So the wife wants a koi pond. Talk to me Goose.

Not complicated, all depends on what your going to do with them in the winter and how many cranes or raccoons you have around.
 
Wife gets koi pond

Cully gets new bike

Cully gets no hassle 10/1-12/18

Haven't noticed too many raccoons and no cranes.

Winter I though you just dropped in a heater. No?

Any tips?
 
Try the koiphen forum. Lots of good info there. But they are more focused on dedicated koi ponds than "watergardens" that may have a few koi. Just depends on what your after.
I have a 5000 gallon koi pond bottom drain, skimmer, bead filter, uv light the whole deal.

I'd be happy to help answer any questions you may have.

Mike
 
my koi pond is 3' deep so the koi stay in all winter all you have to do is keep a hole in the ice [heater or air stone] both work very well, a crane decoy works for the cranes as they are Territorial,I have a gravel bottom in my pond which is over 3000 gal with skimmer two water falls and a water wheel with a bog garden for extra filtration, once you get it done I have some nice Koi you can have to keep your wife happy!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
You're my man Mike!

I'm just wondering about a small one.
Go formed pond liner, then landscape around it?
Does depth matter if you plan on leaving them outdoors?
Just want a simple system with a little waterfall and a few lillies.

Help a brother out.
 
Does it gotta be koi, or can you get by with a small preformed with some goldfish?

I think koi need more real estate than a preformed can offer.
 
Capt_Cully said:
You're my man Mike!

I'm just wondering about a small one.
Go formed pond liner, then landscape around it?
Does depth matter if you plan on leaving them outdoors?
Just want a simple system with a little waterfall and a few lillies.

Help a brother out.
Click to expand...

In your part of the country you will need at least part of the pond to be 3' deep in order for the fish to winter over. That rules out a preformed pond unless you're bringing them inside for the winter. I have a 125 gal tank for them in the basement, but that presents it's own set of issues. I find preformed ponds to be a monumental PITA to dig too. Getting the hole to be the exact shape of the plastic is next to impossible. It's also harder to hide the edge of the pond. Get a good sized piece of EPDM liner, dig a hole the shape and depth you want/need, hide the excess on the edges under some flat rocks, fill with water and enjoy (greatly oversimplified). Good luck with whatever you decide.
 
I'll be building it into a downslope so I won't be digging, but building up. That's why I was thinking preformed. Is this over before its beginning?
 
Not really, you'll need retaining blocks and a good footing, but it is possible for sure (sorry).. how big were you thinking. ?? I've still got the epdm liner from my lagoon if your interested. ? Save ya some cash for sure..
 
Capt_Cully said:
You're my man Mike!

I'm just wondering about a small one.
Go formed pond liner, then landscape around it?
Does depth matter if you plan on leaving them outdoors?
Just want a simple system with a little waterfall and a few lillies.

Help a brother out.
Click to expand...

As others have said 3ft or deeper is much better, and will need some form of heater to keep a hole open in the ice all winter. That being said in some towns around me anything deeper than 24" is considered an inground pool.... I love regulations so you may want to check into that. And you Wont find a preform that deep anyway....

I would highly recomend not doing koi on that scale they will get too big and aren't As cold hardy as goldfish. I would look into wakins, they look alot like koi, don't get as big and are more cold tolerant. Should fit in better with what your planning.
 
I guess I'm not thinking true koi but a small water garden or water feature. She just wants some tinkling waters (me taking a beer p!ss in the garden, does not qualify). Goldfish would more than suffice.

I'm concerned I may not be able to make it happen in the spot she has chosen. I'll have to get some pics tomorrow with measurements of how much it'd need to be built up.
 
Capt_Cully said:
I guess I'm not thinking true koi but a small water garden or water feature. She just wants some tinkling waters (me taking a beer p!ss in the garden, does not qualify). Goldfish would more than suffice.

I'm concerned I may not be able to make it happen in the spot she has chosen. I'll have to get some pics tomorrow with measurements of how much it'd need to be built up.
Click to expand...

Performs ponds do work but with caution. There are many animals that like to come prey on your fish. I myself have over a 7000g koi pond with a 2 tier waterfall. The pond has to be 3-4 feet deep in one end if you plan on leving the fish in year round. That being said, any preform you will have to house the fish indoors or a garage for the winter. Lowes and depot both sell preform ponds that will suit your needs just fine. They also have the premaid waterfalls.
 
Koi ponds are an expensive way to feed the large wild birds that frequent long island.... Now I have a pond full of feeder gold fish that grow as big as koi's and are 10 for a dollar....
 
The fish are secondary to her desire for a water feature just off the deck. I'd like it to be inhabited, so it doesn't just look like a cheesey plug in waterfall. I think most people think goldfish in a pond are koi. Just like all adhesive bandages are Band-aids, right.

For now I need to focus on seeing if I can actually pull this structure off.
 
Building on a slope can be a challenge but may be a blessing. May present a good opportunity to incorporate a waterfall without having to construct something that looks like a mini volcano in the yard. On the down side most slopes away from the house so it makes it hard to view sometimes.

Post some pics I'm sure we can give you some good ideas.
 
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