FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
CAST Landscape Lighting Maintenance
What is the required maintenance for CAST lighting fixtures?
The following maintenance should be performed on CAST fixtures once a year:
What is the required maintenance for CAST transformers?
Every 18 months, the following maintenance should be performed on your CAST transformer:
Can CAST landscape lighting perform in the winter?
Yes it can! CAST lighting fixtures are one of the most durable fixtures on the market today.
Pond Weeds
How do I control submerged aquatic weeds?
You need to reduce the muck because thats where the weeds are rooting.
How do I control floating weeds like duckweed?
Floating weeds are very difficult to eradicate and it is often introduced to the body of water by waterfowl. The reduction of nutrients is key in this case. Moving water with a fountain can be very effective for aerating the subsurface. You can also remove them manually by skimming!
How do I control emergent shoreline weeds?
Shoreline weeds like cattails can be difficult to treat. You can manually remove them by cutting the plant under the water before winter or by dredging. Also reducing the muck on the shoreline is key as weeds are likely to root in these areas.
Pond Maintenance
Does a pond take a lot of work to maintain?
If your pond has been constructed properly with good filtration, a skimmer and consistent water flow, you won't need to maintain it very often. Critical maintenance should happen during start up in the spring and shut down in the fall.
What type of maintenance does a pond typically need during the summer months?
Provided that your pond was designed and installed properly, you will have minimal maintenance to do. The skimmer basket should be dumped once a week which takes no time at all and beneficial bacteria needs to be added to maintain optimal levels of bacteria, preventing algae growth in your beautiful water feature.
Do I need to drain and clean my pond regularly?
Your pond is an ecosystem with many living organisms! We advise that you allow the pond to remain balanced by leaving the majority of the water in it year-round, unless you have a huge build up of fall leaves or muck accumulation on the bottom.
How can I prevent leaves from getting in my pond?
The 2 best ways to keep leaves out of your pond are by:
Should I add rocks to my pond? Does it make it difficult to clean?
Rocks and gravel offer a natural place for beneficial bacteria to colonize. The beneficial bacteria breaks down the fish waste and debris that would otherwise accumulate in the pond and turn into sludge.
Should I use a timer on my waterfall and turn it off at night?
Your pond is a living, breathing ecosystem that requires dissolved oxygen to remain healthy and clear. Your pond will use dissolved oxygen especially over night and we recommend installing a fine bubble aeration system that runs 24/7 in your pond. This will not only increase dissolved oxygen and improve your water quality, but it will also save you money on energy starting and shutting it off everyday. We suggest putting your waterfall on a remote so you can turn it on when you are nearby to enjoy it!
Are there different steps for treating a pondless waterfall?
Pondless waterfalls do need some required maintenance to keep them perfroming at their best. The following three easy steps will help...
Koi & Pond Fish
How deep does my pond need to be in order to keep koi fish?
There are thousands of two-foot deep ponds around the country, full of happy and healthy koi fish! Of course, if you are designing your pond and have the option to go deeper please be our guest!
Will predators will eat all of the fish in my pond?
Racoons and blue herrring are notorious for taking fish from ponds. We recommend providing a cave at the bottom of the pond for your fish to hide in so they will not be dinner for predators.
Can koi fish be kept in a pond that also contains plants?
Koi fish and plants compliment and need one another. In nature, fish feed on plants and as a result the fish produce waste which is broken down by beneficial bacteria on the bottom of your pond. In turn, this breakdown can be used as a fertilizer by the plants to grow and produce more natural fish food!
Do I need to bring my koi and goldfish inside for the winter?
It is possible to keep fish in a pond over the winter months even in the cold Canadian prairies! You must oxygenate the water and allow the gasses to escape while using a heater to keep the water open. The fish will go dormant and will be much more alive come the spring time!
Does having a pond mean a lot of mosquitoes?
Mosquitoes will generally only lay their eggs in still, stagnant water, therefore having an aeration system and/or waterfall will prevent them from laying their eggs there. If the mosquitoes happen to lay eggs in your pond and the mosquito larvae hatch, the fish in your pond will gladly gobble them up!
What is the optimum water temperature for my pond if I have fish?
Fish and pond critters prefer particular underwater temperatures. In fact, a high-temp living environment can even affect their health and well-being. Warm water holds less oxygen than cool water so they’ll be literally gasping for breath if it gets too hot. As the air temperature heats up this summer, the water temperature in your pond will increase, so it’s critical to keep an eye on it as the mercury rises. The best temperature for your aquatic pals is around room temperature at 20C. A floating pond thermometer is a great tool to keep an eye on your pond's water temperature during the year!
What can I do to keep my pond cool during the hot summer months?
You can do the following to keep your pond cool as it gets hotter out there:
My fish hang out near my waterfall during hot days. Do I have enough aeration in my pond?
On hot days, the waterfall aerates the water naturally which attracts fish. But does this mean the rest of your pond is not getting enough oxygen? This depends on multiple factors such as:
How can I improve the health of my pond fish?
If you're finding your pond fish seem a little off, you can follow these three steps to nuture them back to health...
Pond Design & Construction
What type of water feature is best?
The answer to this question depends on how much space you have available, your budget, and the amount of time you are willing to spend maintaining the feature. We would be happy to help you decide what is the best feature for you! Contact us today and let's talk about your landscape idea!
What size should I make my pond?
You might want to base this on your available space and budget. We think you should always build as large as you can afford but not so large that it looks out of place in your landscape. Fact is, most people end up rebuilding their water feature because they want it bigger. Build your dream water feature the first time!
What is the cost to build a pond?
This greatly depends on if you build the pond yourself or if you hire a professional to do it. We would be happy to talk it out and put together a quote for you. Contact us today!
How long does it take for a landscape contractor to install a pond or a pond-free water feature?
Most water features can be installed in a day or less with minimal or no damage to your yard, but some larger water features may take a week or two. The weather also plays a roll in how long it takes, but you can be assured our certified professionals will get the job done right and on time!
Can I have fish and plants in my pond?
Of course you can! As long as you have a water garden or pond. Some of the other water features can support plant life but not fish. Adding fish to your pond will have a positive effect on the eco-system and create a new and engaging element to your water feature!
Do I need to winterize my water feature?
Yes, and it’s super easy! If the pond has been designed well you should only need to:
So I want to install a pond in my yard. What is the next step?
We are so excited for you! Contact us and we can recommend a contractor in your area or we can prepare a quote for the equipment you'll need.
Is it ok to have a pond in an area where there are a lot of trees?
Yes, you will have more leaves in your pond during the fall but if you have a well designed and properly installed skimmer that sucks the water off the top of your pond, it will pull most of the leaves and related debris into the skimmer net which is easily emptied. Also in the fall, place a net over the pond until all the leaves are down and are cleaned up, then use MuckOff tablets to break down the leaves that fall to the bottom of the pond.
Is it a good idea to build a pond at the lowest area of your yard?
Unfortunately using your pond to capture run off is not a good idea as the run-off may contain toxins and fertilizers that make their way into your pond. Situate the pond in the most logical spot where you can have the most enjoyment from it on the higher ground, closer to your patio!
Should I use chemicals or environmentally friendly treatments in my pond?
Chemicals are very harsh on the ecosystem in your water feature. If you have fish they will not last long if you are adding harsh chemicals so please don't use them!
Large Pond & Dugout Treatments
How do I control submerged aquatic weeds?
CAST Lighting Product Information
Can CAST LED lights get hot enough to melt snow?
Anyone with landscape lights in Canada knows that when the snowfall comes, the lighting gets covered up! Luckily almost all CAST landscape lighting gets hot enough to melt the snow without water damage from the melt.
Do CAST lighting products comply with LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification requirements?
CAST Lighting products meet the LEED certification standards by reducing light pollution and making lighting products more energy efficient. Most CAST lights are fully shielded to prevent light pollution and the transformers and lamps are very energy efficient.
Does Riverdale Supply offer LED fixtures?
Yes, Riverdale Supply stocks and supplies CAST lighting fixtures. We exclusively carry CAST Lighting as they are the industry leader in LED development for landscape lighting. CAST LED fixtures are very durable, high-performing year-round, and competively priced.
How long will the bulbs last?
The light life expectancy is displayed on the product box and is determined by a number of testing procedures set by the Illumination Engineering Society of North America (IESNA).
How many landscape lights can one CAST LED Impressionist Light replace?
It really depends on your calculation and type of lights you're replacing but accordinging to our calculations...
What is the warranty on the CAST lighting offers?
CAST landscape lighting warrants its products against defects in material and workmanship. If a defect is found, the manufacturer will either replace or repair any properly installed CAST Lighting product which fails under normal landscape operating conditions and has no evidence of being tampered with, abused or damaged.
What are CAST Landscape Lights made of?
CAST landscape lighting is made from solid sand-cast bronze! This is the most corrosion-resistant metal used to make landscape lighting fixtures in the industry. There is no scratching, chipping, cracking, breaking or corroding under normal conditions. It is an incredibly durable product that will withstand even the harshest Canadian winters.
My CAST lighting fixtures are turning white! Why?
Because the CAST lighting fixtures are made of bronze, which naturally contains small amounts of zinc. After installation and due to enviromental conditions, some zinc migrates to the surface creating a white appearance. Do not be allarmed as this can be easily wiped off or will wear away naturally.
CAST Landscape Lighting Design
What CAST fixtures are best used for lighting up the front of a house?
CAST directional lights are perect for for illuminating broad, vertical surfaces. CAST directional lights are available in a variety of beam angles and wattages allowing for full customization of the lighting design/effect as it lights up your home.
What techniques can I use to light up my driveway?
Using a moonlighting technique is perfect for wide driveways or pathways. CAST tree lights are the best solution to achieve this effect. It involves mounting the tree lights 20 to 30 ft. up into trees along your driveway. The edges of your driveway can also be illuminated with CAST Source recessed lights which are small and compact but are perfect for leading a viewer down a path by showing path boundaries!
What is the best way to light up my retaining wall?
CAST wall lights are the perfect lighting solution for lighting up large walls and pillars as they emit a soft, long, and broad beam of light thats adjustable!
Does Riverdale Supply offer any lights for underwater use?
We sure do! We supply waterproof lights that are perfect for underwater illumination. These are great for illuminating ponds and waterfalls so you can enjoy them at night too!
Do any CAST lights you supply have colour adjustment options?
Of course! We supply CAST Source spotlights that have RBGW colour combinations that can be adjusted wirelessly right from your smartphone or tablet device!
What would be the best option for lighting up a sign?
Although there are a few CAST lights that will do the trick, in our opinion a CAST wall or wash light is the perfect candidate for the job as the soft, wide beam can be adjusted to cover any area of a sign without over illuminating the sign's details.
CAST Landscape Lighting Installation
Will a CAST landscape lighting installation damage property?
Our CAST certified installation specialists know how to install your CAST lighting system with minimal digging compared to higher voltage systems. Typically small, narrow trenches need to be made, but after a complete setup which usually takes 2-3 days, your property will be undamaged and illuminated!
Can CAST lights be dimmed?
If your lighting system is setup and installed properly, your lights should be set up at optimal angles to not be dimmed as the lights should illuminate soft, indirect beams thats not harsh on the eye. By dimming the system, you run the risk of detorating the lighting circuit.
Can I install CAST Lights myself?
Given the specific product and specialty skill requirments, we do not recommend that homeowners undertake the installation of a CAST landscape lighting system. To achieve the best results, you would need:
Can I mount a transformer inside my home?
We recommend installing your lighting system transformer outside to promote the dissipation of heat generated by the transformer but it can be installed indoors if neccesary. An installer should follow National Electrical Code (NEC) guidelines for running wires thorugh exterior walls and use a rated metal conduit.
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