| The first aspect is location. Avoid building under large | | | | additional 6" all the way round to manoeuvre the shell |
| trees, this will reduce cleaning in the winter months. | | | | into place. As with the liner it's advisable to lay a layer |
| Garden ponds tend to look most natural if situated at | | | | of sand on the bottom to act again as a buffer. Back |
| the lowest point in your garden or yard. The pond | | | | fill and gaps remaining after the pond as been fitted |
| needs to be deep enough to support life all year | | | | to ensure adequate support for the frame. |
| round especially when temperatures drop below | | | | Once the main pond area is completed you will need |
| freezing. There should be an area approx 1/3 of the | | | | to calculate the volume of water it holds to know |
| overall base that is at least 4 - 5' deep, to shallow | | | | the size of filtration system and pump you will |
| off if required to 2'. | | | | require. Fibreglass ponds should be supplied with this |
| There are two means to building a Koi pond . You | | | | information. However if you have built your own |
| can either dig out the area and line with a purpose | | | | pond you will need to do a little arithmetic. |
| pond liner, or you can again dig out the area and fit a | | | | This simple formula will calculate the volume of water |
| fibreglass pond shell. | | | | in your pond: |
| When choosing to use a liner, it will be necessary to | | | | Imperial Gallons |
| ensure all sharp stones have carefully been removed | | | | Length x Width x Average Depth x 6.24 = Volume in |
| and a protective layer of sand be placed across the | | | | Imperial Gallons |
| bottom. Discarded old carpet laid against the side can | | | | Litres |
| also act as a great buffer to protect the lining. When | | | | Length x Width x Average Depth x 1000 = Volume |
| purchasing the lining always remember to allow at | | | | in Litre |
| least 18" overlap all the way round, this will be held in | | | | US Gallons |
| place with either ornamental stones or coping slabs. | | | | Length x Width x Average Depth x 7.5 = Volume in |
| This simple formula will calculate the size of liner | | | | US Gallons |
| required: | | | | Once you know the size of your pond, file this info |
| Take the length + twice the maximum depth + 36" | | | | somewhere safely, if ever in the future you need to |
| Take the width + twice the maximum depth + 36". | | | | add any treatment to the water you will need this |
| When fitting you will need the help of at least two | | | | information. |
| other people, carefully roll out the liner and lay across | | | | You will now be able to purchase a filtration system |
| the hole. One person will need to get in bare foot to | | | | and pump which will be correct for your size of pond. |
| push the liner into position and smooth out the corner | | | | All good aquatic centres will be able to offer you |
| creases. Start to fill the pond, position helpers equal | | | | different products according to your needs and |
| distances around the pond to gently pull the liner into | | | | budget. |
| place. Once you are satisfied the liner is evenly | | | | One of the most important points to now make here |
| distributed continue to fill the pond. | | | | is, OK you have your pump, your filter system and |
| Periodical incisions can be made through the overlap | | | | your pond up and running, but as most Koi keepers |
| between ornament holding stones for planting a few | | | | will tell you it's vital to have good water. I would |
| plants if the finished height is at ground level. Excess | | | | recommend no fish be placed in the pond for at least |
| liner can then be cut away after placing the holding | | | | 4 weeks, this will allow your filtration system to |
| stones in situ. There is nothing wrong in building a | | | | mature and the water to settle. After this time start |
| retaining wall should you wish to have the pond | | | | by introducing just a couple of very small Koi and |
| raised, or you are building on an existing concrete | | | | keep a very close watch on their health for a few |
| base. Just ensure the wall will be strong enough to | | | | weeks. It's not a bad idea to purchase a water |
| take the weight of the water (if unsure consult a | | | | testing kit, and take samples and test regularly to |
| builder). | | | | make sure the water is good. |
| Using a pre moulded fibreglass pond will have to be | | | | I was once told, we don't keep or look after the |
| placed to sit snugly in the dug out area and finished | | | | fish, but we are keepers of water. Get that right and |
| to ground level. Lay the mould upside down and mark | | | | you will have Healthy Happy Koi. |
| out the area to be excavated allowing approx an | | | | |