The owner of Hill Top Aquatic Gardens is no stranger to the art of water gardening and pond management. David Reist has dedicated his life to serving hobbyist with an interest in water gardening even before water gardening became popular in the United States. David built his first pond in 1986 while attending high school and has never stopped perusing his dream. Shortly after building his first pond he developed a small pond cleaning business originally called Pond Scummers. The name drew much attention and he quickly began expanding his education on construction, aquatic plants, fish and fish health, and aquaculture. While attending Millersville University he never thought that this passion would change his life.

In 1993 David began a new challenge, that of designing a product that would eventually change the method of fertilizing water plants on a global scale. With pen, paper, and some pieces of PVC he designed an aquatic plant fertilizing applicator that would receive a United States Patent in 1999. His research in water plant nutrition was a combination of years of experimenting and practical testing through the Botany Department at Millersville University. His product has won the praise of the largest water garden retailers across the United States. This product is now manufactured and sold by a company by the name of aKwatiK Inc. The aKwatiK Lily Feeder is now sold and used as far as New Zealand.

As David kept building his knowledge and expanding his business he found himself being interviewed by the media and giving many lectures on this form of back yard art. The new millennium book marked yet another highlight for the business at Hill Top, the water garden art trend exploded in popularity. David and his crew of six were booked with appointments non-stop with new pond installations and pond cleanings for the entire season.

During the winter season of 2000-2001 while taking a well deserved break from all the installation and maintenance jobs, but still raising Koi, all types of pond fish, and aquatic plants David decided to hire someone to help him manage the crew and to take over in the sales of all that the company now has to offer.

Early in 2001 Scott Davis was brought on board as the Director Of Sales. Scott brings with him a vast array of pet and animal knowledge including nutrition. Scott has worked in the pet industry since 1989 and was a Multi Unit Manager for a large Canadian Pet Retail Chain. Scott offers his knowledge and experience with water garden design, aquatic disease as well as water conditioning to sustain aquatic life. With Scott's knowledge, management and sales skills and the combination of experience with David and his workforce; it is no surprise that 2004 has already proved to be the best year for the company.

Hill Top Aquatic Gardens now designs, installs, cleans, and offers full operational maintance contracts on all types of water gardens (indoors or outdoors), fountains, container gardens, tabletop water features, and farm ponds. Hill Top raises and sells Koi and all types of pond fish and pond supplies.

David chose to keep his business in Lancaster County where he was raised and where his business started. While he has been encouraged to expand once again, his values are to remain the same as to when he started back in 1986- Dedication to the consumers that want the expert service and unmatched experience that he and his staff delivers.

We have had many requests by our customers throughout the past couple of years asking if we do Mail Order or if we have a web site to purchase from. We listened to the wants of our customers and we continue to receive calls from people out of state asking for advice with their water gardens. So we now have developed our web site where you can learn, grow and purchase all your pond supplies from the comfort of your own home.

Hill Top Aquatic Gardens is now one of the only aquatic businesses in the Lancaster/York/Harrisburg area that is known as the fish health specialists.