Aquatic Creations

Noah and his team at Aquatic Creations did an amazing job turning our backyard into an oasis. He designed a 3 tier waterfall, with landscape lighting and aquatic plants. Our children love feeding the fish and letting them nibble on their toes. All of our guest love sitting next to it enjoying the relaxing sounds of the waterfall. It's our own little piece of heaven in our backyard. We highly recommend Noah and his team for your next water feature!! He does Know water!!

Aquatic Creations Landscape Architects Strasburg, VA 22657 1.0 star rating 10/27/2016 Updated review ******UPDATE****** 10-26-16 I ABSOLUTELY MUST change my star review, from 2 stars, to one star (and that's ONLY because the pond IS beautiful, despite the drama I continue to endure with it). So remember when I mentioned the fried transformer box, after only 1 YEAR? I mentioned to Noah immediately, because I had no working pond lights and no working path lights. I questioned why this would have burned out so quickly, Noah responded "this is typical for these transformers to go out in about a year's time", and said that they could come out and replace the box for a $120 service charge, which I declined. At that time, I wasn't sure I wanted to take a chance on another NON-AQUASCAPES transformer box install (yes, that's what I said). I honestly don't think AC thought I'd be smart enough to recognize that it WASN'T an Aquascapes product, so If I'd agreed to a service call, I'd just have set myself up for future service calls, which means more $$$. I declined the offer and told Noah that I wanted to try and find a transformer with a far better rating and reliability, and left things at that. I found a really good transformer box on Amazon, had it installed by a contractor, but the lights (both in the pond, as well as the path lights) STILL DIDN'T WORK! So, my husband and I decide to contact another pond/watergarden company (with a FAR MORE SUCCESSFUL CUSTOMER RATING), to ask for advice and assistance. And when a representative from the company came to our home, GUESS WHAT ELSE WE LEARNED???? My husband was finally taught the PROPER installation placement of the filter basket (the flow rate wasn't set correctly, so whenever we attempted to clean the filter and replace the basket, the water quickly dissipated, exposing the pump underneath). We then traced the pond lighting system, and came across the first bundle of wires. And much to our surprise/shock, we discovered that the wire bundle consisted of "RED INDOOR ELECTRICAL CAPS" pigtailed with electrical wire. And for an "outer protective coating" these were wrapped in electrical tape. Upon removal of electrical tape and removal of red caps, moisture was detected inside the cap wells (Hmmm, I wonder why my lights didn't work??) If the transformer box hadn't blown too early in its life, I wonder how long it would have been, from the buildup inside the caps, before the lights would have burned out? We also learned that Aquatic Creations "builds their ponds up", and while doing this, installed the lighting system inside the pond. Problem now is, if any lights EVER need replacing, the ENTIRE SYSTEM has to be ripped out and REPLACED by ANYONE coming in afterwards, to do the work. YOU GUESSED IT...MORE $$$. Bottom line: We paid $200 for a block of instruction on pond and pump care. Then we spent $10 for proper MOISTURE FREE OUTDOOR ELECTRICAL CAPS (the BIG BLUE ONES THAT SAY "WATERPROOF" ON THE FRONT). And now, my husband will spend several hours, in the cold and rain, retracing and rebundling what SHOULD have been installed correctly the FIRST TIME. And with this, my worst fears were realized in knowing the 26K we paid overall for professionalism and quality, were not justified in the end. Here we are, a year later, STILL dealing with issues. SHAME ON YOU AQUATIC CREATIONS! HAPPY VETERANS DAY EVERYONE!!!!! __________________________________________________ 2.0 star rating 8/24/2016 Previous review I previously wrote, and deleted, a review of this company. The reason for the deletion was because I thought the problems with our pond would have been taken care of, once and for all, when the owner of the company came to our home last. But they weren't. And now, my review is back. Last June, my husband and I thought it would be a great idea to have a pond and waterfall installed in our backyard. He was to build this for me originally, but received orders for deployment to leave before we could get anything off the ground. So I came across this company, out of several within a 100-mile radius from our home, and decided to give a call. My husband and I met with Noah (and his father) and walked through the property with our ideas. Although his idea for the size of the water garden was far smaller than what I had i mind, we decided to go with this company PRIMARILY because Noah was a military veteran (as are we) and we try to support Veteran-owned businesses. Red Flag #1-We asked for, and received, no military discount. What Veteran-owned company, in business since 2007, doesn't provide other veterans (with an intent of utilizing their company for services) a military discount? Especially on project over 25K? (which we both still believe for the size of water garden we received, was way too much money; Looking back, that 11' x 16' pond/waterfall, we believe, shouldn't have been more than $15-16,000 total. Including labor. I say this, because my husband is a stonemason, when he isn't doing Army duty. After going back and tallying up how much supplies for a pond/waterfall cost, I realize that I could have purchased all of the materials myself (a woman) for about $2000. The stones, I know we could have gotten cheaper of even free, if my husband were doing it, as he would have collected them along creeks or through his friends that actually own stone yards. I also told Noah (and his dad) that I wanted to plant my own plants and shrubs around the perimeter of the water garden, and yet, no further discount were taken off the overall price...STILL). Red Flag #2- His father came to the job site almost daily, overseeing Noah and his crew, which confused me for someone who's supposedly been in business since 2007 Red Flag #3- I made VERY clear how much my front yard means to me. My husband and I work very hard keeping it close to flawless. I like to work on a specific area of my yard, until its exactly how I'd like it to look, before moving onto another area. I expressed to Noah that they had free reign of the BACK YARD area for boulders, etc., because we wouldn't be overhauling the grass area there until my husband returned from overseas duty the following year. My daughter and I go out of town for 4 days, return, and not only are the giant boulders NOT in the back yard area, but they're on the side of my front yard, killing my lawn! I'm beyond livid, and upon asking, Noah replies that it was easier for he and the crew to "pick and choose" the stones they needed "not too far from where we're working"(???). The entire crew knew I wasn't happy, that's for sure. Red Flag #4- To add more stress to this drama, NO ONE from Aquatic Creations cared enough to take care of my fence gates, as one gate has 3 split wood boards (from the gate being allowed to slam shut during windy days, without the accompanying pole being put down into the ground preventing such things from happening). Because of this, I now have a fence gate with broken hardware which wasn't replaced. Nor was any form of monetary compensation offered. In approaching Noah about this, someone from his company (not sure whom) attempted a half-ass repair of the damaged hardware, but its still broken. I've had a handyman come out to repair the gate, to keep the wind from blowing the door open during heavy storms, a cost that I shouldn't have to have incurred. Long story short (as I don't have space to write everything here), this was not worth the money, for all of the headache involved. This is FAR MORE UNNECESSARY MAINTENANCE needing to be done on a project of this size. Customer service has been horrendous (lost emails, unreturned phone calls for days, whenever I call...not my husband, go figure). I shouldn't have allowed my head to overrule my heart, and gone with a company with more experience and better reviews. Having to replace a burned out transformer (because it was installed too low to a stone patio, where rainwater splashes up and fries the system) after a year, as well as having to replace the ION-Gen after a year, is beyond ridiculous. Will post on other sites as well. Ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous. DO YOUR RESEARCH PEOPLE, and ASK LOTS OF QUESTIONS!

Came to clean out our 3000 gallon pond. Removed fish and cleaned everything. Even reset some of our stones at the top near the waterfall and reset the plants. As we are on a well we had to have tankers come in and fill the pond back up so we agreed to put the fish back in. They did a great job and made great recommendations. Would certainly recommend.

Aquatic Creations helped to make my backyard waterfall idea a reality. I had planned on doing the project on my own. I had purchased some rocks and pond/waterfall pump, liner, etc. But when I got ready to start, I knew I needed some direction. I called Noah at Aquatic Creations and he came out to look at my yard and hear my ideas. It didn't take long to realize my ideas were more than what I could do myself even with having some direction. I asked Noah to give me a quote on creating my waterfall. He came back a couple days later with a rendering of the area with my waterfall. He hit the nail on the head and the price was right. Noah and his crew worked every day for less than a week and created a tranquil oasis in my yard. The water flowed perfectly over a couple waterfalls and even included a wading area for my kids. The landscaping that Noah chose tied everything together to make it look like tye waterfall is a natural part of our yard. I highly recommend Aquatic Creations for your water feature instalation.

We had them build a water feature to channel roof rain water away from the house into a decorative stream. They did an excellent job of arranging small waterfalls, rocks, and plantings. They also installed some very tasteful underwater lighting. We were quite pleased and would hire them again.

We have been using Aquatic Creations for several years, in different capacities. Openings, closings, as well as Bi monthly service. They are a consistent company with well mannered employees. The owner and his team are very professional, courteous, and talented. I recommend Aquatic Creations for any professional quality work from installations and builds, to dependable monthly maintenance and service.

Aquatic Creations came recommended to us to install a pondless water feature & we would highly recommend them to anyone interested in any water feature of any shape, size , or location . Noah has an amazing eye for detail of what the area should look like . The knowledge of the design , materials used , & finished product far exceeded our expectations . Noah & team were very professional throughout & a huge pleasure to work with . We had them back to complete some stone work we needed the following year & were again so very happy with all their hard work & completed project . We will enjoy our Aquatic Creations for years to come .

We bought our home in October of 2011 and it had a very leaky fish pond that the previous owner we assume built themselves. Noah came to give an estimate to basically re-build the pond and improve it to match the wooded area that we live in. In March of 2012 we had our new pond and we thoroughly enjoy it. I would recommend Noah and Aquatic Creations to build your water feature. He is a very nice and professional person and he truly wants to do the best job he can for his clients. Hopefully in the future he can build me another one!

They created a fairy garden for me using a antique iron gate and rock, wood , logs, mulch and soil already on the property. They decorated a bird feeder to fit into the scenario. I have used this company before and was very pleased, Much enthusiasm and creative ideas and knowledge to back it up. Job was done amazingly quickly. So when I realized I would never get to designing and implementing a fairy garden, I called again even though it was not a pond or even water. Noah can up with a delightful idea (I never would have gotten close to it myself) and in a few days it was a reality. Unfortunately I have to wait for spring to plant and see it at its best. They are always courteous, pleasant., respond quickly to emails/calls, thorough, clean up after themselves and create unique, magnificent things to enjoy! Recommend highly.

I have used this company twice. They installed a 16' pondless stream and I was so satisfied that the next year I hired them to terrace a slope using boulders. On both jobs they were timely, polite, and professional. The work was completed without damage to nearby plants, stone walkways, and in-ground irrigation systems. I would recommend them without any reservations.

While I had no prior reference to Aquatic Creations, I found Noah Manuel and his father and workmen to be incredibly competent. Noah's design ability is remarkable. In addition, Noah is a lovely young man who is always pleasant and respectful. The project came in to within $200 of the budget I had allowed. The pond is absolutely beautiful - visitors are always wowed by its natural and intricate design. The pond is perhaps the most remarkable enhancement I have made to my small farm. I recommend Aquatic Creations without reservations - I could not be more pleased with our continued association (opening and closing of the pond). I am delighted to be able to give Aquatic Creations the highest rating possible.