Do It Yourself Koi Pond Construction
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.
Factors To Consider About Above Ground Koi Ponds
If you are considering starting an above ground koi pond there are a few elements to evaluate. They take a lot of time and commitment.
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
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.
