Koi Pond Tips, Construction & Design
A koi pond is something that should be at the top of your list when you’re looking to add some flair and beauty to your backyard. They are wonderful additions to any home, and they can add a calming effect that not many other creatures or features can bring.
A lot of people might think that their only options for adding a koi pond would be one of two things: either digging up a hole somewhere in their yard and putting the fish there or hiring a contractor who will quickly get rid of all your problems so you don’t have them anymore. Fortunately for you, it’s possible to do some of this on your own! You’ve got plenty of choices for where you’d like to put the koi pond, from separate storage tubs large enough to hold three or four fish, all the way up to fully fenced ponds. These are usually constructed with an ecological look in mind; sometimes they include waterfalls for further beauty and practicality, making them great for providing privacy as well as calming features.
You can make your koi pond whatever shape you like, whether it’s circular, square, or oval (quartered). The best part is that you’ll be able to pick out whatever soil suits your needs best; if you’re putting it near a lawn area where people will often be walking or playing sports then it should definitely be something that holds up against excess movement, but still looks nice.
As far as size goes, there isn’t much of a limit on how large you can make a koi pond. You might think the larger the amount of water, the more fish you’ll have to put in there, but this isn’t always true. In fact, when it comes to keeping smaller koi with bigger ones in very large ponds, they tend to be at a disadvantage because they’re unable to hold their own against the big boys.
You should also think about whether or not you want plants and other decorations for your pond; while they aren’t necessary by any stretch of the imagination, they can really add a unique touch that will make it stick out from among all your other fountains and ornamental pieces. Always take into consideration what kinds of plants would do best with your current soil conditions; most of them should do well in soil that is a bit looser and contains more sand, but if you have to work with something else then try to plant small trees so they’ll grow up from the water instead of causing problems for your other plants.
As far as making the koi pond itself goes, it may be best for you to hire out some professional help. This will give you a chance to see what kinds of things are going on in your backyard before going through with construction; there’s nothing worse than having a bunch of rocks or even a swimming pool already built into your landscape when it turns out that was the worst possible choice.
The contractor might offer different rates depending on how big or small their initial task is, but this is a very important step you shouldn’t skip if you don’t want to end up spending more money in the long run.
One of the most essential parts of koi pond building is understanding how to take care of them; they still need food, water changes, oxygenation, and other necessities like any other pet or plant, but there are also some special things that can apply when it comes to keeping these ponds in tip-top shape. The best part about getting your hands dirty with your own home project like this is that you’ll learn something new every day! There’s nothing quite like an outdoor DIY experience; it’s all about working hard and reaping the benefits later on when everything looks good enough to eat (but obviously don’t do this).
If you do plan to hire a contractor they should be more than happy to pass along a little bit of advice about how they would take care of your koi pond, but always make sure whatever they say is going to work with your particular area and the specific type of koi that will live in it. For example, if you have a pond that’s very heavily planted then it can become rather difficult for oxygenates to get down into the water from above when there are so many bushy plants surrounding them which will create an environment where certain fish cannot survive. However, if these same plants produce flowers in bloom during certain times of the year then this could actually be a welcome or even expected addition!
You might not ever feel like your koi pond is complete, and that’s okay; most of the time it doesn’t end up looking like a scene out of an exotic fairy tale until several years after you’ve started caring for it. It can take quite some time for them to grow and become gorgeous in their own right, so just remember to be patient with these little fishies and they’ll repay you when your pond becomes something truly amazing!
I hope this article has given you some insight into how to go about finding or building a koi pond in your backyard. Just keep in mind that not all ponds are meant for everyone, and even if you’re willing to put in the time and effort then perhaps it might be best to hire out the job and focus on enjoying your fish instead. Thanks for reading!
Thanks for reading at Meyer Aquascapes! We hope you’ve enjoyed our post on garden pond design. Please leave a comment below if you liked it or have any questions. We’d love to hear from you! Thanks for stopping by!
