Building Koi garden ponds takes a lot of time, effort, and special consideration. First of all, you need to understand a bit about the Koi fish, which is a Japanese fish shaped rather like a drum. They are notoriously vibrant and playful, which makes them an ideal backyard "pet." Having this type of pond requires full time attention. However, given the fact that simply watching Koi can relieve stress, it is well worth the effort. Building a Koi pond takes a lot of effort as well, but it is well worth it. Still, before you begin building yours, you should make sure you have the time necessary to devote to it. You also need all the proper resources. You have to be prepared to care for both the fish and the pond. A Koi pond also requires special construction, beginning with its location. Namely, you have to realize and remember that Koi fish should not be in direct sunlight. Bearing that in mind, the pond should be constructed accordingly. You should not place it under any trees unless they do not shed. The dry leaves can cause the pH level in the water to raise dangerously high. The best place to place a pond is within walls. When considering the size of the Koi garden, you need to remember that these fish can get quite big. They can be as much as three feet long and weigh as much as forty pounds. Thus, their pond needs to be large enough to accommodate their growth. As well, since Koi are social fish which do not like to be alone, you should plan to have at least three or four fish at the onset. These gardens require a lot of pond maintenance as well. This can be made easier by implementing either a pond liner or a pre-made pond. However, by all accounts, pond liners are the superior choice. They allow you to chance the size of the pond very easily. When building a Koi pond, feel free to include aquatic plants and other features. Underwater plants will provide plenty of controlled nutrients to the fish. They will also keep the fishes safe from the sun. Water lilies, dwarf papyrus, cannas, lily pads, irises, and similar plants and flowers are ideal. However, they must be inaccessible to the fish, which like to nibble on plants. You should also line the bottom with gravel and pebbles. These allow beneficial bacteria to breed. Finally, you have to consider the water in your Koi garden pond. It requires special specifications all its own. Because these fish are very sensitive, you need to keep a close eye on the pH levels. It should be neutral. Filters and aeration systems can help you keep the water clean and healthy, as can a bottom drain.
A garden pond adds new dimensions to any garden. As well as providing a tranquil spot to sit and relax on a hot summer's day, it attracts a whole range of wildlife to your garden such as frogs, newts, and water birds and almost inevitably gives you a mini nature reserve. It also opens up new plant growing opportunities both in the water and at its edges.
Choosing the right location, shape and size of garden pond.
An ideal spot for a garden pond is in an open area with plenty of sunshine, but not too exposed to the wind and it is best not to locate it directly under trees to avoid accumulating soggy leaf mould every autumn. You should aim for as large a size as you can manage and the location will comfortably support, as larger ponds will gave a greater impact and are easier to clean and maintain than smaller ponds and are less prone to green water. The shape should be gently curving to blend with the environment and it is best to avoid narrow necks of water if possible. The ideal depth for a garden pond is around 2 feet deep, any shallower and it will be prone to drying in the summer and if much deeper it will accumulate mud in its base.
What lining material to use
Flexible liners are generally the best materials to use and are usually made of either butyl or PVC. If working to a lower budget then polythene can be used but this is thinner and generally won't last longer than 3 years before it needs to be replaced.
Preparing the hole
You should mark out the area to be excavated with a trail of sand or an old hosepipe and the best months for pond making are April and May, so you should start digging around March. The pond base should be dug to around a 3 feet depth in its centre and you should make arrangement for disposing or using the surprisingly large amounts of material which will result! It is a good idea to consider preparing a shelf around the edge of the pond, in preparation for plants that prefer to grow in shallow water and otherwise the sides should slope at around 45 degrees. It is also advisable to protect the liner with a layer of fibreglass matting or sand in the base of the hole.
Laying the liner and filling the pond
Make sure the liner is large enough and then stretch it over the hole and hold the edges down with some heavy stones and check that it overlaps an even amount all around the pond and even out any wrinkles. Now you can start to fill it with water. A hosepipe should then be prepared and the exciting part can begin, filling the pond with water, which will settle down the liner with the weight and help even out any wrinkles. Fill the hole to the brim.
Edging the pond
Usually the best way to edge a pond is by laying flagstones and tucking the liner under them, they should be laid so that they overlap the edge by about 2 inches. Fine soil or sand can be used to bed these down for a level finish. It is best to avoid concreting them in or repairs can be difficult. With the hard work done you should take a well earned rest and admire your new garden pond. Some restraint is also in order however as it will take about a fortnight to settle in and for the water to clear of unhealthy chemicals.
Then it is time to start planning to decorate it with water plants of your choice and for you local wildlife to discover it and hopefully take it up as their new residence.
Garden pond or any open stretch of water can obviously present a danger to small children. Appropriate safety measures should be taken if small children are likely to be around the pond.
In a future article I will discuss the range of plants now at your disposal and some of the fish wildlife that you may wish to introduce.
Both Michael Deangelo & John Mcguire are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Michael Deangelo has sinced written about articles on various topics from Finances, Japanese Koi Fish. Keeping your clean and free of disease is important to the health of your koi fish.. Michael Deangelo's top article generates over 1600 views. to your Favourites.
John Mcguire has sinced written about articles on various topics from Pets, Family and Japanese Koi Fish. John McGuire is an active gardener and manages his own smallholding with extensive gardens and keeps a range of farm animals. He is also an internet marketer and runs his own gardening information and products website.. John Mcguire's top article generates over 4400 views. to your Favourites.