How to Expand a Koi Pond
Many homeowners who start with a modest koi pond enjoy it so much they begin thinking about a larger pond. Enlarging the pond also may become necessary if the koi grow and reach a size too large for the space. There is no simple way to expand a koi pond. In fact, the process is closer to removing the current pond and constructing the new pond in the same location. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Plan the pond expansion. Utilizing current stone and water fall features will reduce the cost and effort required for the expanded koi pond. Using the current pump and piping also is a major cost saver if they have enough capacity for a larger pond. If a larger capacity pump system is required, the old system may need to be removed.
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Capture the koi and move them to a temporary tank. People living in northern climates most likely already have a small indoor koi tank used to keep the fish over the winter. Keeping the fish in a small tank will require extra aeration and cleaning, including frequent changes of the water.
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Remove any features from the old pond that will not be part of the expanded pond. Excavate the area for the new pond and create the new banks. Cover the bottom of the enlarged pond with a pond liner and add any features and stone work required. Add the pump and pipe work, if necessary, required for the water circulation. Continue with other decorative features desired.
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Fill with water and allow the system to circulate for a couple of days before returning the fish. Confirm the water in the pond and the water in the temporary tank are near the same temperature before returning the fish to the pond.
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Tips & Warnings
Another option is to build a second pond at a higher or lower level than the current pond and connect the two with a waterfall. This has the advantage of leaving the current pond in place during the construction of the new pond. The disadvantage is the koi cannot move between the two ponds.
References
- Photo Credit contented koi image by Geoff Hobbs from Fotolia.com
