loader from loading.io

EP343: Random Flow Generation in Water and Why it Matters with Antonio Gutierrez of Vivid Creative Aquatics

The Pond Digger Podcast

Release Date: 10/13/2025

EP359: Iron Sharpens Iron - With Marvin & Nikki Joles of In The Mix Podcast show art EP359: Iron Sharpens Iron - With Marvin & Nikki Joles of In The Mix Podcast

The Pond Digger Podcast

Enjoy this conversation between Eric and the Jole's, Marvin & Nikki, focusing heavily on professional growth and community-building within the construction and asphalt industries. A central theme is the concept of "iron sharpens iron," which is discussed in the context of both personal development and professional accountability, particularly within coaching groups and through critiques during role-playing scenarios. The conversation highlights the unique work-life of one couple in the "dirt world" industry, covering topics like their joint attendance at industry conferences such as Equip...

info_outline
EP358: How One Event Flipped Our Hustle w/ Larry Delisanti of Side Hustle Squad Podcast show art EP358: How One Event Flipped Our Hustle w/ Larry Delisanti of Side Hustle Squad Podcast

The Pond Digger Podcast

Eric's guest today is Larry from the The main topic of conversation is Larry's experience attending the Exposition, initially for equipment viewing, which unexpectedly led to a complete transformation of his business model—starting with raising prices, moving to better employee treatment, and adopting software like Jobber to streamline operations and payment collection. Both Eric and Larry emphasize the profound value of networking and socializing at these events, often citing specific learning opportunities that occurred outside of formal sessions, like at the bar. Larry also shares his...

info_outline
EP357: How Contractors Can Use AI to Bring Ideas to Life show art EP357: How Contractors Can Use AI to Bring Ideas to Life

The Pond Digger Podcast

Today's show documents a lively, late-night brainstorming session between two friends, Eric and Tyson, who are discussing branding and identity for Tyson's elite fire suppression business, Acefire. Fueled by whiskey and a fire in the background, the conversation quickly turns to leveraging ChatGPT, an AI tool, to formalize an "elite" group identity and an accompanying mascot, logo, and motto for Tyson's top employees. They discuss inspiration from military and fire department "brotherhood" aesthetics, focusing on a Reaper figure as a protector, and collaborate with the AI in real-time to...

info_outline
EP356: Negotiations Under Fire: Lessons From The FBI Down To The Jobsite show art EP356: Negotiations Under Fire: Lessons From The FBI Down To The Jobsite

The Pond Digger Podcast

Eric speaks with two former law enforcement officers, Chris and Dave, regarding their experiences with hostage negotiation training and undercover work, particularly on a Vice detail involving arrests for public indecency and the pursuit of pedophiles. They discuss how the principles of negotiation skills, such as active listening, mirroring, and building rapport, are surprisingly transferable to the world of sales and everyday life. The conversation shifts to intense anecdotes from their police careers, including a close-quarters knife fight and the emotionally challenging nature of...

info_outline
EP355: Will ChatGPT Kill Google—and What It Means for Contractors show art EP355: Will ChatGPT Kill Google—and What It Means for Contractors

The Pond Digger Podcast

Timothy Warren of joins Eric on today's podcast. He discusses the impact of ChatGPT on the search industry and specifically on Google. Warren explains that Google had a "red alert" meeting after Chat GPT launched because the AI tool is superior to Google for complex search queries, though Google remains better for commercial, location-based searches. The discussion covers the history and rapid adoption of ChatGPT, Google's strategic response with tools like Gemini and AI Overviews—which are hurting many websites' traffic but serving Google's need to compete—and the changing landscape of...

info_outline
EP354: Rise of the LawnBots: The Future Is Already Mowing show art EP354: Rise of the LawnBots: The Future Is Already Mowing

The Pond Digger Podcast

Eric has a conversation with Todd Zimmerman discussing , a company focused on electrification and robotization in the landscaping industry, particularly through the use of artificial intelligence (AI). Kress offers two main product lines: professional-grade 60-volt battery-powered tools for commercial landscapers and a pro-grade homeowner line, both utilizing advanced battery technology for power and cost savings. The core of the discussion centers on their autonomous robotic mowers, including the homeowner-focused iPilot and the commercial-grade Voyager, which use a combination of RTK, stereo...

info_outline
EP353: Finding Your Voice with Mr. Producer show art EP353: Finding Your Voice with Mr. Producer

The Pond Digger Podcast

Eric sat down with , a seasoned podcast producer and former radio professional, to discuss his career journey and the evolution of audio communication. Mr. Producer shares how a chance encounter at age fifteen led him to a job in radio, detailing his practice of cultivating a powerful voice for the airwaves. A significant portion of the conversation focuses on the shift from traditional radio to the rise of podcasting, highlighting how the fragmented media landscape has replaced the communal listening experience of the past. Mr. Producer also recounts his involvement as an "early adopter" of...

info_outline
EP352: Who You Become When Your Back Is Against A Wall w/ Libby Delucien show art EP352: Who You Become When Your Back Is Against A Wall w/ Libby Delucien

The Pond Digger Podcast

Eric chats with and they discuss her remarkable journey from hitting rock bottom after a separation—being locked out of her house with nothing—to becoming a successful entrepreneur in the home service and software industries. She details how she leveraged her experience and skills to launch an organizing and cleaning company which quickly grew, leading to the creation of three separate software solutions for the industry. A significant portion of the conversation focuses on business philosophy, including the importance of a strong "why," leadership strategies, such as family quarterly...

info_outline
EP351: Building A Water Feature Business w/ Tyler Fisher of Atlantic-Oase show art EP351: Building A Water Feature Business w/ Tyler Fisher of Atlantic-Oase

The Pond Digger Podcast

Eric speaks with Tyler Fisher about building and improving water feature businesses. They discuss a series of upcoming hands-on training sessions offered by at their Aurora, Ohio, facility during the winter months. These intensive three-day courses are designed to teach contractors and DIY enthusiasts skills ranging from installing fountains and formal spillways to advanced koi pond biology and maintenance, with a strong emphasis on getting practical experience rather than just classroom instruction. The training, which is notably affordable and includes hotel and meals, is presented as an...

info_outline
EP350: Unlock or Stay Stuck w/ Jonas Olson The Pest Control Millionaire show art EP350: Unlock or Stay Stuck w/ Jonas Olson The Pest Control Millionaire

The Pond Digger Podcast

Today's podcast interview is with Jonas Olson, the "," where he and Eric discuss his rapid business growth and entrepreneurial philosophy. Olson emphasizes the importance of a strong mindset, competitiveness, and calculated risk-taking to achieve success, drawing on his personal history of being the youngest of four competitive siblings and working hard on a farm. A significant portion of the conversation is dedicated to overcoming business plateaus, such as the $2 million revenue "black hole," which Olson attributes to being the bottleneck and the necessity of hiring skilled integrators and...

info_outline
 
More Episodes

Antonio Gutierrez of Vivid Creative Aquatics joins Eric discussing the Random Flow Generator (RFG) nozzle, a product designed to create non-laminar, turbulent, and natural water flow in enclosed systems like aquariums and ponds. The conversation highlights the counterintuitive nature of the product's function, often leading to user disbelief until they see it in action, which is facilitated by its unique, non-mechanical internal design. Gutierrez explains that the RFG works by generating pressure imbalances that result in randomized directional pulses of water, unlike traditional directional nozzles, and notes that the product, which is manufactured using 3D printing, can effectively replace multiple traditional powerheads in a reef tank. The discussion also touches on the potential applications of the technology in different environments, such as ponds and specialized reptile enclosures, where natural circulation is beneficial for the health of fish and other organisms.

Key Takeaways:

  • Prioritize creating natural, turbulent water movement in your aquatic systems to mimic ocean or river environments.
  • Focus on providing random, varied flow to encourage fish to swim and forage naturally, instead of hiding in calm areas.
  • Utilize randomized flow patterns to keep debris suspended, reducing the frequency of cleaning needed in tanks or ponds.
  • Understand that achieving proper water circulation can be more critical to coral and aquatic life health than maximizing light intensity alone.
  • Choose advanced flow devices that operate without internal moving mechanical parts to prevent equipment failure and rust.

đź”— Links and Resources

Business & Sales Tools

Pond Industry Resources

Events & Communities

Social Media