Everything You Need To Learn About Building Your Koi Pond Water Garden

If you want to keep koi, you will need to build them their habitat. It will be harsh to keep your koi fish in an aquarium because they can grow large and will need ample space and also depth to swim about. You need to make a koi pond water garden. With a well-planned and properly designed koi pond water garden, you will be giving your fish a great environment where they can flourish and grow more lovely as they mature.

Planning Your Koi Pond

You will need to properly plan the specific features of your koi pond water garden. The most typical mistake of first time koi keepers is building their pond too small. If you do so, you will be limiting the number of fish and plants that you can add into the water garden. According to experts, the minimum volume capacity of a koi pond water garden should be at the very least a thousand gallons. The depth has to be at least 3 feet although 4 to 5 feet depth are more desirable.

Beyond the volume capacity and depth, however, you will also need to be worried about the surface area when finding out the stocking density of your pond. Koi are large and need a lot of dissolved oxygen in the water. And, dissolved oxygen is obtained normally from the atmosphere at the pond's surface. Insufficient supply of oxygen will strain the fish and raise their chances of being sick.

If you cannot provide the required surface area, or if you intend to increase your koi population in the same pond, you can make use of a biofiltration system. Using waterfalls with small steps can also boost the oxygen levels in your koi pond water garden. More than just being functional, your waterfalls can also add visual and audible appeal to your pond.

If you wish to see more of your fish, keep away from a circular design with a deep center. The koi will tend to stay around the center and often at the bottom so you will not be able to keep an eye on them properly. An irregular pond shape is better; have the deepest areas of the pond within a few feet of the edge so you can see more of the fish.

Where to Set Your Koi Pond Water Garden

You can appreciate your pond more if it is constructed near your house. Choose a spot where you can see the pond all year round. The pond should not be on the receiving end of runoff rain to avoid getting fertilizers, chemicals as well as biological debris into your pond water. See how you will need to change the topography to separate the pond.

Outdoor ponds often attract wildlife including predators such as herons, kingfishers, cats, raccoons, foxes as well as badgers. They can swiftly eat your fish and empty your pond. You will need to provide for overhangs above the water to stop mammals from reaching in. The depth of your pond will stop herons from standing in your pool. Your shade trees can shield your koi from the aerial view of predatory birds. If required, you may have to use string nets or wires over the surface of your koi pond water garden.