How to building your Koi Pond.

If you are thinking of building a Koi pond there are some things that you need to consider. Obviously with any building project it is wise to have a plan. In your Koi pond plan you should factor in the size, materials you will use and where it will be located.

Koi Pond Size
Koi fish are relatively large and therefore require a large pond. The minimum length and width of a Koi pond is 360cm and 120cm. When calculating the capacity of the pond you should allow 350 liters per individual fish. Small Koi fish ponds are generally around the 2000 liter mark. As well as the capacity it is also important to think about the depth. The depth for a Koi pond should be 180cm if possible, though 135cm is acceptable. If you live in a colder climate, the deeper the pond you have, the more efficiently you will be able to regulate the temperature.

Building Materials
There are a variety of different materials that can be used to build Koi ponds. The most common material used is concrete for the sides and bottom as this is very watertight, though cinder blocks with a fiberglass coating can be used to act as a retainer for the dirt at either side of the pond hole. For something a little different, you can use pre-molded fiberglass structures similar to swimming pools. However, these do require a professional to carry out site preparations and digging prior to arranging the actual placing of the structure.

Location of the Pond
The location is very important. Koi fish require sunlight, but direct sunlight can actually burn their skin, so shading is needed as well. It is therefore best to place the pond near a wall or a tree that will provide passive shading. However, if this isn’t possible you need to incorporate things such as lilies, foliage or artificial covers into the design of your pond, to give the Koi areas to shade themselves. It is also important to take into consideration how visible your Koi will be in a particular location and if there will be too much glare and shadow.

Other considerations with regards to the location of a Koi pond are the water runoff from surrounding gardens and predators. The water run-off is especially important to consider if you use insecticide or fertilizer that could contaminate the pond. In order to deal with local predators such as foxes and large birds, you will have to invest in things like perimeter fencing and netting.

Though it may seem like a daunting task, especially considering the above, proper planning will make the building process more enjoyable. Putting foresight into the design and build will also ensure that you have a Koi pond that you can enjoy and keep fish in for many years.