Can you build your own pond?
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Can I Build My Own Koi Pond?
Before anything else, you have to be sure that you really want to have a koi pond. It is quite an expense to shoulder and you may not want such an investment if it is for the long-term. Remember, koi live for up to 30-40 years so will you enjoy having such pets around that long or do you just like to peep at them every week or so? Understand first what your needs are so you will not undertake a project you do not intend to finish.
There are definitely possible mistakes you could make in constructing a koi pond – mistakes that will cost you money. If you do not know what you are doing, do not bother with a koi pond at all. If you are well-versed in building ponds or can follow instructions well, then you can proceed but proceed with caution.
Taking care of koi is quite expensive – for one the fish are priced quite highly. There is the food, electricity to run filters, water, the pond itself to consider aside from the stress you will bear maintaining the pond. So if you are sure this is the hobby for you, then go right ahead and build your pond.
What you have to know
You should always ask a professional before you start building a koi pond – this will save you a lot of money by avoiding errors. If you find that what you learn is too complicated for you, hire a professional Koi pond builder as it will be less complicated, less expensive, and faster in the end.
The worst thing that could happen is that your pond might leak. Liner based ponds save you a bit of money but are not as reliable as concrete ponds. Koi ponds should be built to be a permanent feature of your property so liner based ponds might not last you as long as you would like. You are limited by the lifespan of your liner. Also bear in mind that bottom drains will determine the effectiveness of your Koi pond. Without a bottom drain, your Koi pond is destined to fail so do not fail to build them into your Koi pond.
Design is very important. A well-thought out design could take up more of your time yet it is an investment that you will not regret. Do not attempt to build a koi pond without a good design. If you would like expert help, try scouting around for a good architect with a reasonable price for his services to assist you in designing your pond.
If this is your first attempt at constructing a koi pond, it is a good idea to join a koi owners club so you can ask the members to show you their ponds first. This will give you a firsthand perspective at what a finished pond will look like and entail.
What follows are vital criteria to consider when you are planning to build a koi pond:
1. The location of the pond – it is vital to put the pond where you can view the fish easily when you like. You will probably not want to put it at the far end of your property because of the effort it will take to get to that point.
2. Architecture – This is where a good architect can help, by streamlining the design of your pond so it coincides with the theme of your living space. Yes, your pond can have its own theme but make sure it does not clash with your living space. Ask the architect if he has made Koi ponds before as architects are known to make them into features rather than functional aspects of your property.
3. You need to make your pond pretty sizeable to accommodate your fish. How many fish are you going to put in? How big is each fish? These are the factors you need to consider before designing so that your koi will not suffer from cramped space.
4. Location - Does your area have building restrictions? Is the area you selected sunny or shady? It is best to construct ponds in shady though not necessarily tree-lined spaces.
5. Depth – Again it is necessary to compute how many fish you have to determine the appropriate depth. Your pond should be at least 1.5 meters in depth.
6. Will your koi be raised or at ground level?
You may come across other factors which you need to consider as you do your research. Take these into account, and remember to consult your plan periodically as you build.
Good luck!
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