Do you plan to install a water pond for koi fish? Having these magnificent koi in your garden is an interesting hobby and it is not as difficult as most people imagine. With the right care koi fish live very long and get very big in size. Follow these tips to build your pond properly so your koi fish will live and make you happy for a long time.
Make your pond deep
Depth of your garden koi pond is very important. You pond should be at least 4 feet deep, however it is much better to provide for your fish six or even 8 feet deep pond. This will ensure that your koi are safe from raccoons, pet kitties and other animals who love a fish dinner. Deeper fish pond also helps to prevent pond from overheating in summer months
Koi really love a lot of room to swim
Small ponds are not appropriate 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 as time goes you will probably want to get other varieties. So it is better to create a big koi pond from the start than rebuild it later. About ten thousand gallons is suitable for a koi backyard pond , bigger would be even better.
Heat the water in colder months
Unlike tropical fish, koi don’t suffer much from cold; however you should never let your pond freeze to the bottom. Installing a proper heater for backyard ponds 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
Give your fish shade
When selecting where to place 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 design, 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 a nightmare.
Keep the birds away
There are many birds of prey that would eat your koi. Don’t give them the opportunity; plan your pond location so it is possible to protect it with a bird net.
Insectocides can kill your beautiful fish
When landscaping 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.
Koi fish pond acsessories that you might need
Several accessories are requared 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 koi might feel unwell. Koi pond filtration systems cost a lot, so to save you can make your own homemade filters.
I especially like the tip about adding shade. We had a koi pond years ago and it was pretty much in pure sun. Had algae blooms every summer and you could barely see the fish in it! Not a fun thing to try to get on top of. Shade makes that so much easier to manage!!!