Building a Koi pond can create a beautiful and tranquil addition to any backyard. Many homeowners are interested in setting up their own peaceful gardens. However, before you do, consider the following tips on creating a koi pond and keeping it healthy. These ponds are nice and appear simple but there are some important considerations to keep in mind before installing yours.

Location

Your first order of business is to determine the best location for your koi pond. Ideally, this should be an area of the yard that gets both sunshine and shade at different times of the day. Sunlight encourages plant growth but unfortunately, that includes algae so some shade is important. If you do not have, any natural shade in your yard, consider creating it with an arbor of some sort.

Locating underground utilities will also figure into your koi pond location. The best depth for your pond is 6-8 feet, however a minimum of 4 is recommended. Any shallower and your fish will be at the mercy of many predators and the hot summer sun. Call before you dig and get accurate locations for telephone, electric, gas and water lines that may be buried on your property.

Viewing Pleasure

You want your koi pond to be in a visible location, so it is important that you check your chosen location before you begin installation. The best way to do this is to outline the area with water hoses or rocks, although rocks will be quite a chore. Now check the "pond" from several different vantage points to get an idea of how visible it will be.

Bigger is Better

You have determined the depth of your koi pond now you must determine how big around you are going to make it. Most koi enthusiasts will tell you the bigger you can make your pond the better, as koi grow rapidly and can live up to 40 years if you maintain your pond well. Consider making your pond at least 2500 gallons, 10,000 is even better. Koi fish come in a variety of colors and it would be a shame to be limited by the size of your pond.

Insecticides

Placing your koi pond too close to your garden could be a huge mistake, particularly if you use insecticides. Either place the pond a good distance from the garden or resolve to use little if any insecticides. The smallest amounts of poison can kill your fish in a hurry!

Conclusion

Building a koi pond is not difficult and once you have finished it will be a constant source of pleasure. Keep the above tips in mind and you will be able to enjoy your pond and fish for years to come. One final note, if you live in an area that gets extremely cold you will want to install a pond heater, although koi can withstand many temperatures it is not a good idea to let your pond freeze completely in the winter.