OT: Koi Pond
- Thread starter Spartan
- Start date
mzeinstr
New member
i have two koi ponds, one small one large. what would you like to know? there is a site called koiphen.com, you may find some information there.
i would be more than happy to answer any questions. i've had the small pond for 9 years, the koi outgrew it so i built a rather large one with a bog for the koi and now only have gold fish in the small pond.
large pond:
small pond:
marti
i would be more than happy to answer any questions. i've had the small pond for 9 years, the koi outgrew it so i built a rather large one with a bog for the koi and now only have gold fish in the small pond.
large pond:
small pond:
marti
Spartan
Member
mzeinstr,
Very nice ponds. I 'm planning on putting one in. My goal is for low maintaince and really clear water. So I'm trying to get some recommendations on filtering.
Also, assuming that your weather is like mine (I think zone 5) do you winter the fish outside? What depth of water?
Very nice ponds. I 'm planning on putting one in. My goal is for low maintaince and really clear water. So I'm trying to get some recommendations on filtering.
Also, assuming that your weather is like mine (I think zone 5) do you winter the fish outside? What depth of water?
Stephany
New member
My friend has one up here (Syracuse, but pretty similar weather) and hers is like, chest level deep. I believe she said if it was deeper, then it would be harder to pull stones out that fall in... but easier around winter time.
She built a wooden support structure over the top so no snow or anything could get into it... I'll have to ask her if she puts a small heater to keep it from freezing in the winter.
She built a wooden support structure over the top so no snow or anything could get into it... I'll have to ask her if she puts a small heater to keep it from freezing in the winter.
St.james of reefdom
New member
Actually If you have a fairly strong aereator that will stop the pond from freezing totally. It is what they do on lake Erie around the docks strap airline tubing to the dock posts and turn on the aerator and the bubbles stop the ice from freezing around the posts.
SuzLucky
New member
I have a pre-formed 90 gal. pond outside. I use a pond-de-icer in the winter. I keep the fish out there all winter long. Been there for 6 or more years. I have gradually increased the size of the pond over the course of the past 6-7 years. I also use pond plants and a UV light for algae control.
Stephany
New member
Nice pond Sue. 
I love the silvers.
She doesn't have it fenced off at all....
But the frame she puts over it is like 2x4's with greenhouse tarp over it I believe. It's nothing real high tech or anything.
She made hers with pond liner at her old house, I know she has a much bigger one now that she used a tractor hook-on thing to dig. I can't remember the name... but I don't know if she still had to use liner. How big you doin'?
I love the silvers.She doesn't have it fenced off at all....
But the frame she puts over it is like 2x4's with greenhouse tarp over it I believe. It's nothing real high tech or anything.
She made hers with pond liner at her old house, I know she has a much bigger one now that she used a tractor hook-on thing to dig. I can't remember the name... but I don't know if she still had to use liner. How big you doin'?
RoscoPColtrane
New member
mzeinstr,
what are you using for circulation/filtration. My parents have a large pond but we can never keep the water clean. They have a mag18 on a waterfall and a mag9 flowing free inside.
Spartan one word of advice is do not put it in direct sunlight if possible. The partial shade will help with algea control.
what are you using for circulation/filtration. My parents have a large pond but we can never keep the water clean. They have a mag18 on a waterfall and a mag9 flowing free inside.
Spartan one word of advice is do not put it in direct sunlight if possible. The partial shade will help with algea control.
Spartan
Member
The area I have will get alot of sun, but it's really a perfect spot for viewing, etc. So... Just like in the reef, I 've been trying to plan for algae control.
-barley straw
-UV sterilizer
-some plants (protected from hungry fish) for N and P export
- A good filter - but this last thing is complicated, and I 'm still getting up to date on the systems available. Most are really what we've all seen in reefs (although skimming which is the mainstay for most of us is comparatively ineffective in freshwater and you can forget about live rock
).
Because of the size and waste production of koi and larger goldfish, this is a real challenge as I really want crystal clear water. There a lot of options here from trickle, vortex, fluidized beds, etc. Some are even combos. Not sure what's best yet. I'm also really into the "low maintainence through automation" philosophy.
-barley straw
-UV sterilizer
-some plants (protected from hungry fish) for N and P export
- A good filter - but this last thing is complicated, and I 'm still getting up to date on the systems available. Most are really what we've all seen in reefs (although skimming which is the mainstay for most of us is comparatively ineffective in freshwater and you can forget about live rock
).Because of the size and waste production of koi and larger goldfish, this is a real challenge as I really want crystal clear water. There a lot of options here from trickle, vortex, fluidized beds, etc. Some are even combos. Not sure what's best yet. I'm also really into the "low maintainence through automation" philosophy.
mzeinstr
New member
sorry, haven't gotten back to this...
my biggest pond averages 3 feet deep, we keep all fish in over the winter. during the winter i take a small pump run it into a shallow dish (like a dish that goes under a flower pot) set it on the side at an angle so that it runs back into the pond, this will keep a hole open in the ice (all that is needed, and the heaters use a good deal of electricty) the birds use this as a bath and water source throughout the winter, also.
for filtration, i use plants mostly...... water hyacinths are the best. the big pond has a bog, water is pumped from the pond up to the bog, and the bog overflows over a big rock back to the pond.
marti
my biggest pond averages 3 feet deep, we keep all fish in over the winter. during the winter i take a small pump run it into a shallow dish (like a dish that goes under a flower pot) set it on the side at an angle so that it runs back into the pond, this will keep a hole open in the ice (all that is needed, and the heaters use a good deal of electricty) the birds use this as a bath and water source throughout the winter, also.
for filtration, i use plants mostly...... water hyacinths are the best. the big pond has a bog, water is pumped from the pond up to the bog, and the bog overflows over a big rock back to the pond.
marti
http://www.stoneycreekequip.com/form/pondkits_pond.htm
I just ordered a kit from this site.It was here in three days.I ordered a liner big enough to have a 18'x15' pond with a 4' waterfall.It is all dug and almost ready for the liner. It is terraced and will have a center depth of 4'. Oh my back is killing me right now.
I just ordered a kit from this site.It was here in three days.I ordered a liner big enough to have a 18'x15' pond with a 4' waterfall.It is all dug and almost ready for the liner. It is terraced and will have a center depth of 4'. Oh my back is killing me right now.
filly469075
New member
i have one and i built it, 900 gallons, 8' by 4' by 3.5' deep and my Shubunkins have bread. i also have koi, and Sarasa Comet. i'm a member of the genasee valley pond club and the best place to go for pond help i think is bargen water gradens.
filly
filly
