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How To Pick The Right Koi Pond Construction For Your Yard

By Karen Cook


Having a water feature in your yard can be relaxing. A pond, especially one full of brightly colored, friendly fish is even better. If you have always dreamed of having koi in your yard, you may want to look at whether koi pond construction in your yard would be something you are interested in. For individuals who love these fish and who want to build a custom habitat, here are some tips and tricks that you can use.

If you think koi are just glorified gold fish you are wrong. While both are types of carp, they do come from different species. A goldfish lacks the characteristic barbels that a koi has. These fish tend to be brightly colored and many are specially bred for their markings. If a particular fish has some of the more desirable markings they can fetch hundreds if not thousands of dollars.

One thing that you need to consider is the climate where you live when deciding on how you will build your pond. If you live in an area where the temperature gets quite cold you will need to take this into account. You will either need to make sure that your pond is deep enough that the fish can live below the ice or you will need to find alternate living arrangements for the koi while the water is frozen. A third alternative is to purchase a bubbler that keeps the water from freezing.

There are many different ways that you can build a koi pond. Figuring out whether you want one that is set into the ground or which is built up from the surrounding landscape is important as this will help you narrow down your construction methods and materials.

Setting your construction into the ground means more digging but it can be easier in the long run. You simply mark out the area and shape that you want to achieve and begin digging. It will need to be lined to prevent the water from escaping. A flexible rubber liner or rigid plastic version can be set up quickly and easily once your hole has been completed. Cement can also be used although you will need forms that will keep the cement in place long enough to dry and cure.

Of course, it is not always possible to dig down to build ponds. In some cases, if there are buried wires or pipes or if there is not enough soil depth you may want to think about building up. You can build up the walls using bricks, cultured stone or rocks and use a flexible rubber liner in order to make it waterproof.

Filtering the water and making sure it is properly oxygenated is very important. Not only do koi need water that is full of oxygen, they also need water to contain beneficial bacteria. There are many filtration systems on the market and you should be able to find out which system will work best for you.

Once the structure is complete and your filter has been running to condition the water, you can then add fish. You may want to consult with an expert in order to determine the optimal number of koi and the right plants to use in order to truly make your home comfortable and safe for your new pets.




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