. Spectrophotometer tests confirmed it: the water quality had improved, just as he promised.

That little science project felt like a small miracle. Looking back, that’s where my journey truly began—tanks with dirty water, some gravel, and the belief that clean water was always possible, with the art of design and the science of knowledge.

I owe much to the late Dr. Philip Arumugam, who was charismatic and always jovial whenever he walked into our class of 14 students back in 1979. He didn’t just teach aquatic ecology—he brought it to life. Through field trips exploring rivers, netting fishes, identifying aquatic plants, slogging through mangrove mudflats, and staying awake for 24-hour pond surveys, he opened our eyes to the richness of aquatic life and their world.

His passion was infectious, and it sparked a deep interest in me. He also introduced us to Fundamentals of Ecology by Eugene Odum—a book that soon became our bible in understanding ecosystems. That was how I began to learn and enjoy the intense, meaningful world of aquatic ecology—and how it shaped my understanding of nature’s role in our environment and society. For me, understanding the ecology of life became the foundation for living well, with interactions and understanding around us that truly help.

During his first lecture on fish diseases, Dr. Shariff Bin Mohd Din kept repeating one word like a mantra: stress. “Stress leads to most fish diseases,” he said—and he meant it. He looked at us seriously, but we couldn’t help smiling. It felt more like a life lesson than a science class.

And he was right. Fish get sick from stress, and so do we. Life throws pressures at us, and if we don’t handle them well, we break down—just like the fish.

Dato’ Prof. Dr. Shariff, now an eminent scholar, always seemed the calmest person in the room. Maybe it’s because he truly understood the damage stress can cause. His lessons weren’t just about sick fish—they were about how not to become one.

The late Prof. Ang Kok Jee once said, “Aquaculture is art.” He was absolutely right. There are some non-technical aspects of managing water and aquaculture that can’t be measured—where instinct and experience become your best tools, like how artists paint. Since starting my pond design and management services in 1994, the blend of art and science has been my guiding principle, which at times was more art than science to me. For that, it kept me going for many years—until I finally decided to retire.

Around mid-1996, I came to know Clement Chan, an architect who showed me how a “biological component” like me could fit into the architectural world. I’m grateful for that. Soon after, he moved on to start his own architectural practice—and my solo adventure into the art and science of pond design and management began in earnest.

In 2010, my wife and I were invited to a science exhibition at Sreenidhi International School in Hyderabad. One exhibit caught my eye—two aquarium tanks, one clear and one murky, just like the ones I used long ago in the laboratory at the Faculty of Fisheries of UPM. A girl, no older than 15, cheerfully explained how the biofiltration system worked. I smiled, half amazed, half amused—30 years later, and here I was getting schooled by a kid in India.

At last, the fun and joy of work are never quite complete without good company. My lovely wife, Soo Mun, has been by my side through it all, whether we were working, travelling, or exploring together over the years. With her MSc in aquatic microbiology, she sees the invisible life in a pond more clearly than most of us. But between microbes and moments, I still enjoy and prefer her visible presence. 

I am writing this book not as a technical manual, but as a sharing of experience—a story, with just enough information to pass on a craft shaped by time, guided by nature, and often inspired by art. Whether you're a designer, builder, architect, hobbyist, or simply someone who appreciates the presence of water in a garden, I hope this passion-driven book helps you see ponds not just as water features—but as living systems that deserve thoughtful care and responsible management.

Contents

1.0 Introduction: Why Ponds, Why Not? 

In this book, when I say ponds, I’m referring to ornamental landscape ponds—man-made water features designed primarily for beauty and aesthetic enjoyment within a landscaped setting. These are often found in gardens, parks, courtyards, resorts, townships, and private homes. They are not just built for their beauty, but also to serve practical and beneficial purposes, especially for displaying fishes, aquatic plants, and other attractions depending on how they’re designed with intent.

These ornamental ponds, as discussed in this book, are divided into two types: garden ponds and landscape ponds. Garden ponds can be as small as just a few square metres and are designed as a garden feature—like a living painting at home. Landscape ponds, on the other hand, are man-made but can be as large as a few acres. These resemble natural ponds and are often found in parks, commercial developments, or urban townships, where people can enjoy activities like boating or simply relaxing by the water.

Both types of ponds, in the context of this book and our approach, are what we call eco-ponds—ponds specially designed to be self-sustaining, chemical-free, and environmentally friendly. The smaller versions, the garden ponds, often serve as home garden features and may also support small-scale home aquaculture. The larger ones—the landscape ponds—may serve additional purposes like flood mitigation, air temperature regulation, or habitat support. But in most cases, let’s be honest, they’re built for aesthetic reasons.

My approach to pond design and management follows nature’s own biological processes—a mimicry of what goes on in the world of aquatic life. For example: keeping fish to control algae, boosting beneficial bacteria to balance water chemistry, and planting aquatic plants to soak up nutrients. No use of chemicals like chlorine. No high-tech filters. No complex or costly maintenance practices. Just smart, simple systems rooted in ecological principles and understanding.

Truthfully, ornamental pond design is complex, and a broad knowledge of ecology, biology, chemistry, and even engineering is needed to fully understand it. But the goal of this book is to simplify these subjects—offering readers foundational knowledge drawn from my over 30 years of experience in freshwater aquaculture, pond design, and pond management.

It has long been known that humans shape their surroundings to suit their needs and comfort. Unlike wild animals, we do not easily adapt to untamed or natural environments—except, perhaps, among some indigenous communities who still live in close connection with nature. As our basic needs were gradually met, we began to seek not just survival, but also leisure and beauty. From this longing, the idea of the garden was born.

The history of gardens stretches far back—some believe it all began with the Garden of Eden, the oldest garden recorded in biblical texts. But today, even a single potted plant at home can bring the joy of a garden to life. Having a garden is like living with peace, relaxation, and serenity—a form of joyful escapism. And for those who can afford it, a fish pond can be a luxurious addition. Why not?

In Chinese culture, garden ponds are closely tied to the flow of Qi, the internal energy central to Feng Shui geomancy, which seeks to bring luck and prosperity to a home and its occupants. A pond must be properly designed and positioned, with the right number and auspicious colour of fish, to harmonise with Feng Shui beliefs. For many who follow these practices, such a pond is not a luxury—it is a necessity.

For many others, ponds at home reflect personal interests—especially a passion for fish-keeping. Fish hobbyists keep a variety of species, from small tropical aquarium fish to Japanese koi, wild river fishes like mahseer, and even the prized arowana—a particularly expensive collector’s choice. To these hobbyists, a pond with a good water filtration system is of utmost importance. It’s not just decoration—it’s a sanctuary, a private gallery of living jewels that brings much excitement and satisfaction. For them, the pond becomes an extension of identity—a reflection of patience, pride, and often, a symbol of prosperity and personal taste.

Beyond home garden ponds, there are ponds with different functions and characteristics. In architectural design, ponds are considered softscape elements used to balance the hardscape components of a structure. In urban planning—whether for townships, resorts, commercial developments, or residential projects—landscapers and architects often incorporate ponds, swales, and other water features as integral parts of the masterplan. These water bodies are typically intended for aesthetics and balance, forming part of a harmonious design vision.

In architectural terms, many such features are called reflection pools or ponds, often characterised by still, clear water maintained with chemicals—most commonly chlorine.

Some developers, particularly those overseeing townships or large private estates, go beyond ponds and gardens by including parks with landscape ponds or large lakes. These are essential to creating a fully balanced masterplan. While there is no universal definition separating a pond from a lake, for the purposes of this book:

• Any man-made water body larger than three acres will be referred to as a lake,
  
  

• While ponds of less than three acres are landscape ponds.
  
  

Garden ponds in homes, reflection pools in offices and commercial buildings, and landscape ponds in parks are all integral parts of project development designs. They are often depicted in blue—contrasting beautifully with the surrounding greens, browns, and whites spread across the masterplan. They always look striking on paper.

However, in reality, once construction ends and time passes, the water in these ponds rarely retains that pristine blue hue—especially the one featured in marketing brochures. Instead, it often turns green or brown—cloudy and unsightly, far from the aesthetic originally envisioned.

This is where pond design and management becomes a necessity—an effort to solve water quality problems that arise from designs lacking ecological understanding. Without knowledge of pond ecology, water chemistry, and environmental interactions, such water bodies are doomed to fail in both form and function.

A pond polluted with green-coloured water—usually caused by excessive nutrients or organic waste build-up—is called eutrophic. This technical term describes ponds that require remedial action before conditions worsen, potentially affecting both the pond system and the surrounding environment.

All these transformations—from beautifully designed, blue-water ponds on paper to real ponds teeming with fish, algae, plants, and water quality that shifts like the weather, often tipping into a eutrophic state—mark the moment when reality sets in. It’s not a failure, and it’s not a flaw. It’s simply the shift from design fantasy to ecological reality. 

This is where art meets science.
When it is no longer a drawing, a plan, or a dream—it becomes a living system.
The art gives the pond its form and feeling.
The science keeps it alive.
And when both work together, the pond becomes more than just a water feature—it becomes a living eco-pond.

This is when we welcome the science of aquatic ecology and the art of pond design and management.

A completed version of the book will be featured on this site when ready for publishing. 

2.0 What Is Pond Design and Management? Is there such a thing ?

3.0 Understanding Ecology: A Gentle Dip into the World of Aquatic Ecology 

4.0 The Horror of Water Quality

5.0 The Bio-filtration System That Works: Design, Function and Flow

6.0 Fish In Ponds: Their Role of the Underwater Cleaners

7.0 Aquatic Plants and Their Ecological Functions: The Green Superpowers 

8.0 The Art of the Pond - A Step-by-Step Guide to Designing Living Ponds with Beauty and Purpose 

9.0 Pond Functionality in Landscaper's Art: Where Beauty Meets Purpose 

10.0 Conclusion: Reflections on Water: Say Yes to the Right Ponds, Not Porn