Do you plan to install a water pond for koi fish? Having these magnificent fish in your garden can be great fun and it is not as hard as it seems. With the proper pond maintanance decorative koi fish can live for decades and get very big in size. Follow these tips to plan your fish pond properly so your koi will live and make you happy for a long time.
Make your pond deep
Depth of your fish pond is crucial. You pond should be at least 4 feet deep, however it is best to give your fish six or even 8 feet deep pond. This will ensure that your koi are safe from raccoons, pet kitties and other animals dangerous to fish. Deeper fish pond also helps to maintain water temperature in hot summer days
Make your pond as large as you can
Small ponds are no good 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 big koi pond from the start than rebuild it later. About ten thousand gallons is considered decent space for a koi pond , bigger would be even better.
Provide some heating in colder months
Unlike tropical fish, koi are resistant cold; however you should never let your pond freeze all the way. 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
Provide some shade for your koi
When selecting a spot for your pond, make sure it is out of direct sun. Also keeping water plants like water lilies in your pond can be very beneficial - not only they add beauty to the overall design, 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 a nightmare.
Protect your pond from preditary birds
There are many birds of prey that will enjoy eating your koi. Don't give them the opportunity; plan your pond location so it is possible to protect it with a net.
Insectocides can kill your fish
When designing your pond keep in mind that you should not use any insecticides or herbicides so they can get into the wate. Even a small amount of common garden poison can make sick and possibly kill your beautiful fish.
Pumps, filtration systems and other fish pond accessories
Several accessories are absolutely essential for a healthy koi pond. Ideally you must buy a water pump, filtration system, pond water aerator and an ultraviolet sterilizer. If the water in your pond is still, your fish might get sick and eventually die. Koi pond filtration systems cost a lot, so if money is an issue you can make your own homemade filters.
No comments:
Post a Comment