How to Create a Koi Fish pond in your Garden

Do you plan to install a water pond for koi fish? Keeping these colorful fish in home pond is very rewarding and it is not as complicated as it seems. With the right care koi fish live very long and get very big in size. Follow these suggestions to make your  pond    properly so your koi will live and make you happy for a long time.

Depth is important

Depth of your fish pond is important for the health of your fish. The minimum recommended depth is 4 feet, however it is best to provide for 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 keep water cool in hottest days

Koi really love a lot of room to swim

Small ponds are not appropriate for koi. Remember, with time your fish will multiply and grow and they will need a big space. Also there are so many color variations of koi, that later you will probably want to add more fish to your pond. So it is better to create a large pond from the start than rebuild it later. About ten thousand gallons is suitable for a   backyard pond with fish , bigger would be even better.

Heat the water in winter

Unlike tropical fish, koi are adapted to 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

Give your fish shade

When selecting where to place your pond, make sure it is out of direct sun. Also keeping water plants like water lilies in your pond makes sence - not only they add beauty to the overall landscape, but they also provide shade for the fish. However, you should avoid building your koi pond under trees. Cleaning a fish pond of fallen leaves is a nightmare.

Protect your pond from preditary birds

There are many birds of prey that would love to steal 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 planning your pond keep in mind that you should not use any insecticides or herbicides near the water. Even a small amount of common garden poison can kill your beautiful fish.

Pumps, filtration systems and other fish pond accessories

Several accessories are needed for healthy garden fish pond. Ideally you will have to invest into a water pump, filtration system, pond water aerator and an ultraviolet sterilizer. If the water in your pond is not moving, your koi might get sick and eventually die. Koi pond filtration systems are pricey, so as an alternative you can make your own homemade filters.