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Sean Lightbourne, often known as The Pond Guy, is a person who designs incredible aquascapes for his clientele. “Growing up, I always desired to have a fish pond, but my family could not afford one. As a youngster, though, we were rebuilding our bathroom, I was able to use the old bathtub as the first pond I ever created. Currently, I am constructing 100-by-100-foot, 12-foot-deep ponds for clients. That would be equivalent to about 2,000 bathtubs. The pastime I began as a youngster is now a profession that I look forward to every morning.

Sean studied professional at the Aquascape at Aqualand in Illinois, where he studied water feature care & maintenance, pond ecology, and pond construction, among other topics. He is the only certified aquascape contractor in the Bahamas, and he has trapped a unique market. Sean returns annually to pondemonium in Chicago Land area to update his certification. Sean has worked with some of the industry’s greatest personalities, including Greg Wittstock “The Pond Guy”, Ed Beaulieu “The Pond Professor”, Brian & Chris. Hosts of the popular Youtube channel “The Pond Guy” and Team Aquascape. During his travels has also worked with Wade and Brent the Host of the popular animal planet reality program “Tanked”, which is one of the largest maker of aquariums in the United States of America.

History of Sean Lightbourne The '242 Pond Guy' Making Dreams Come True

Friday, May 13, 2022

Sean Lightbourne’s passion for aquatic life began in his youth and has blossomed into a successful career. Known as the ‘242 Pond Guy,’ Sean has turned his love for aquascaping into a thriving business, creating stunning water features for clients.

Early Beginnings

Growing up, Sean always wanted a fish aquarium, but it was not something his family could afford. During a home renovation, he repurposed an old bathtub into his first pond. This childhood hobby has evolved into a career where he now designs ponds that are 100×100 feet and 12 feet deep. “The hobby that started when I was a child is now a career that I wake up every morning excited to do,” he shared with Tribune Weekend.

Professional Training and Certification

Sean pursued professional training at the Aquascape Academy in Illinois, where he learned about water feature maintenance, pond ecology, and pond construction. He is currently the only certified aquascape contractor in the Bahamas. He returns to Illinois annually for recertification and has collaborated with prominent figures in the industry, including Wayde King and Brett Raymer, stars of the Animal Planet reality show Tanked. The duo operates Acrylic Tank Manufacturing, the largest aquarium-building manufacturer in the US.

Business Growth and Services

Since founding his company, Aquaria 242, Sean has become well-known in his niche market. “Aqua landscaping is all about creating a water-based environment for my clients to enjoy,” he explained. His services include designing ponds, fountains, waterfalls, fish tanks, and pondless ponds (waterfalls that disappear into an underground reservoir). Over the past 15 years, Sean’s business has grown significantly. The pandemic notably increased demand, as people sought to create their own private oases at home. Currently, his company is booked until December, and he leads a team of three employees

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