How to Plan for a Koi Fish Pond

Maintaining a koi pond is a formidable hobby..

Building a koi fish pond can be quite demanding. Since koi are fast growing, require good water quality and produce a lot of waste, there are a number of important things to consider before building your koi fish pond. Careful planning will insure that once your koi pond is built, it will be easy to maintain.

Instructions

1. Make the pond as big as you can. Koi start off small, roughly 6 inches, but in a few years they can grow up to 24 inches. A koi pond should contain at least 1500 gallons of water and be approximately 7 feet wide, 8 feet long and 4 feet deep. If it is less than 1,500 gallons, there is a good chance the koi will be eaten by predators such as cats, raccoons, ducks and turtles.

2. Choose a location that is out of direct sunlight. Koi enjoy shaded areas, and shade will also insure the water doesn't become too hot during the summer. A shaded area will also help slow the growth of algae. Make sure the pond is situated in an area you would like to view it from, such as near the back deck or beside the patio.

3. Select a water pump that will move the largest amount of water for the least amount of money. The pump will be running 24 hours a day and will be sending the pond water through a filter every 2 to 3 hours, so choose an efficient one.

4. Purchase a big pond filter. Filters are one of the most important aspects of koi ponds. Filters keep the water healthy for koi by removing their waste and other impurities.

5. Install ultraviolet lights to avoid algae blooms. Ultraviolet lights kill algae that float on the surface of the water, which will save your pond from turning green.

6. Get a heater for the pond if it gets cold where you live. Koi don't eat when the water gets colder than 50 degrees. When koi don't eat, they don't grow.

7. Add a protein skimmer to the list of your pond supplies. Skimmers collect leaves and other unwanted debris from koi ponds. They also skim off organic compounds that leave film and bubbles on the surface of the pond.

8. Decide whether you want a concrete pond or a rubber liner pond. Concrete ponds are more permanent, but they maintain high pH levels for several years. Rubber liner ponds are not as permanent, but maintain a neutral pH balance. The rubber also creates a softer surface for the koi.

9. Do not put any plants inside your koi pond. If you do include plants, you may not be able to use jets in the pond. Plants also attract parasites that are harmful to koi. Koi love to eat plants, so they won't last long anyway. Since koi love to hide inside plants, it will be harder for you to catch your koi if the need ever arises.

10. Consider installing a drain in your pond. Drains maintain proper water quality and help in getting rid of waste.

11. Include jets in your koi pond. They direct leaves and debris towards the skimmer, provide exercise for the fish and increase the overall oxygen level in the water.

12. Think about how many fish you want to keep in your pond. A 1,500 gallon pond can hold about 30 6-inch koi. However, these fish will grow quite a bit in a few years, so cut this amount by half. Ten to 15 koi will decrease the chances of an overcrowded pond.

13. Choose which type of koi you want to have in your pond. There are a variety of koi in different shapes and colors, so pick the ones you like best.

14. Check to see if any of the pet shops in your neighborhood carry koi food. Any commercial koi food will do. Pond koi also love to eat spirulina, a nutritional blue-green algae.

15. If you are not going to build the pond yourself, interview builders who might, paying close attention to their workmanship and experience level. If possible, find a builder who specializes in koi ponds. Be sure the builder understands the design and any other specifics you would like to include in your pond. Don't leave the building of the pond entirely up to the builder. Remain active in the whole process and make sure your koi pond is built to your exact specifications.

Tips & Warnings

• You should continuously monitor the ammonia and nitrite levels in your pond.

• Test the chlorine, pH, alkalinity, hardness, salinity, phosphate, copper, nitrate, and oxygen levels on a regular basis to maintain a healthy environment for your koi.

• Remember that chlorinated water will kill your koi.

References

• Mid-Columbia Koi & Pond Club: Steps to Building a Great Pond