Setting Up a Koi Pond Basics

After bit of research I found some good information when we started thinking about setting up a koi pond in our yard. We really enjoy watching our fish and we have a nice aquarium, which is difficult for me to keep the water balanced, unfortunately my little fish get sick a lot. Fortunately, there is medicine available to treat them, but it has been frustrating.

Although I have indoor fish trouble we are still considering putting a pond outside. We began educating ourselves on the possibilities and found some great information to get started on my Koi pond experiment.

You really can find ways to lower the maintenance of your pond and ensure it is clean and healthy. Since these Koi are fresh water, things are much easier to sustain when compared to my saltwater tank.

It is pretty simple to put a Koi pond together. You can find do it yourself (DIY) pond kits, rather cheap by shopping online. After purchasing a DIY kit you dig out a hole and place the included pond liner, add water and you've got most the work done. After installing a pump so the water can circulate you then you need to start thinking about filtering. Your pump will undoubtedly get filled up with leaves and debris, so you will have to clean these out on a regular basis. By washing out the filters regularly your Koi fish are much more likely to stay healthy.

Without the installation of a pump the water will become stinky and full of bacteria and fish don't live in water that isn't circulated. Then bugs and mosquitoes will arrive, and nobody wants to attract these pests to their yard. If you really wish to enjoy your Koi pond or any pond, then it is important to get expert advice. Fortunately, I've got a friend in the business, but any Koi pond shop or dealer will be happy to provide any necessary guidance.

For healthy and clean water the correct equipment must be purchased. The first thing I learned was that it is the external pump and good ultra violet light that will be necessary. For a low maintenance pond, choosing a bead type pond filter is definitely the way to go. Cleaning those pad type pond filters can be time-consuming work. All filters will have to be washed if they are working correctly. The Bead filter will help you with the time it takes since they wash up much faster than a pad filter.

If you install your filter under water it will involve more work, so it is recommended that whatever filter you choose, go with an external pump so that your work will be less laborious. Every pump occasionally gets clogged up with dirt and leaves and the fact that it is not under water will mean you don't have to lift the heavy pump out or get wet to maintain it.

When you do decide on the external type of pump then you need to research the best way to insert a draining system to remove and filter water. It seems the 3" drain, which is domed at the bottom is an efficient way to go, and serves well in trapping debris and leaves. It will be necessary to put the drain in the area that will encourage the most suction, usually lower than the bottom of the pond floor. Also, the latest advancements allow you to install jets that are designed to blast debris off the pond bottom and towards the drain.

Increasing the depth and size of the pond will serve to reduce toxins and help the fish. A deep koi pond provides Koi fish with a place to escape from heat and predators. You can even install a small water cave for them to escape and rest. We are looking forward to completing our project and plan to cover the maintenance and enjoyment phases of our finished project.