Depth is important
Depth of your pond is crucial. The minimum recommended depth is 4 feet, however it is recommended to give your fish six or even 8 feet deep pond. This will ensure that your fish are safe from raccoons, pet kitties and other animals dangerous to fish. Deeper fish pond also helps to keep water cool in summer months
Larger pond - happier fish
Small ponds are no good for koi. Remember, with time will grow in size and numbers and they will need some space. Also there are so many color variations of koi, that later you will probably want to get other varieties. So it is better to create a large backyard pond from the start than rebuild it later. About ten thousand gallons is considered decent space for a koi backyard pond , bigger would be even better.
Heat the water in winter
Unlike tropical fish, koi are resistant cold; however you should never let your pond freeze completely. Installing a proper pond heater will always keep an opening in the ice. Also keep in mind, that koi only grow when the water is warm, so with a heater your fish will grow faster
Give some shade for your koi
When selecting a spot for your pond, make sure it is out of direct sunlight. Also keeping water plants like water lilies in your pond makes sence - not only they add beauty to the overall landscape, but they also provide shade for the fish. However, you should avoid building your koi pond in aria with many trees. Cleaning a fish pond of fallen leaves is can become a hard work.
Protect your pond from preditary birds
There are many birds of prey that would love to steal your koi. Don't give them the opportunity; plan your pond location so it is possible to protect it with a bird net.
Keep insecticides away from your pond
When landscaping your pond keep in mind that you should not use any insecticides or herbicides near the water. Even a small amount of common garden poison can destroy your beautiful fish.
Koi fish pond acsessories that you might need
Several accessories are requared for healthy garden fish pond. Ideally you should get a water pump, filtration system, pond water aerator and an ultraviolet sterilizer. If the water in your pond is not moving, your koi might get sick and eventually die. Koi pond filtration systems cost a lot, so as an alternative you can make your own homemade filters.
Tanya Turner is an owner of Koi Fish Ponds.org where you can find information about garden koi fish ponds as well as tips for building backyard ponds