When designing and building any project mistakes can be difficult and costly to correct. All too often we hear the words "If I was doing this again I would do it quite differently." Unfortunately perhaps no design is ever perfect but it helps to give your proposed Koi Pond project a lot of thought before your start. More than likely this will be your first attempt at building a Koi pond and unless you are not careful you will be frustrated with not only your mistakes but also your design omissions You dream of making your Koi Garden a real showpiece so let's look at drawing up a check list of features to include and mistakes to avoid.
Your Koi Pond - Get the Size Right
Fully grown Koi are a large fish and they need a lot of room. If you buy your Koi the size of Goldfish don't forget they will grow. Don't ever think that Koi will thrive in a very small pond. Koi only thrive in the largest of aquariums and do much better in a well designed larger pond. Obviously your design will be limited by your available space but if space is not an issue then consider the number of Koi you plan to keep and plan your pond size accordingly. That being said the pond has to sit well in your Koi garden and while not dominating your garden, the Koi pond needs to be its focal point.
Your Koi Pond - Water Depth
If you live in a very cold or hot climate make sure your pond is deep enough for your extremes in either winter or summer or maybe even both seasons. Get advice. Koi will not do well if water temperatures are too low or too high. The greater the volume of water the greater buffer you have against your extremes in temperature. Water depth is also helpful in your fight against natural predators, birds like herons love to fish in your pond but if the water is deep enough they will not be able to wade in your pond. It can also be helpful to have steep sides to your pond which can hold back cats, dogs and other animals from fishing from the edges of the pools. Unfortunately even domestic predators can do a lot of damage in your Koi garden.
Your Koi Pond - Shade
This can easily be overlooked. In the height of summer your Koi will need shade. If your pond is not shaded naturally by a tree or trees then you will need to supply shade in the form of plant life either within or around the pond. While an overhead tree can provide shade it can also be the source of much pollution and this needs to be considered when planning where to site your pond. Also remember that Koi can be quite aggressive and destructive of plant life within the pond and measures will need to be taken to protect your plants from the attacks that can come from your Koi.
Your Koi Pond - Natural Filtration
In nature pumps and filters are not necessary. This is because plant life will absorb the pollutants fish like Koi constantly excrete. Many water plants will feed on the ammonia and other pollutants given off by the fish thereby cleaning the water. Plant life in your Koi pond can greatly assist the work of your filtration system. However since Koi can be quite destructive one clever plan is to have your pond divided, one for plants and the other for the Koi. Dividing your pond in two one higher than the other with say a waterfall between has many advantages. The plant life in the upper pool can do all the beneficial work without damage from the Koi. The water is further aerated as it falls over the waterfall. As already indicated Koi will need plant life in their pond for shade and these plants can be protected by having your plants in pots but with their rims just up to the surface of the pond. With careful design it is possible to have an algae free pond but you will need vigorous plant life within your system to achieve this. Algae can be a real problem but it need not be provided your initial pond design has taken this issue into consideration. Plant life is your best line of defence and obviously and integral part of your Koi garden.
Your Koi Pond - Drainage
It is important to ensure that any storm-water runoff does not enter your pond. If your area is subject to heavy downpours of rain one storm could destroy your pond life. Apart from the debris carried by the storm-water, which could pollute your pond as it rots on the bottom, storm-water could carry garden fertilizers and chemicals like weed killers into your pond and kill your Koi. It is very important to ensure that drains rainwater can not work in your pond. Never underestimate the amount of rain can cause flooding, the good in a storm. If your pond is in the lower part of your garden Koi thinking of flooding and take steps to ensure that discharges are not blocked.
Your Koi Pond - Pumps and Filters
Make sure you do the math. Do you know the amount of water in your pond. Knowing how to keep koi and make sure the pump and filtration system capable of addressing the plan isIs called to process waste. Do not cut the edges must be fine enough space to work with all the adverse conditions that may arise to overcome. Will ensure that the pumps and filters are installed properly, enclosed in a suitable enclosure, powered by underground cables installed professionally and legally, preferably from an authorized dealer. Visible damage pipes and filters the definition of a garden and koi should be hidden. The pumps are usually submerged in the same pond, but access tois crucial for the maintenance. Make sure all of your support system accessible for maintenance, which is still ongoing, it is.
Your Koi Pond - Security
Nothing to destroy your enjoyment of your garden koi more than one child drowning in your pool. Fences, nets and other protective measures do not destroy the aesthetic aspects of your garden, but children's safety are not compromised or ignored. In most cases the installation of your pond will need the Council and isunlikely to receive unless you have addressed these concerns. One feature that could be taken into account, is a black mesh installed just below the water surface. Often, these networks can be an invisible barrier and child-safe. The way we design and build your pool to ensure that the still strong in the sides of the pond in which these networks can be installed by building black. How many of your questions if you do it right the pond, while in the design and implementation of the solution of thisProblems is much easier.
Your Koi Pond - Well Designed
A koi pond can be well designed a wonderful addition to your garden. It should look natural and fit well in your landscape. Your success in large part on how you plan to keep Koi various functions of the pond. Do it well and keep Koi is not only a joy, but not so difficult either. This checklist is not complete, you need all the other issues that are unique and add your specificLocation, location and design. Your Koi Garden, the jewel you are dreaming, if your on the right side of planning.
To further explore the world of Koi http://www.koihowto.com go where many other questions will be discussed to keep Koi.
