Simply Ponds 2100 Review: Good Kit, Shallow Design Depth

A skimmer, a waterfall filter and a lifetime liner warranty, with a stated build depth of 1.5 feet.

The verdict: Buy it if you want a complete pond kit with a real skimmer for well under a thousand dollars and you are prepared to dig deeper than the stated design. Skip it if you build it exactly as specified and expect to keep koi, because 1.5 feet is a water garden depth and koi need more.

Specifications

Specifications above come from Simply Ponds' published product specifications. Treat pricing as approximate, since Amazon pricing moves.

What it does well

• A skimmer at this price is unusual, and skimming leaves before they sink is the single biggest maintenance reduction available in a pond.
• The variable speed pump lets you tune flow after the rock is set, and run lower in cooler months.
• Warranty terms are stated per component rather than as one vague figure, which is a good sign.
• Waterfall foam is included, and sealing the gaps between rocks is what stops water running under the falls instead of over them.
• A 15 by 20 liner gives you room to build deeper than the stated design if you reduce the surface footprint.

Where it falls short

• The stated design is 11 by 16 feet at 1.5 feet deep. That is a water garden. Koi need more depth for winter stability, summer temperature and protection from herons, and stocking koi at that depth is asking for trouble.
• You cannot have both the full 11 by 16 footprint and a koi-appropriate depth from one 15 by 20 liner. Depth costs footprint, and that trade needs deciding before you dig.
• A waterfall filter box with a filter mat is modest biological filtration. A real koi load will outrun it.
• Rock, gravel and excavation are not included and typically cost as much again.
• Once the liner is cut it cannot be returned, so measure and lay out the excavation before cutting anything.

What owners report

Owners consistently describe the kit as good value with genuinely useful components, and consistently note that they dug deeper than the instructions suggested once they read about koi requirements. The skimmer draws repeated praise. The most common criticism is filtration capacity once fish numbers grow, which is the expected outcome of a waterfall box doing biological duty for a fish pond.

Before you dig, run the numbers: the pond liner calculator shows what footprint and depth combinations a 15 by 20 liner actually supports, and the koi stocking calculator shows what your finished volume can hold. Koi pond vs water garden explains why the depth question matters more than the surface area does.

Who it suits

• Budget conscious first pond builders who still want a skimmer.
• Water garden keepers with plants and goldfish.
• Anyone willing to trade surface area for depth in the excavation.
• Builders who want per-component warranties rather than a single vague one.

Who should skip it

• Anyone building exactly to the stated 1.5 foot depth and then buying koi.
• Heavy fish loads, which need filtration well beyond a waterfall box.
• Buyers who have not budgeted for stone and soil removal.

Alternatives worth considering

Keep reading

• Koi pond vs water garden
• EPDM liner vs preformed pond
• Pond liner calculator
• Best pond liners
• Aquascape DIY Backyard Pond Kit review
• Lifeguard EPDM pond liner review

This review draws on published specifications, manufacturer figures and the consensus of verified owner reviews. We have not tested this product ourselves, and we say so rather than implying otherwise. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.