When thinking about how to make the perfect koi pond, you first have to think about where you are going to site the koi pond and what it will look like. These questions have two governing factors: where you would like it to go and where it should go for the sake of the fish.
Size is a very critical factor, because the larger the pond, the less maintenance it will require and the better it will be for the fish. Fish tend to grow to a size that is comensurate with their environment up to their maximum size, but koi are large fish, so you should take that into account. The quantity of fish you would like is also a factor.
The first step is actually making your koi pond. This is not a tricky task, but it does have to be done properly, otherwise you will be fixing your pond for the rest of your life. Maintenance will be far more strenuous as well. So, you have two choices: either get in a professional or get a book on the subject. In fact, it is a good idea to get a book anyway.
If you are going to have the pond created for you, it is a good idea to get up to five estimates. Reject the top and bottom quotes and then either choose the lowest of the three or add them up, divide by three and choose the one that is the nearest. This way you have chosen a fair price. If you decide to go it alone, read your book of suggestions first.
Be aware that your pond and your kois' future happiness, indeed their very lives, are in your hands alone. The builder may be a capable builder, but what does he know about fish ponds? The merchant in the pet shop is trying to sell equipment, no matter how much they know about koi. You need to know how to make the perfect koi pond yourself.
If you are still stuck, you could pick a fish pond kit. These kits contain everything you need for different sizes of pond. This is because a lot has to do with the quantity of water in the pond. The pump that you buy will have to recycle the total quantity of pond water at least once a day, if not more frequently.
Once your pond has been dug out and the equipment has been installed, it is time to fill it up with water. You can use tap water, but you will need to use an additive in order to get rid of certain chemicals in the water (chlorine, for instance). Then you ought to let your pond water mature for a week, with or without the equipment running.
During this period, you can be reading up about koi carp. One thing to keep in mind is that koi breed quite readily in a good koi pond. They can also grow fairly large, so it is far better to understock rather than overstock your pond. It is also better to buy smallish koi, say about six inches long, and let the fish get on with growing and stocking your pond for you.
Buy your initial stock all in one go and all from one place, so that they will all be healthy (or not) and they will already 'be familiar with each other'. After you have stocked your pond, always quarantine new fish for a week, so that you con contain diseases like koi herpes. Verify the quality of your pond water on a weekly basis and rectify any imbalances immediately.
You will need to check up on feeding, because koi have to give different quantities of food for different times of the year. However, koi can be given treats like dogs and they can be trained to eat out of your hand in time, once you have learned how to make the perfect koi pond.
Size is a very critical factor, because the larger the pond, the less maintenance it will require and the better it will be for the fish. Fish tend to grow to a size that is comensurate with their environment up to their maximum size, but koi are large fish, so you should take that into account. The quantity of fish you would like is also a factor.
The first step is actually making your koi pond. This is not a tricky task, but it does have to be done properly, otherwise you will be fixing your pond for the rest of your life. Maintenance will be far more strenuous as well. So, you have two choices: either get in a professional or get a book on the subject. In fact, it is a good idea to get a book anyway.
If you are going to have the pond created for you, it is a good idea to get up to five estimates. Reject the top and bottom quotes and then either choose the lowest of the three or add them up, divide by three and choose the one that is the nearest. This way you have chosen a fair price. If you decide to go it alone, read your book of suggestions first.
Be aware that your pond and your kois' future happiness, indeed their very lives, are in your hands alone. The builder may be a capable builder, but what does he know about fish ponds? The merchant in the pet shop is trying to sell equipment, no matter how much they know about koi. You need to know how to make the perfect koi pond yourself.
If you are still stuck, you could pick a fish pond kit. These kits contain everything you need for different sizes of pond. This is because a lot has to do with the quantity of water in the pond. The pump that you buy will have to recycle the total quantity of pond water at least once a day, if not more frequently.
Once your pond has been dug out and the equipment has been installed, it is time to fill it up with water. You can use tap water, but you will need to use an additive in order to get rid of certain chemicals in the water (chlorine, for instance). Then you ought to let your pond water mature for a week, with or without the equipment running.
During this period, you can be reading up about koi carp. One thing to keep in mind is that koi breed quite readily in a good koi pond. They can also grow fairly large, so it is far better to understock rather than overstock your pond. It is also better to buy smallish koi, say about six inches long, and let the fish get on with growing and stocking your pond for you.
Buy your initial stock all in one go and all from one place, so that they will all be healthy (or not) and they will already 'be familiar with each other'. After you have stocked your pond, always quarantine new fish for a week, so that you con contain diseases like koi herpes. Verify the quality of your pond water on a weekly basis and rectify any imbalances immediately.
You will need to check up on feeding, because koi have to give different quantities of food for different times of the year. However, koi can be given treats like dogs and they can be trained to eat out of your hand in time, once you have learned how to make the perfect koi pond.
About the Author:
Owen Jones, the writer of this piece, writes on many topics, but is at present involved with the fish pond filter. If you are interested in a Solar Powered Pond Pump, please go to our web site now for a great deal.
