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Building Koi Ponds

Building Koi ponds (or ponds for other fish for that matter) is similar to building water gardens for plants.

There are a few differences that you might consider when building Koi ponds.

Bored Fish

For example, if you are trying to grow fish, you may not want to bother trying to grow lilies in ponds that have too many large koi. These fish can (and likely will) make short work of water lilies as they get bored and decide to dig in the bottom or turn tubs upside down.

You can grow lilies and fish in the same water garden but you need to decide if this is the case as you’ll limit the number of fish. This section is about building fish ponds rather than full ecology ponds. See the other pond construction articles for building a pond for both fish and plants.

The articles linked to from this page will take you through the steps to building a pond specifically for enjoying fish.

In koi pond design there are a few basic decisions you have to make. Here’s my take on them.

Pond Heaters

Some fish pond lovers believe it is necessary to install a pond heater to keep their fish alive in the winter. There are some decisions to be made but for the most part, it isn't necessary unless you live in a very cold climate and have a very shallow pond.

One of the different approaches to growing fish is controlling pond algae without the use of plants. If you have high fish populations, the plants will suffer so here are the main ways fish enthusiasts control that dreaded green water.

Lazy Fish

If your fish are "lazy" or gasping at the pond surface, you likely have oxygen depletion. Here's a look at two systems of pond aerator and why you have to do something.

One of the things you have to know in the above situation is how to set up fish pond pumps for the number of fish in your pond.

Cleaning

Sooner or later (likely sooner) you're going to be faced with the annual job of cleaning fish ponds for the health of your fish. This once a year job is easier if you copy some of the things I do in my own ponds.








Do you have a question about Building Koi Ponds?