trickydicky

If you are looking for information or ideas on how to build a koi pond, it’s important to keep in mind that the most notable phase is the pre-planning stage, or preparation. Many people choose to leave the construction of their ponds to landscaping experts. Allowing the experts to do the work can be costly, but may be the way to go based on your situation. For the do-it-yourselfer a certain level of fulfillment can be achieved by building it all on your own.

Many landscaping companies are well versed in designing and building garden water ponds. The intricacies involved with building a koi pond tend to vary depending on the scope of your project. So, if you prefer to hire a landscaping company to build it, make certain they have the skill and familiarity with designing and constructing koi ponds. If you have decided to do it yourself, be sure you have researched well enough so that you know how to build a koi pond before starting the project.

Koi pond construction involves many different methods. Depending on how conservative or elaborate you choose to go will affect your plans. Factors like pond size, site, budget, and time should all be considered.
It is a good idea to take a look at other homeowner’s koi ponds before starting your project. This can give you some great ideas. Also, it’s always a good idea to talk with other koi enthusiasts to get well-informed tips and advice. This will give you an idea of how much you need to spend, so that you’re able to stay under budget. There are many koi pond kits on the market that will take away a lot of the guesswork. These kits can be purchased for a number of applications.

Make sure your koi pond will be of adequate size. The larger and deeper the better, as koi grow to a rather large size. Do you want just a few koi fish, or many? This will also impact the size of your pond. Overcrowding the pond cannot only be damaging to your system, but lead to stressed and unhealthy koi fish.

The ideal location for your pond should be close to your house so you can easily monitor and drop by often. It is not good to construct your pond near a tree, where leaves, twigs, and branches can drop inside the pond, except if you are fond of cleaning ponds. Additionally, koi ponds must not be built below direct sunlight. One of the most critical steps on how to build a koi pond is the planning. Proper planning will in ensure that your happy with the end result.

Before you proceed, make the decision of whether you prefer a formal pond or simply a pond that blends well with the natural setting of your existing environment. If at all possible, construct the pond with some decent depth. Shoot for a bear minimum of at least three feet deep, as koi benefit from deep water. Also, another big advantage of having a deep pond is the protection it provides your koi from predators, such as cats, herons, raccoons, and the like. Having to buy koi fish as replacements is not cheap, plan accordingly.

Figuring out how to build a koi pond is not as difficult as you may think with some proper planning. Following some guidelines will produce a really nice koi pond for your property.

trickydicky

A vital consideration for a healthy pond is choosing a suitable location. Therefore, plan carefully where you would like to construct your pond.

Choose an area in medium shade that is open to the south and west with approximately 4-6 hours of sunshine a day, The north side of the garden is therefore less suitable.

A architectural pond can be constructed close to the house. A biotope however should be situated in a quieter area of the garden. An area underneath trees is not really suitable due to the shade and the falling leaves.

When you decide on a location for a pond you should also consider your neighbours: The noise of a fountain or watercourse can irritate some people after a while and has caused more than one argument between neighbours in the past. Frogs can sometimes create an incredible level of noise that can rob people of their sleep. Last but not least you should consider the important subject of safety i.e. for children.

A further important factor to consider is the water supply and the disposal. The pond water can be tap water, rainwater or water from a well. Pure, sterile tap water is not recommended for fish. However certain additives can change the water quality so that it provides a good medium for fish to live in.

You should never use rainwater for the initial fill of the pond. It lacks minerals and carries pollutions from the air. Therefore it should never be used directly but only for topping up. It is unavoidable that rain will enter the pond. Hence it should be treated regularly to compensate.

Well water is not suitable either for the initial fill. Generally it lacks oxygen and carries substances from various layers of the soil, which could be harmful to occupants in the pond. Therefore check the water quality before the initial fill.

Finally you have to account for the use of filters and pumps right from the start. To provide plants and animals with an ideal living environment it is important to choose the correct location for the filter and pumps to enable effective operation.

If you plan to install lighting systems you need to consider the need for power supply, cable and switches. Don't forget you will need to use and approved RCCD (Residual Current Circuit Device).

So in brief:

Choose an open and sunny location with an average exposure to sunlight of 4-6 hours.
Do not construct your pond underneath trees.
Choose a quiet place for a tranquil haven for wildlife
Ensure the availability of a water and power supply.
Check the location for the pond, i.e. back garden or close to the house (personal choice)
Are you planning to keep fish ?
Decide whether you want to use a pond liner, a pre-formed pond or to build one ...

keithatrax

hell u have been busy today

trickydicky

Idle hands ....