Do you plan to install a koi pond in your garden? Having these colorful koi in your backyourd pond is very rewarding and it is not as time and money consuming as most people imagine. If you do the right things koi live for several year and even decades and get very big in size. Follow these simple rules to build your fish pond properly so your koi will live long and happy life.
Depth is important
Depth of your fish pond is crucial. The minimum recommended depth is 4 feet, however it is much better to give your fish six or even 8 feet deep pond. This will ensure that your koi are safe from raccoons, household cats and other animals who can empty your pond. Deeper fish pond also helps to keep water cool in the middle of summer
Koi really love a lot of room to swim
Small ponds are not suitable for koi. Remember, with time koi can grow quite large and they will need a big space. Also there are so many color variations of koi, that with time you will probably want to get other varieties. So it is better to create a large pond from the start than rebuild it later. About ten thousand gallons is suitable for a koi garden pond , bigger would be even better.
Use fish pond heater in colder months
Unlike tropical fish, koi are adapted to cold; however you should never let your pond freeze all the way. Installing a proper pond heater will always keep an opening in the ice. Also keep in mind, that koi only grow when the water is warm, so with a heater your fish will grow faster
Plan some shade for your koi
When selecting a spot for your pond, make sure it is out of direct sunlight. Also keeping water plants like water lilies in your pond are a good idea - not only they add beauty to the overall look of your pond, but they also provide shade for the fish. However, you should avoid building your koi pond in aria with many trees. Cleaning a fish pond of fallen leaves is no fun.
Keep the birds away
There are many birds of prey that would love to steal your koi. Don’t give them the opportunity; plan your pond location so it is possible to protect it with a net.
Keep insecticides away from your pond
When designing your pond keep in mind that you should not use any insecticides or herbicides so they can get into the wate. Even a small amount of common garden poison can destroy your beautiful fish.
Get proper equipment for your pond
Several accessories are nessesary for a healthy koi pond. Ideally you will have to invest into a water pump, filtration system, pond water aerator and an ultraviolet sterilizer. If the water in your pond is not moving, your fish might get sick and eventually die. Koi pond filtration systems are pricey, so as an alternative you can make your own homemade filters.
