Pond-keeping is becoming more and more popular. Koi make great pets, and add beauty and interest to your garden. The sound of running water has natural soothing effects and it is a great way to relax and unwind after a hard day of work when you just sit and stare into your pond for hours. Place your pond in a spot where you can just sit by it and listen and observe. You won't regret it. The very first thing you will have to decide is how big your pond is going to be. A properly designed pond will provide a healthy aquatic environment and reduce maintenance and avoid the need for costly modifications.

Consideration must be given to the, material used for construction, and selection of equipment and type of filtration. Standard guidelines should be followed when setting up a koi pond.

 

Pond types

A koi pond can be constructed from various materials, including plastic liners, preformed fiberglass, reinforced plastic, and cement. We prefer the latter as concrete ponds can be custom-build to fit into any garden landscape and when properly designed will outlast many other materials. A tip to keep in mind is that new concrete ponds require conditioning to neutralize the excessive amounts of lime that can leach into the water before introducing koi fish into the water.

 

 

Pond size

Koi ponds must be designed to accommodate the size and number of fish you want to keep. Maintenance of water quality is more difficult in smaller ponds. Crowding of koi must be avoided.

 

 

Location

Location, location, location. There is a lot to think about. Where will a pond look the best ? How big will the pond be ? What shape ? Ideally, koi ponds should be located in areas providing partial shade at some time during the day and in an area free of overhanging tree branches and bushes. It is especially pleasant to build a deck or patio next to your pond or to place it next to an existing patio. If you are putting in a swimming pool, a pond with fish nearby looks great.

 

 

Filtration requirements

Optimal water quality is essential to the success of your koi pond. Filtration is necessary to minimize maintenance and to preserve a healthy pond environment. There are three types of filtration that are used in koi ponds, mechanical-, biological- and chemical filtration (UV light).

It is best to incorporate all of these in a closed pond system as the secret of keeping koi is clean, clear, healthy water with the right ph level. A UV-clarifier helps to keep your koi pond water clear by exposing a flow of water to UV light, which kills the algae.

Biological filtration is the most important cleansing process in ponds and other aquatic systems. It is carried out by specific bacteria, through the chemical processes of nitrification and denitrification.

Designer Garden Landscaping can assist you right from the start with the specialized construction of your koi pond using the vast experience we have gained over the years.

 

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