A pond can be a peaceful place to spend some time. You can sit by the water’s edge, watching the wildlife, observing the flora and fauna, and enjoying the fresh air. You may even catch a glimpse of the occasional fish or brightly colored bird.

Unfortunately, not many of us have the chance to live right by a pond and enjoy these benefits whenever we like. However, we can create a small piece of that by learning how to build a koi pond and adding one to our properties. Koi ponds are home to koi carp, which are brightly colored fish similar to goldfish. Koi ponds are much smaller than naturally occurring ponds, so they can fit on any property. You can add rocks, plants, and other elements to the pond to make it as elaborate as you like. While all that may sound like hard work, it can be easily accomplished with the help of the professionals at Triad Associates, and the benefits will make every bit of it worth it.

Koi Pond Building Basics

You certainly can learn how to build a koi pond yourself, but it will take a lot of research and plenty of elbow grease. A koi pond, like adding any other water feature, requires careful planning. Before you can start to plan the logistics, you’ll need to understand the basics that go into building a koi pond:

Deciding Pond Location

You will need to think carefully about where you want your koi pond to be, as you will not be able to easily move it later. To start, think of a few locations where you would like to see a koi pond and where you would like to spend time in your yard. Once you have a few spots in mind, you’ll need to narrow it down. The koi pond will need to be in a place where it gets at least four hours of sun per day, and it should not be too close to any trees, though it should get shade. The pond will also need to be installed where it can be at least three feet deep without hitting any obstructions in the ground, and where it has good soil support. Determining a good location is one of the most important things when learning how to build a koi pond.

Figuring Out Pond Shape

You can make your koi pond just about any shape you like, from free-form shapes to more geometric and modern-looking designs, you can choose whichever koi pond design works for you. There are a variety of pond liners available to suit your preferences. The location you decide on for your koi pond may determine its shape, depending on what obstacles are nearby and what other design features are present. The pond should blend in with the surrounding elements.

Determining Pond Depth

Pond depth is a major factor when learning how to build a koi pond. A koi pond should always be at least three feet deep, and no area should be less than two feet deep. These depths are necessary for the health of the fish. If you will have more fish, you may need a deeper pond. The depth will impact where the pond can be located, as some areas of your property may have rock or other impediments.

Pond Circulation

Water must circulate throughout your koi pond to prevent stagnation, keep oxygen flowing, and keep your fish healthy. You accomplish this by installing a pump that helps the water circulate up and down and around. The pump must stay running all the time.

What You’ll Need to Build a Koi Pond

You will need a lot of tools and materials when learning how to build a koi pond. To start, you’ll gather the materials for your koi pond, including the liner, pump, plumbing materials, rocks, and —of course—the fish. You’ll also need a lot of tools and equipment to help you build the pond, including an excavator to make the digging go faster, a wheelbarrow, shovels, rakes, and more. These are just some of the basics. You’ll need other items depending on what options you choose, such as a heater, aerator, and filter.

Steps for Building a Koi Pond

Follow the steps to building a koi pond carefully so that you can get long-term, reliable results. If you do not, you may have trouble with the koi pond breaking down, or you may experience issues that lead to the poor health of your fish. Working with a professional like those at Triad Associates is the best way to ensure results.

1. Dig Out Pond and Space for Equipment

If you are using a liner, it should be relatively simple to determine the area needed for your pond. Make sure you dig a space that is large enough to fit the liner and any equipment, such as the pump, filter, or aerator. Keep in mind that you will need space for pipes and other elements to connect everything and to provide access to it for maintenance and repairs. You will also need to dig the appropriate depth. These are key factors to consider when learning how to build a koi pond since they will have strong long-term effects.

2. Install Pond Liner and Optional Drain

Once you have the appropriate space dug out, you can install the pond liner. The steps for installing the liner will depend on what type you have, whether you have a rigid shell or a flexible liner. When you put in the liner, you will also need to install the drain, if you have chosen to have one.

3. Rockscaping and Foam-In

After your liner is in and everything is level, you are ready to add your rockscaping. This is the step of building a koi pond that will give the pond a finished look. You can add rocks all around the edge of the liner, and you can build rocks up against any slopes, giving it a natural look. You could even build up rocks to create a small waterfall. When you are finished, you’ll need to foam-in the gaps between the rocks and the liner to prevent water build up.

4. Install Settling Chamber and Water Pump

A settling chamber sits near the bottom of the koi pond, and it helps to remove solids so that water can be filtered more effectively. You will need to install a settling chamber and a water pump to your koi pond to keep the water fresh and the environment healthy for your fish.

5. Fill Pond with Water

Tap water should be fine for your koi pond. The fish need a pH between 7.2 and 8.0, and most tap water is around 7.4 to 7.6. You can buy a pH strip test to be sure. Then you can fill the pond with your regular water, or you can order it in if you need.

6. Add Skimmers and Filtration

Now that the water is in the pond, you can install the skimmers and filtration. These work together to keep the water free of biological agents that can become polluted and threaten the health of your fish.

7. Introduce Koi to Pond

The exciting part of learning how to build a koi pond is here: You get to add the fish to your pond! However, you need to do this part carefully to ensure that the fish adapt and that no contaminants are introduced to your pond. Keep your fish in a small quarantine tank for at least three weeks to watch for signs of infection or ill health. When the quarantine passes, add the fish slowly to the pond. Use a small bag with pond water to introduce the fish to the conditions of the pond. Then place the bag with the fish in it inside the pond, and let the fish swim out when it’s ready.

8. Cleaning Up and Finishing Touches

Once the fish are in your pond, you can clean up the area and add any finishing touches. This is a good time to add plants in the water and around the pond to make it look like a thriving natural environment. You may want other accessories, such as a water fountain or seating.

Frequently Asked Questions

Learning how to build a koi pond doesn’t stop after you’ve finished building it, owning a koi pond is an ongoing adventure. When the fish are in the pond, the journey is not over. You’ll have ongoing maintenance need —and lots of questions.

How Often Should I Clean My Koi Pond? 

You will need to deep clean your koi pond once per year to remove any moss, algae, or other muck that may have accumulated.

Do I Need to Protect My Koi from Predators? 

Unfortunately, the same things that make your koi so beautiful to watch also make them vulnerable to predators. Those bright colors attract birds, raccoons, cats, and more. You can disguise your koi by planting shrubs and bushes by the pond, adding large overhanging rocks above the water, and adding lily pads to the pond. You can also add safety netting to the pond to keep out the predators.

Hire Triad Associates’ Water Feature Experts Today

Learning how to build a koi pond can be hard work, and it requires a level of experience and expertise to get all the elements right so that the pond provides consistent results and creates a happy home for your fish for many years. Hire the water feature experts at Triad Associates today to install your koi pond and ensure that you get a beautiful pond that will elevate your property and give you many years of enjoyment. Call today to schedule a consultation and begin planning the beautiful koi pond that will transform your property.