About Fish Ponds
Fish ponds allow you to create a serene place in your yard where you can go to relax and rejuvenate from the stress you face every day. Beautiful golden fish swimming among water plants surrounded by the sound of trickling water is one of the most relaxing scenes you can imagine. Does this Spark an idea?
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The Facts
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From a simple plastic pond buried in the ground to an elaborate system of water plants, waterfalls and living creatures, an outdoor pond can be a welcome oasis from the stress of modern life. Most do-it-yourself homeowners can put in a fish pond on their own with a little research. They are usually stocked with goldfish, typically a variety of Koi, and can withstand most outdoor weather with a little upkeep and the right equipment. Outdoor fish ponds also usually contain water plants to add beauty and help maintain the right water chemistry for the fish to live in the pond.
Features
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Building a pond starts with purchasing the right equipment. An outdoor pond will need some sort of filtration device, such as a pond filter, waterfall or skimmer. If the filter does not also aerate the water, you will need some type of aeration device, such as a fountain or waterfall. It will also need a liner. A water treatment to remove chlorine from the water is necessary if you are using tap water to fill the pond. Finally, you will finish the pond with decorations such as rocks, statues and plants. If you live in a climate where the water may freeze in the winter, invest in a pond heater.
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Type
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Choosing the type of liner for your fish pond is sometimes difficult. If you want something simple, chose a preformed liner that you set into the ground. These look like little fiberglass or plastic tubs that you drop into the hole you have dug. If you want to customize your fish pond, choose a flexible plastic or rubber liner that you can cut to the size or shape that you want. Rubber liners will withstand sun exposure better than plastic liners, but they are more expensive. The most durable liners are ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM) liners.
Size
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The larger your fish pond is, the more fish you will be able to put in it. The size will first be determined by the location you have chosen for your pond. Once you know where you want to put your pond, think about how many fish you would like to put in it and what kind they will be. A Koi pond should be at least 4 feet 6 inches deep and large enough to hold 1,500 gallons of water. A goldfish pond, however, can be shallower. The rule of thumb for a goldfish pond is to have 50 gallons of water per fish. This may look too big when you first buy the fish, as they are small, but remember that they grow quite large quite quickly.
Risk Factors
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Once you have stocked your pond with fish, make sure that you watch for certain problems that could kill your fish. Fish can run out of oxygen without proper filtration systems in place. If you see your fish gasping at the surface, make sure the filter and pump are working properly. Fish can also be harmed by poor water quality. Make sure that you dechlorinate the water and check the pH levels regularly with a water-testing kit. The pond's pH should be between 6.8 and 8.0. Finally, fish can catch diseases, so watch for signs of disease and remove or treat sick fish quickly.
Expert Insight
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When you are ready to stock your pond, choose your fish carefully. You can choose either Koi or goldfish. Fancy goldfish are not made to live in ponds, but common goldfish, shubunkins, comets, wakins, jikins, watonai and sabao are all goldfish varieties that are hardy enough for pond life. Never buy fish that show signs of disease such as white spots, missing or damaged fins, or poor energy levels. Choose fish with bright coloring, as they will make your pond truly beautiful.
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Resources
- Photo Credit Joan Kocur
