The Do's and Don't of Koi Ponds

Koi ponds are not just simply holes in the ground that you can keep fish in. A Koi pond must actually sustain fish; several things must be considered when you begin planning.

A few simple rules will ensure that you do not end up with an expensive hole with dead fish.

1. Unless you have a large amount of knowledge in outdoor landscaping, fish keeping, and construction, it may be a good idea to leave the pond building up to a professional. If your pond is not built properly the first time, you will end up spending a large amount of money on fixing the problems that come up.

2. Hire a professional; they will provide their knowledge and help with decision making, but ultimately, they will do whatever you want them too. Because of this, you cannot blame them if your pond fails do to location, size, or other factors. However, beware of extremely cheap quotes as they may cut corners that could potentially cause you problems later. While quotes will be different, there should not be a very dramatic difference between them.

3. Koi ponds are not swimming pools or animal water troughs. This is why so much care must be taken in planning and building your pond. It may cost more money than building a typical swimming pool, but the rewards are much greater. Keep children and other non-fish pets out of the pond. If children swim in your pond, not only could they cause a chemical imbalance, but they could also cause major problems such as leaks. While it is typically ok to have other pets around your Koi pond, some pets, especially cats may get the idea that is fun to chase your Koi around.

4. Koi ponds are permanent. You cannot decide in two or three weeks that you do not want you Koi pond in the front yard, that you'd rather have it in the backyard. Carefully plan each and every aspect of your pond, because once it's built, there is little you can do to change it. Remember such things as size requirements, and placement.

5. A Koi pond can be a substantial amount of work. Make sure that you will have enough time to carry out the everyday needed maintenance, and remember that, like with any other pets, issues will arise that require extra special attention. Vet visits may be needed, or you may need to take some extra time out of your weekend to clear up an algae infection.