Koi Fish Ponds

Outdoor fish ponds have become very popular among homeowners who use them to create wonderful outdoor living areas and fabulous gardens to create a relaxing and enjoyble atmosphere around their homes. Koi Fish, because of the longevity of their lives, gorgeous colors and the gracefulness of their movements have become the fish of choice for the ponds. They are relatively easy to care for as well and this makes them the perfect candidate for an outdoor pond.

It will take a pond of 500 gallons or more to accomodate the Koi Fish comfortably as they can grow to be very large. The health of the Koi fish depends a great deal on the amount of space and the quality of the water. Temperatures of 60 to 67 degrees Fehrenheit are best for the Koi as they are a cold water fish. Those people living in a cool weather climate will be happy to know they will also be able to keep Koi during the winter months. The Koi will hybernate in the winter when ice forms over the surface of the water. No need to feed them in the winter as their digestive systems slow down almost to a halt allowing them to easily make it through the winter.

The Koi are not the only thing that make the pond and yard into an enjoyalbe and relaxing place to be. Koi love to have live plants and lilies in and around their pond. The lilies can cover up to 70 percent of the ponds surface. Not only do they give cover and shade to the Koi, but they also cut down on the algae growth in the pond. Five or six hours a day is about the maximum amount of direct sunlight the Koi can tolerate and the lilies give the perfect shade to protect them from the sunlight. The lilies and other plant life also provied the omnivorous Koi with insects and larva to eat.

Building your Koi Pond under a tree is another good way to provide the Koi with extra shade. But you may want to consider the fact that being under a tree will also attract a good deal of debris from the tree and will create a good deal more work to keep the pond clear.

When planning the pond some thought needs to go toward the depth of the pond. Outside predators can be a problem with your outdoor Koi Pond and the depth of the water can provide some needed protection. Raccoons are always looking for a free meal and Koi Fish would be an ideal meal. About four feet of water will give the Koi good protection from raccoons and other ground predators. In some parts of the country you will also need to worry about birds like the Great Blue Heron who like a good meal of Koi as well. A Blue Heron can eat as much as 100 six inch Koi. To foil the Great Blue Heron you will need a water depth of about eight feet. Covering the pond with netting is another way to protect them from Heron and other birds.

Building your own Koi Pond gives you the freedom to use your imagination to build your Koi Pond and outdoor living area as lavishly and spectacular as you wish.