Do you plan to install a pond for keeping koi fish? Having these beautiful fish in your garden can be great fun and it is not as hard as most people imagine. With the right care koi have a long life span sometimes getting up to a metre long. Follow these simple rules to plan your garden pond for fish properly so your koi fish will live long and happy life.
Make your pond deep
Depth of your garden koi pond is crucial. The minimum recommended depth is 4 feet, however it is is a good idea to provide for your fish six or even 8 feet deep pond. This will ensure that your fish are safe from raccoons, cats and other animals who can empty your pond. Deeper fish pond also helps to prevent pond from overheating in summer months
Make your pond as large as you can
Small ponds are no good for koi. Remember, with time koi can grow quite large and they will need some space. Also there are so many color variations of koi, that later you will probably want to get other varieties. So it is better to create a large koi 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.
Use fish pond heater in December-February
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 like most fish koi only grow when the water is warm, so with a heater your fish will grow faster
Plan your fish shade
When selecting a spot for your pond, make sure it is out of direct sunlight. Also keeping water plants like water lilies in your pond makes sence - not only they add beauty to the overall look of your pond, but they also provide shade for the fish. However, you should avoid building your koi pond in aria with many 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 for garden ponds.
Keep insecticides away from your pond
When planning your pond keep in mind that you should not use any insecticides or herbicides so they can get into the wate. Even a small amount of common garden poison can kill your beautiful fish.
Koi fish pond acsessories that you might need
Several accessories are requared for good health of your fish. Ideally you must buy a water pump, filtration system, pond water aerator and an ultraviolet sterilizer. If the water in your pond is not moving, your fish might get sick and eventually die. Koi pond filtration systems are pricey, so if money is an issue you can make your own homemade filters.
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