If a koi pond is suitable for your yard and preferences, it takes just nine simple steps to go from no pond to a healthy, attractive water feature. Choose the Location Ideally, a koi pond should be naturally integrated into your backyard landscape, following the flow of your terrain. Placing the pond in an area that gets both sun and shade will help keep it balanced and give your fish both a warm area and cool area to enjoy as needed. Avoid positioning the pond where runoff from sprinklers or storms will flow into the water and contaminate the pond with excess chemicals, dirt or other debris. Dig the Pond A good koi pond will be 3-5 feet deep, depending on the number of fish you hope to have, and the overall volume should be at least 1,000-1,500 gallons. When digging the pond, the edges should be level and relatively even, and steep sides will help protect the pond from marauders such as herons, raccoons and cats. Install the Equipment A bottom drain is essential to help clean a pond quickly, and an adequate filter and pump are equally necessary to circulate water, aerate the pond and minimize algae growth. Choose high quality equipment that is the proper size for your pond's depth and volume. This is also the time to install a waterfall, fountain or other movement feature if desired.
