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Making A Koi Pond

10/28/2014

 
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On the ten year plan for Tom & myself is building a koi pond in our backyard. So we really enjoyed this post on said topic. If you’re interested in building a pond dedicated to koi fish we have some incredible design ideas to consider. Not only are koi fish beautiful to look at, studies have shown that the relaxing environment they provide actively improves the health of those who’ve suffered from stress-related illnesses like high-blood pressure and certain heart defects. 

What You Need to Know Before You Build

Remember though, that before you construct a dedicated koi pond you need to be aware of how to properly maintain it to reduce the risk of your koi becoming ill. It needs to be at least three feet deep, leaving twenty-five feet of the pond per koi, and a minimum of one thousand gallons of water. Preferably half of the pond should be shaded to allow them to get out of the sun. If your pond is going to be under direct sunlight, use floating plants like water lilies to give the koi places to rest.

When it comes to cleaning your pond, all solid waste from the bottom of the pond needs to be removed. Waste as well as debris from fallen leaves and uneaten food will build up over time, but while koi fish produce a lot of waste they are relatively easy to maintain when you have the right equipment.

You’ll need to shop from specialist equipment carriers to keep your pond clean, the water clear, and your koi healthy. There are two types of filtration: mechanical and biological. Mechanical filtration, such as drainage systems, filters, and pond skimmers, traps the waste whereas biological filtration involves introducing good bacteria to convert the toxins left over into harmless substances. After the waste is cleared and removed through a pond sieve the water needs to be filtered and returned via the circulation of jets below the waterline. 

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Design Ideas

Building a bridge - fitting your pond with a bridge is a great design idea. Even relatively small ponds can be enhanced with a bridge and you can use whatever materials best suit your style. If you have younger children around this could be a fun way for them to interact with the koi. If you’re concerned about safety, construct a side barrier to prevent any accidents.

An East Asian theme - while koi fish can also be found in Central Europe, most people associate them with East Asia so this kind of design is sure to wow visitors. A Zen Buddhist themed design with a stone garden and sand for raking would create the perfect spot to relax.

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Including a water feature - a water feature like a rock waterfall is always an eye catching part of anyones garden, but leading into your koi fish pond makes a real statement. This design is highly customisable, and you can pick out the rocks yourself for that personal touch. 

Leading out of a stream - creating a design where a long stream feeds into your main pond will require a lot of space, but it’ll give it a natural look. This kind of design would really elevates the whole garden to another level.

Including an island - a small island in the middle of your pond connected by a bridge is another great idea for young children. Given that koi fish can eat food right out of your hands, this kind of design is sure to endear them to a child in the long run.

A contemporary design - luxurious materials like marble and glass really add to the grandeur of these beautiful animals. A minimal white look brings out the rich colours of the koi and showcases the premium construction materials on offer.

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A window feature - raising the level of your pond with bricks leaves room for a strong, fibreglass window to look through. This gives you a different kind of perspective rather than always having to look down on them this is a great way to see them unspoiled by the reflections from above on the water.

Going for a natural look - surrounding your pond with flora local to their habitats not only creates a statement piece, it also gives them much needed areas of shade to keep cool. Bear in mind the added upkeep of the plants as well as your koi fish. 

Go for sheer scale - if you’re not interested in the subtlety of some of these designs, and you’re lucky enough to have the space for it, you could consider building a massive pond holding tens of thousands of gallons. This will require powerful equipment, but the end results would be fantastic and I’m sure your koi will love you for the extra space.

A koi fish pond can add a real element of luxury to your home, especially when done tastefully. Which of these design ideas is your favourite? Let us know in the comments and keep us posted on any constructions you’re building yourself!

11 Comments
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice link
10/28/2014 01:16:56 am

Koi ponds are beautiful, Laura! Unfortunately my husband and I wouldn't have too much room in our backyard for one, but I love the looks of them. My friend has a gorgeous one in her yard, complete with a bridge and beautiful scenery. I love going out there and just hanging around there. You give such wonderful tips on how to start this, too!

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Sam
10/28/2014 03:14:17 am

Wow I have always wanted one of these koi ponds but had no idea there were so many options. My wife and I are going to have one put in. After reading this I have a much better understanding on what will work for us.

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Catalina @ Shades of Pink link
10/28/2014 04:31:26 am

koi ponds are so beautiful, one of the many reasons why I want a house!

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Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy link
10/28/2014 04:33:04 am

I would love a koi pond. My husband actually has a koi tattoo, so I think he would love this too.

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lori @ The HealthMinded.com link
10/28/2014 10:46:24 am

I have wonderful memories of visiting my aunt when I was a child and she had a beautiful koi pond. I would sit there and watch the fish and listen to the soothing sound of the water. So peaceful. Thanks for triggering my memory of those lovely visits. I can certainly see that it would be a great health booster to many. Just thinking about my aunt's pond makes me feel calm already!

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mira link
10/28/2014 02:02:43 pm

I love koi ponds and they really create relaxing atmosphere! I wish we had a bigger backyard so we could build one !

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Tandy | Lavender and Lime link
10/28/2014 05:05:39 pm

I love koi and wanted a moat around our house to keep them, but Dave vetoed the idea!

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Michele @ Two Raspberries link
10/28/2014 07:38:21 pm

I really enjoyed reading this... I've always been interested in having a koi pond in the future, I had huge goldfish when I was younger they were about 10 inches long and lived for like 11 or 12 years... I had 2 of them and I loved them so much! ... I had no idea that each koi needed 25 feet that's a lot of space but a good to know fact about being realistic of how big the pond needs to be! ... and I totally agree with the studies about them being relaxing and acting as a stress reliever because we have a city garden with a pond of them and it's truly is relaxing a soothing to watch them!

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Kari Peters link
11/3/2014 03:29:05 am

My ideal backyard would have some kind of water feature for sure, and a koi pond would be amazing!

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Nicole @ Waterloo, with Love link
11/17/2014 04:05:21 pm

Ohhh your Koi Pond looks incredible!! There was a little pond at the back of my parents' backyard when they bought the house, but it was a lot to take care of... so they just filled it in with dirt and turned it into a herb garden... I remember being really sad about the pond being gone though!

Absolutely love how you've created yours!

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Giovanni Carlo Bagayas link
6/19/2017 11:17:13 am

Aside from design and filtration systems. I make sure that my koi pond is safe from theives and birds and other predators that will endanger myh kois

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    Hi, I'm Laura and hail from Buffalo, NY. I consider myself a lifelong learner who loves gardening with a 360 degree view. Thanks for stopping by!
    Laura Sproull

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