| To the novice a pond is a pond is a pond. When it | | | | provide two types of filtration - mechanical and |
| comes to Koi ponds, this is a huge mistake. A koi | | | | biological. Mechanical filtration breaks down and |
| pond is a complex water environment. Because of | | | | removes solid waste particles. Biological filtration |
| the nature of Koi fish - large and fast growing - | | | | supplies beneficial bacteria to breakdown pollutants |
| the pond needs to be of adequate size. | | | | in the water. There are different types of |
| There are many things you have to consider | | | | filtration systems to consider. You can choose a |
| when you start a project to build a Koi pond. You | | | | single chamber or multi chamber system. The |
| have to provide for good water quality and | | | | single chamber, as the name implies, is one tank |
| filtration. Koi fish give off a lot of waste that | | | | with a combination of filtering media such as |
| needs to be continually removed from the pond. | | | | aquarock and foam. These really don't have the |
| Good aeration is needed to keep the oxygen level | | | | capacity for the load of a Koi pond. A |
| right. There is also a variety of equipment that | | | | multichamber system is the best choice for |
| needs to be installed. | | | | serious Koi ponds. These consist of between |
| Don't be short sighted when picking a location. | | | | three and eight chambers depending on the size |
| Make sure you can enjoy your Koi pond the way | | | | of the pond. The big advantage of these systems |
| you want to. Check the views from all angles - | | | | is that you can different filter material in each |
| inside and outside. If you want to use excavation | | | | chamber. These are an ideal solution for most Koi |
| equipment, make sure there is easy access to | | | | ponds. |
| the property. | | | | To keep the water moving through the filtration |
| Carefully plan the type construction you plan on | | | | system, you have to have a pump. Again there |
| using. There are basically two ways to go. You | | | | are two basic designs available - submersible and |
| can have a liner pond or a concrete block pond. | | | | external. Again, do some research before you |
| There advantages and disadvantages of both so | | | | select one. The submersible pumps are the |
| consider both alternatives carefully. The liner pond | | | | simplest and are usually used either in the pond |
| is the simplest and least expensive route. | | | | for a pump-fed system or in the last filter |
| One basic component you'll need to decide on is | | | | chamber of gravity fed system. |
| the type of filter system to use. There are many | | | | Hopefully you can see why I recommend careful |
| choices when it comes to filters but there are | | | | planning before you start building a Koi pond. It is |
| really two made categories - pump-fed and | | | | a large project with a lot of details and design |
| gravity-fed. Do some research to find the type of | | | | decisions that need to be made. Save yourself |
| pump best suited for your pond design. | | | | frustration and money by doing the planning up |
| The type of filtration system to be used is a | | | | front. |
| very important design consideration. You have to | | | | |