Koi pond construction is relatively easy with a little basic know how. Koi are beautiful colored fish that can grow quite large and enjoy longevity. They are fish originally from Asia and have long been associated with tranquility, peace and beauty.

Koi pond construction can be undertaken by any home owner. Of course, the size and depth of the koi pond construction might make the undertaking more difficult and longer than anticipated. You might like to start with a small pond that can house just less than ten fish to be able to get the hang constructing your pond.

Options for Koi Pond Construction

Depending on what you prefer your koi pond can either be above ground or dug in the ground. There are merits and demerits for both kinds of koi ponds. Above ground koi pond construction entail putting a barrier (usually made from cement or wood and then lined with plastic) to form the basic structure of the koi pond. If you want a deeper pond, you will have to dig several feet under ground and take out the soil to make an effective koi pond. A liner is most likely still needed if you dig for a pond since most soil absorb water and cannot retain it.

An aerator, filter and pond pump is needed for an efficient koi pond. The area of the construction must be considered for space and sunlight. A larger koi pond is better for the fish and plant life that you will need to put into it. Plant life and vegetation are great for fish because it gives them shade and food at the same time. A pond that is too shallow will most likely heat up under the intense heat of the sun, causing your fish to die. Make sure that it is deep enough to sustain the right water temperatures.

Before embarking in your koi pond construction, make sure that you have correctly measured the area. The liner you will use to prevent the water from seeping out should also be measured correctly. It is better to have an excess of liner than a shortage. The edges of the liner should be fixed in place firmly to avoid it falling into the koi pond. You can cover the edges of the plastic liner to make the pond look more natural. Heavy rocks can be used to anchor the liner because tearing into it with pegs can cause these holes to become larger in time. Doing your own koi pond construction can be very fulfilling but make sure you allot enough time and money for it.

Make your pond deep

Depth of your garden koi pond is important for the health of your fish. The minimum recommended depth is 4 feet, however it is is a good idea to provide for your fish six or even 8 feet deep pond. This will ensure that your koi are safe from raccoons, household cats and other animals dangerous to fish. Deeper fish pond also helps to maintain water temperature in the middle of summer

Larger pond – happier fish

Small ponds are not appropriate for koi. Remember, with time koi can grow quite large and they will need some space. Also there are so many color variations of koi, that as time goes you will probably want to add more fish to your pond. So it is better to create a large pond from the start than rebuild it later. About ten thousand gallons is suitable for a koi pond , bigger would be even better.

Provide some heating in winter

Unlike tropical fish, koi are resistant to the 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 fish only grow when the water is warm, so with a heater your fish will grow faster.

Plan some shade for your koi

When selecting where to place your pond, make sure it is out of direct sun. Also keeping water plants like water lilies in your pond are a good idea - not only they add beauty to the overall look of your pond, 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 can become a hard work.

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 cover it with a net for garden ponds. When planning your pond keep in mind that you should not use any insecticides or herbicides near the water. Even a small amount of common garden poison can kill your beautiful fish.

Several accessories are required for a healthy koi pond. Ideally you should get 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 are pricey, so to save you can make your own homemade filters.

You need to find out from your local zoning board or authorities if you are permitted to build an above ground koi pond on your property. You may already have a pond on your property and now wish to stock it with koi.

Recommended Koi Habitat

Koi are big. They will not survive in small areas. Ideally, an above ground koi pond should contain about 1000 gallons, which is about 48 square feet. If your pond is a lot smaller than this, then you could consider feeder goldfish instead.

In order to be able to live in the above ground koi pond year round, it needs to be at least three feet deep. Not only will this help them to survive the winter, but will assist their survival in the height of summer. If your pond gets too hot, the koi will die of a fish version of heatstroke, with a deep pond, they can chill out in cooler water.

Water Filtration

All ponds must have a filtration system, not just above ground koi ponds. This keeps the water from turning stagnant and also keeps the chemical composition of your pond water stable. Any massive changes in water chemistry will stress out the koi and they will die. Also, stagnant water encourages algae growth and mosquitoes. You will have to hook the filter to a power source.

Protect From Predators

Koi are considered delicacies to a large number of North American wildlife, including domestic cats. Raccoons are experts at fishing and so are birds of prey which swoop down from above. Some sort of scarecrow is recommended near your above ground koi pond, preferably one that can suddenly blast noise. Very thin netting is also an option, but this will make pond maintenance a bit more labor intensive. An electric fence can scare off many predators, including raccoons.

Also, other predators could be other kinds of fish. Be very careful what fish are introduced into your above ground koi pond and be careful not to overstock the pond; the koi may turn on each other in the competition for resources.