You have seen those cool videos on the internet, where you see fancy lights coming from the water.
While you can just simply put a light bulb under the aquarium, doing that under a pond is not an easy task.
You need to be clear of one thing, you can’t do it in a natural pond. If you own an artificial garden pond then keep reading.
Make sure to get the Best Pond Lights for better color accuracy and brightness.
Safety First
water and electricity are not the best friends. They are not compatible with each other. One misstep can cost your dear life. If you don’t know how to work with electricity, I highly suggest you seek help from a professional.
When you are installing the lights, make sure their sealing is completely waterproof. Not even a water drop should be able to go inside of the sealing.
Make sure that your outlet has a GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter). If there isn’t contact an electrician and get one installed first.
Before you start cutting wires, make sure the power cord is long enough to connect the pond to the power.
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Transformers
Most of the pond lights use a 12v and they come with its own in the package. A 12-volt light is far easier and safer to work with compared to a 115-volt transformer.
In rare cases, if your light does not come with its own transformer, the total wattage of your light will grow depending on how many lights you install.
If you want to use the full potential of the transformer, don’t max the load of it. Only use it to 90% of its potential. This way you can use the lights without any issues.
For example, 300-watt transformers should only have around 270 watts of power. That means you could use 5 50watt lights and 1 20watt light.
Choose the Right Lights
When it comes to lights, there are millions of options available in the market. Not all of them are suitable for underwater uses. You can go for either halogen or LED lights. If you go for a halogen, just don’t get shocked when you notice the increased electricity bill.
Color Options
Most of the underwater LEDs will come in white color. But some like LEDPro™ Mini 1-Watt Light Kit comes with interchangeable lenses. You can use them to change the color to suit your mood.
There are also smart LED lights available on the market. Using the app on your phone, you can change the color of that LED. Be aware they are expensive and not waterproof. You need to make sure the sealing is 110% waterproof.
Soft Glow
If you want to create a soft faded glow, then buy a 10watt halogen and place it directly in the middle of the pond, or in the corner. It will create a soft faded glow that is relaxing to watch.
Installing Lighting
Now that we are done selecting lights and power supply, it’s time to install them.
You need to drain your pond before you install the lights. That’s why it’s best to install lights when it’s being constructed.
You can also install them while you are doing the annual pond cleaning.
Positioning the light in such a way, that it is facing the pond. Not towards the side or outside. If you place one light in each corner, then the visitor will be amazed by the beauty of the pond at night.
If your pond has a waterfall, you can also try to install a light under the main rock of the waterfall. This way the glow from the waterfall will look mesmerizing.
