C&G's Guide to Koi Ponds

Tips & Advice

Need tips to scaling an outdoor fish pond? Mullet over with C&G’s Guide to Koi Ponds

Featured at your favourite Japanese restaurant or spa, the koi pond is specifically designed to promote good health, good luck, fortune and spiritual benefits. Decorated with Japanese ornaments, glossy stones and bamboo bridges, koi ponds are built to be unique, just like your very own home. If you’re thinking of installing a koi pond, C&G’s latest guide offers tips to think about, before you start your big dig.

  1. Cost

The best things about koi ponds is the flexibility around costs. To minimise costs, think about the size and type of fish. Pool and hardware stores offer great deals of filters - plus if someone in the household is handy, digging the hole is another money-saver. Please note: koi fish can grow up to five times their size which will make a difference on how many fish you buy and how large your pond is.

  1. Size

As mentioned, koi fish grow – a lot! Even if your pond is small it must very deep for your fish to swim. While traditionally koi ponds are large, you can still build within the dimensions of your home or backyard. If your pond is small, buy less fish – if your pond is large, you can even buy other types of fish. Koi are very friendly and will not eat or fight other fish – just make sure the other fish feel the same way.

  1. Filtration

Filtration is the most important element to a koi pond installation. By investing in a quality pump or filter system, this will help with fish waste, algae build-up, leftover fish food and aquatic mould. After all, this is your dream koi pond, not an algae nightmare!

  1. Predators

Koi fish are your new friends and you need to protect them! If your pond isn’t deep enough, birds can attack them from the surface. Ensure your koi fish are safe with plenty of rocks and plants to help them hide. Koi are friendly and love to be petted, which also makes them vulnerable to backyard predators.

Looking to upsize your backyard to make room for a koi pond? For the hottest Summer listings, head to Chisholm & Gamon’s website here. Carpe diem Baysiders!