How to Build a Koi Pond With Concrete Walls
A koi pond can be a beautiful addition to any kind of backyard landscaping but it does require some planning and effort to install. Many homeowners use rigid pond forms or plastic liners to build their ponds but if you are looking for something a little more permanent, consider building your koi pond out of concrete. Concrete allows you to create smooth and even edges, though the permanence of this material makes it difficult to make changes if you need to in the future. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Chalk dust
- String
- Chicken wire
- Concrete
- Hand tamper
- Wood scraps
- Large plastic tarp
- Muriatic acid (optional)
- Rubber-based paint or masonry sealant
- Pond filtration system
- Substrate
- Aquatic plants
- Pond heater (optional)
Instructions
-
-
1
Select the site for your koi pond. It is best to locate the pond in a flat, open area that is not directly beneath large trees or at the base of a hill or slope. Once you have selected the location, draw the outline of the pond in chalk dust or lay a piece of string in the basic shape of the desired pond.
-
2
Dig out the hole for the koi pond. Keep in mind that the concrete walls will be at least 4 inches thick, so dig the hole deeper and wider than you want the interior space of the pond to be. If you want the pond to have shelves, dig out the deepest part first and widen the hole to the desired depth of the shelves.
-
-
3
Line the inside of the pond with chicken wire and mix a few bags of concrete according to the manufacturer's instructions. Pour the concrete into the bottom of the pond to a thickness of at least 15 cm; the thicker you pour the concrete, the less likely your pond will be to eventually develop hairline cracks.
-
4
Tamp down the concrete as it begins to set using a hand tamper to release any air bubbles. This will also help smooth out the concrete base. Allow the concrete pond base to dry.
-
5
Pour the walls. Pour the concrete to a thickness of at least 4 to 6 inches. If the walls of the pond are sloped, you may be able to pour the concrete directly. But if the walls are steep, create a border of wood scraps to keep the concrete from spreading as it sets.
-
6
Cover the pond with a large plastic tarp and allow the concrete to cure for at least 72 hours. The curing process will help prevent future problems with pH levels that often occur in concrete ponds. You may also choose to treat the concrete with muriatic acid before covering it with plastic to further prevent future pH problems.
-
7
Coat the interior of the pond with a rubber-based paint or masonry sealant and allow it to dry according to the time given on the manufacturer's instructions.
-
8
Install a pond filtration system according to the directions included. Be sure to select a pond filter large enough to accommodate the size of your pond. It is recommended that you select a filter that provides mechanical, chemical and biological filtration.
-
9
Fill the pond with water and add your choice of substrate and plants. Introduce koi to their new home. Maintain your pond by checking the pH regularly and install a pond heater if you live in an area where the pond might freeze in the winter.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Because concrete is less inconspicuous than most plastic pond liners you may need to get creative about disguising the border of the pond. Try topping the concrete border with large decorative rocks or use gravel to create a miniature rock garden around the pond. You might also plant a few spreading vines that will creep across the ground and eventually help disguise the concrete border.
References
- Photo Credit Hemera Technologies/Photos.com/Getty Images
