Larry Carnes is the president of Reflections Water Gardens in West Dundee, Illinois. Larry began his career as a student of art and developed an interest in landscaping. He worked for several companies, gaining knowledge in tree care, patio design and installation and landscape architecture. He renders concepts for his clients that are pieces of art as much as they are working designs. After assisting a pond builder in creating a unique in-ground pond/pool for his family, Larry's landscaping interest turned to water features. Larry has taken Genesis 3 courses with Anthony Archer-Wills, learning to design and create natural-looking ponds and water features. Reflections Water Gardens focuses on high-end residential and commercial projects with naturalistic watershaping.

How to Build a Sustainable Sand-Bottom Pond

By Larry Carnes / December 30, 2020 / 32 Comments

I was taught early on as a pond professional not to put sand on the bottom of a pond, and I’ve always just accepted it as best practice in the pond-construction industry. After all, I have heard quite a few objections over the years. “Sand can’t be brushed or vacuumed effectively, so it will be […]

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Improving Pond Water Quality with Ozone Systems

By Larry Carnes / August 28, 2020 / 6 Comments

If you’re a pond builder, you’ve undoubtedly already heard of (and possibly already installed) an ozone system to help keep a pond clean. If not, don’t panic! The science behind ozone, hydroxyl radicals and oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) is complicated, and not too many of us hold an advanced degree in chemistry or molecular physics. The […]

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Submersible Water Pumps: Electrical Safety Tips

By Larry Carnes / April 29, 2020 / 0 Comments

Pond professionals come from a wide range of backgrounds and interests and often wear many different creative and technical hats. With an artistic background in design and a team of landscape architects to put the vision together, a pond professional can easily overlook some of the electrical issues or assume that the electrician will take […]

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Plants to Keep Your Pond Radiant This Fall

By Larry Carnes / August 29, 2016 / 0 Comments

It won’t be long before the trees turn and you pull out your favorite sweater to enjoy the crisp air and calming hues of autumn. Once the marginals and deep-water plants begin to die back, it is time to prune them and send them to deeper waters before winter. >> Related Content | View these […]

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The Vital Basics of Rock Watershaping

By Larry Carnes / August 27, 2015 / 0 Comments

There is an art to rock watershaping, and each individual brings to a project what he puts into it. Without a discerning eye for nature and a talent for this artistry, many man-made structures don’t achieve the balance and appearance of nature. I am a strong believer in studying not only the masters of watershaping, […]

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Nature’s Clues for Great Watershaping

By Larry Carnes / February 24, 2015 / 0 Comments

It’s generally known that superior results in naturalistic watershaping require a commitment both to the study of natural geological processes and to figuring out how to mimic those relationships on-site. Just as important is actually getting the opportunity to apply what you’ve learned in the field. To me, becoming a good or even a great […]

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