Concrete ponds and liners were always the go-to for koi pond enthusiasts, but for Hunter Nieman, they lacked something. His journey into the koi fish and pond-building world began at a time when he was searching for something more. He discovered koi fish and was struck by the peacefulness of their graceful movement and vibrant colors. What started as an interest quickly turned into a passion. Soon, Hunter was importing koi from Japan, driven by a desire to share the calmness they brought to him with others.
With this vision in mind, he opened a shop in Seymour, Tennessee, where he began selling koi to enthusiasts across the country. But koi alone didn’t satisfy him. He wanted to create something complete — a full experience for clients that showcased not only the beauty of koi but the peace of the ponds they lived in. SelectKoi and SelectPonds were born from this ambition: SelectKoi focused on providing high-quality koi, and SelectPonds aimed at building, maintaining and enhancing the ponds for these unique fish.
As Hunter gained experience, he began connecting with koi collectors and breeders worldwide. Eventually, his dedication caught the attention of respected breeders, including Dainichi, one of Japan’s top breeders known as the “Lamborghini of the koi world.” They asked him to represent their koi in America, a sign of trust that underscored his growing influence in the koi community. With his koi reputation solidifying, Hunter’s drive for creating better ponds only grew.
An Unplanned Partnership
Years and numerous projects later, Hunter needed help managing his ideas. That’s when Thom Karlowicz entered the picture. Thom, a landscaper, pond builder, irrigation expert and water artist with over 26 years of experience, arrived one Tuesday seemingly out of nowhere. Originally from Oregon, Thom was enthusiastic about water features and ponds, and his easygoing personality paired with his serious dedication to his work made him a perfect fit. It didn’t take long for Hunter to see that Thom was the right person to bring his vision to life.
Before Thom joined, Hunter had already completed a series of ponds that were both serene and eye catching. Concrete pond projects in New Hampshire, North Carolina, Tennessee and Kentucky added to his portfolio, drawing attention from viewers and koi enthusiasts alike. Soon, he started sharing his journey on social media, and to his surprise, his work took off. YouTube, Instagram and Facebook audiences were captivated not only by the ponds but by the koi as well.
On one rainy fall day, Hunter found himself questioning the limits of traditional pond materials. Liners, while popular, had their drawbacks, and concrete, though durable, was costly and limited in size. The idea hit him: what if there was a way to create plastic ponds that could be molded into any size, shape or design? Inspired, Hunter began researching, exploring the potential for a new type of pond that would defy traditional materials.
Enter Innovative Plastic Ponds: PolyPond
This research led Hunter to experiment with a new idea — what would eventually become the PolyPond. The project began with plastic sheets and a welder, starting as a simple photography tub to make it easier for his photographer to capture shots of koi.
Unexpectedly, the project revealed that plastic ponds could effectively hold water. That success sparked a bigger question: could they scale up the concept and build large, plastic ponds without liners?
After the tub’s initial success, Hunter brought in Thom to help develop the concept. Together, they aimed to construct a larger pond, one that would sit in front of the SelectKoi shop as a real-world demonstration of their approach.
They dug out space, planning for this front pond to become a focal feature, but as the project advanced, they ran into issues. The welds weren’t holding, and the structure showed signs of weakness, which led them to question if their idea could hold up on a larger scale.
Determined to make it work, they looked into advanced techniques that might solve the problem. Hunter sought out welding classes, only to find that every course in the United States was fully booked. Feeling frustrated, he reached out to his mentor, Nico Dervisaj, known in koi circles as the “Koi Whisperer.”
Nico, owner of Koi World in Belgium, is a respected figure in the koi community, known for his extensive knowledge, love of koi and humorous yet grounded personality. As luck would have it, Nico had experience with plastic welding and recommended a course in Belgium. Encouraged by Nico’s advice, Hunter and Thom packed their bags and flew to Belgium, where they spent weeks learning specialized techniques like extrusion welding and butt fusion. Every challenge in Belgium was a lesson, and when they returned, they were ready to bring the PolyPond concept to life.
Back home, they got to work rewelding each joint, reinforcing the structure and ensuring the pond was watertight. After months of adjustments and problem-solving, the PolyPond finally took shape. But they didn’t stop there. They created a smaller, portable version — an 800-gallon, above-ground PolyPond. With this model complete, they decided to showcase it at the All-American Koi Show in Las Vegas.
The timing wasn’t perfect. They faced delays with a Japanese koi shipment, and a client in Nashville was awaiting a delivery. Despite these obstacles, the team managed to coordinate everything. The transport team handled the Nashville delivery at 4 a.m., and shortly afterward, they hit the road for Las Vegas.
A Welcome New Approach to Pond Construction
In Las Vegas, the PolyPond drew immediate attention. People were intrigued by this new take on pond construction, and of course, the koi helped pull in the crowd. But more than just showcasing the plastic pond, Hunter and his team shared the story of its creation — the months of dedication, the setbacks and the determination that brought them to that point. During the show, Hunter came up with another idea: offering certified installers who could help set up PolyPonds across the country, making it easier for others to bring this innovative approach to their own ponds.
Shortly after the show, SelectPonds secured its first PolyPond client, marking the shift from prototype to a full-scale project. Hunter, Thom and their team set to work on blueprints, gathered materials and assembled a crew to tackle the project. The completed installation — a unique, three-circle pond connected by two stone bridges and a wooden bridge — reflected the care and precision that had gone into the PolyPond from the start. The result was serene yet functional, with an elegant design that created a tranquil symmetry.
That first installation marked a new chapter for SelectPonds. The PolyPond wasn’t just an experiment; it was a fresh approach to pond building. With trained crews now ready to install PolyPonds nationwide with easy-to-follow instructions for DIY enthusiasts, plastic ponds open new possibilities for koi lovers and water-feature enthusiasts alike.
