Water Gardens & Koi Pods

A pond or water garden can become the focal point for all backyard landscapes. Backyard ponds and water gardens are a place for birds, butterflies, frogs and fish to flourish. Whether you decide you want a pond primarily as a water garden or to enjoy Koi or goldfish, it's your choice. You can enjoy the peaceful sights and sounds of a bustling ecosystem. You can also add garden statuary, stone bird baths, outdoor garden water fountains to enhance your enjoyment. Consider stocking your backyard pond with native fish. They are fun to watch and help keep the pond free of unwanted insects. Most small ponds will warm up quickly in the summer, so make sure you stock with fish that can tolerate elevated temperatures. You'll also need scavengers, such as aquatic snails and tadpoles, to help control algae. Having pond and a waterfall in your back yard is much more than digging a hole and running a hose to fill it up. Homeowners today's can choose between water fountains, waterfalls, streams, and even pondless streams and waterfalls. You will have to decide which type of feature you will enjoy the most and will fit your yard. Also a lot of that will depend on how much work you are willing to do after the work is completed. It is best to find out what the maintenance requirements are for the individual systems before you commit. Garden water fountains have adorned yards and gardens almost as long as man has been around. Even the ancient Egyptians enjoyed a respite from the desert with their beautiful fountains, often surrounded with impressive rows of decorative and fruit-bearing trees which were irrigated by these fountains. Just like you, these old Egyptians relaxed in the shade and tranquility of their trees and listened to the soothing splashes of their garden water fountains after a long days work. (when they were not building pyramids )  If you are going to view your pond or fountain at night as I like to do you will need to decide how to light it. Underwater Lighting or path lighting or both are two options. After you have made these decisions, unless you are an electrician you will have to check out the costs with a qualified electrician who has experience wiring electric around water. The electrical source can be hidden by plants and stonework. Plan for that too, lots of stones make it look natural. Place the stone in a random pattern big and little so it doesn't look like a ring. Next decide if you want to design and build it yourself, hire a contractor or buy a kit. If you build it yourself, how will you line it? I preferred to line mine with concrete. A much easier way is to use a rubber liner and cover it with stones. Now that you have the idea and the plan jump in there and get started. You will need to decide where to place your new feature which seems simple enough, but there are several things to consider. Pick an area away from trees. You do not want to damage tree roots. Also you will not have to spend all your time cleaning leaves out of your pond and filtration system Whether you want a waterfall or a water fountain you will need electricity. A pump will also be needed to circulate the water through your skimmer and filter system. Some people want to see water lilies in their yard, others want to see fish. Still others want to raise koi. All three ponds have different requirements. The Water Garden Pond Specializes In Plants: The Goldfish pond Is For Goldfish.: The Koi Pond Is For Koi: Garden Ponds: includes plants, and does not require filtration or fish, very little care. Insect control will establish over time (dragonfly larva will consume mosquito larva and other pests).

Goldfish Ponds: Requires some maintenance, can be planted, pond filters added to keep water clear enough to appreciate the fish. A balance of nature will establish over time making maintenance very easy. Plants will provide shelter for fish and the recycling of fish waste and discarded food. Koi Ponds: have no plants, Koi are the primary attraction in this type of pond. Koi are bottom feeders in the natural environment, and they will root out any plants, upturn pots and tear apart foliage which in turn clogs filtration units and causes unsightly environment. They have different needs than goldfish, therefore Koi will do best if not mixed. Koi grow to 36" in desirable conditions. They can withstand temperatures from 39-89F. Substantial pond depth can assure consistency of pond temperatures. They require larger ponds than goldfish or lilies. Koi can be costly to purchase and can jump out of a small pond. Safeguards need to be included in building design. Goldfish Pond: Full sun to full shade. Depending upon the pond and whether plants will be added, the pond can be placed anywhere. However, it would be best to place the pond where it can be enjoyed easily from the house or patio areas. If the pond will be filtered, it should be located near a source of GFCI electric outlet. Goldfish will breed readily if left undisturbed, and quickly fill their environment. They are not particular as to size of pond. They are capable of withstanding near-freezing temperatures and can survive shallow depths. Koi Pond: Koi can get sunburned, so will benefit from shade to part-shade conditions. It is important that you are able to view the pond from the house to monitor water levels, predatory animals or bird presences, or simply enjoy the pond from inside during winter months. Place the pond within reach of electric (GFCI) and a water source (for easy water changes or refills). Trees can bring problems with dropped leaves decaying in water, clogging filter lines, and filling skimmers. Filtration Requirements: What type filter do I need? Aerator, spitter, fountain, or none. Goldfish Pond: Aerator, spitter, fountain, submersible pump and underwater filter, waterfall, or simple outside-of-pond filter. Goldfish ponds can be as sophisticated as a koi pond if you want to spend the money but not necessary. Koi Pond: Out-of-pond filters, vortex and/or bubble-bead system, bottom drain, complete pond water movement. Internal-feed jets can be used to circulate water, continually feeding debris to the bottom drain. Pumps are located outside the pond. Aeration is desirable through filtration units. A koi pond filter should turn over the total gallons from two to four times an hour to be effective. Also a ultra-violet light unit, appropriately-sized for the size pond, would be desirable to kill undesirable germs and bacteria in the water. As an added benefit, it helps control the "pea soup" algae. Now that you have made your decisions and your pond or fountain is complete. You can sit back and enjoy. Add a few Koi and mosquito fish and have the friendliest pets in the neighborhood that more or less take care of themselves and do not wake the neighbors up at night. One last thing each summer I lower the water level by pumping the rich nutrient water onto my lawn and then fill with clean water. This tends to refresh everything and keeps the Koi very happy. Also you lawn will look great. Check out all the sources here for Waterfalls, Fountains, Wall Fountans, Indoor Fountains, Garden Fountains, Pond Filters.