How to Build a Koi Pond
The location of your pond is very important. It needs to be close to the house for electricity. It also needs to be out of direct sunlight, so the water doesn’t get too hot. When the water gets too warm it can make algae grow rapidly. The shade is good, but then you have leaves and roots to deal with too. If you put it in direct sunlight you can add some floating plants or a bridge to give your pond some shade.
Do you want goldfish or koi? Koi are very beautiful and hardy. However they can grow to be three feet in length. This is important to consider. If you want a small pond you should probably go with the goldfish.
The depth of the pond also needs to be planned. It should be deep enough to protect them from freezing and protect them from predators. It also need to allow plenty of room for your fish to swim.
You need to figure out some type of shelter for your fish. You can build a ledger and add as many plants as you want to give them a place to hide.
Several types of materials are used for building your pond. You can use concrete, but beware the lime can be toxic to your fish. Pre-molded liners are very common. They are simple to set up, but they can be a little small if you want koi. Flexible liners are good if you have a unique design for your pond. Rubber liner can be bought specifically for pond use. That way it’s fish friendly.
Dig your hole before you buy your liner. That way you will be sure to get enough liner. Always buy a little extra.
Decorating your pond is where you can make it your own. You have a lot of different options. You can do an island, waterfall, fountains, plants, a bridge and even lights.
Plants are great for the water and provide a place for your fish to hide. They can also add shade to your pond. You can get floating plants, shallow plants, and submerged plants. Be careful with the floating plants so your fish don’t eat them right away.
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Koi Fish Ponds Made Easy
*Flexible Liner Tips
Walk with your bare feet to avoid tearing the liner. Use seaming tape at the folds to avoid debris or fish getting caught in them. Let the tape cure for 24 hours before filling pond.
*Preformed liner tips- Use a level to make sure the bottom and shelves are level. Also use level after liner has been placed in hole. Use a mix of sand and soil to back fill around liner.
*Concrete tips- Pour all your concrete in one day. Make sure it slopes to a drain in the center. Have at least an inch above the surface to stop runoff from entering the pond.
Flexible preformed pond liners for streamlined pond construction. Innovative pond liner system available in many popular pond designs.
Pond Kit
Great for outdoor ponds, the 42-Gallon Pond Kit includes a 42-gallon preformed liner, 600 gallons/hour pump for continuous operation, a pump pre-filter, a waterbell fountain nozzle with extension tube, 15-foot cord, and more.
