I am thinking about building (or beginning to build) a pond next year for koi and/or goldfish. I was wondering which AC members have ponds. For those that do, what do you like most...and least...about your pond?
Does anyone have a GF or Koi pond?
- Thread starter JeffP
- Start date
TheMightyQueenPixie
Best Invention EVER!
I'm taking the liberty of posting the link to TjCanada's "Backyard Puddle"...Great site with lots of DIY info. http://backyardpuddle.aaquaria.com/index.html
I did, for a while, about 4 years I guess... only 3 koi though, they were sweet and they did succesfully mate! 
TJCanada,
Beautiful pond and gardens! I look forward to going through your entire site later. My 3 yr old is waiting impatiently for this computer since her sister is on the other one.
I noticed you put a shelf in for safety if someone should fall in. That's a good idea. Did you put any other safety features in place? I have a 3 and 5 year old and their are several children under 5 years old in neighboring homes.
How do you like your vortex system? I noticed they seem very popular in the UK. Did you evaluate any bead filters when building your pond?
By for now.
Beautiful pond and gardens! I look forward to going through your entire site later. My 3 yr old is waiting impatiently for this computer since her sister is on the other one.
I noticed you put a shelf in for safety if someone should fall in. That's a good idea. Did you put any other safety features in place? I have a 3 and 5 year old and their are several children under 5 years old in neighboring homes.
How do you like your vortex system? I noticed they seem very popular in the UK. Did you evaluate any bead filters when building your pond?
By for now.
Jeff, thank you for your nice comments.
Bead Filters...well, we have 2 sitting in the backyard - but not in use. If we do add 1 to the pond, it would be used more as a polisher at the tail end of the system - I really don't see much use for them otherwize, but that's just my opinion.
The vortex works like a charm! Hubby and I are quite please with the results so far, it's fairly easy to maintain - about 1hr out of our week for cleaning. We plan on adding a smaller version next year that will run another skimmer - a bit differenty designed tho...
Safety feature's...With the old pond we had(b4 the upgrade) there was a 2 1/2ft high decorative fence around the ponds acting as a barrier along with some raised flowerbeds. Our youngest child was not quite 2yrs old when we installed the orginal pond. Now,other than the fence surrounding our backyard with a locked gate, there's nothing other than landscaping. Our 3 kids are a bit older now, and have full respect for the pond and it's dangers - this is something we've repeated discussed with them. We implimented a RULE - no children in the backyard without adult supervision. It's worked well this year with the larger pond and I'm glad our children have adhered to the rule - to the point of even "educating" thier friends about safety.
Regards, TJ
Bead Filters...well, we have 2 sitting in the backyard - but not in use. If we do add 1 to the pond, it would be used more as a polisher at the tail end of the system - I really don't see much use for them otherwize, but that's just my opinion.
The vortex works like a charm! Hubby and I are quite please with the results so far, it's fairly easy to maintain - about 1hr out of our week for cleaning. We plan on adding a smaller version next year that will run another skimmer - a bit differenty designed tho...
Safety feature's...With the old pond we had(b4 the upgrade) there was a 2 1/2ft high decorative fence around the ponds acting as a barrier along with some raised flowerbeds. Our youngest child was not quite 2yrs old when we installed the orginal pond. Now,other than the fence surrounding our backyard with a locked gate, there's nothing other than landscaping. Our 3 kids are a bit older now, and have full respect for the pond and it's dangers - this is something we've repeated discussed with them. We implimented a RULE - no children in the backyard without adult supervision. It's worked well this year with the larger pond and I'm glad our children have adhered to the rule - to the point of even "educating" thier friends about safety.
Regards, TJ
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WOW TJCANADA I LOVE YOU FISH, UNFORTUANATLY IT WOULDN'T WIN A CONTEST 
but its a lovely fish!
I prefer an internal pump to an external tho.
With those, you could set up two pumps, 1 drawing from the bottom, and another skimming the top. When winter comes, just turn the bottom one off, leaving it all nice and warm, and the top would get rid of those F***ING leaves
Jeff, the thing is, do you want a pond with or without fish? Do you want koi? Goldfish? Ornimental pond? Koi pond, etc etc
I have a 1000gal ornimental pond, but im gonna rip it all out, to make it all deep, great for my little koi
but its a lovely fish!
I prefer an internal pump to an external tho.
With those, you could set up two pumps, 1 drawing from the bottom, and another skimming the top. When winter comes, just turn the bottom one off, leaving it all nice and warm, and the top would get rid of those F***ING leaves
Jeff, the thing is, do you want a pond with or without fish? Do you want koi? Goldfish? Ornimental pond? Koi pond, etc etc
I have a 1000gal ornimental pond, but im gonna rip it all out, to make it all deep, great for my little koi
I don't have anything "in writing" for a pond but I was thinking of a square pond with approximately 4-5 ft in ground and extending 1.5 to 2 ft above ground level by building a knee wall. This would match my 16x30 patio which also has a knee wall around it. On top of the knee wall, I was thinking about an additional 2' decorative metal fence that is somehow designed so that kids can't easily climb it. My hope is that as long as kids can look through the fence and see the koi they will be less inclined to climb the fence.
Since my inlaws are all masons, I would probably pour a concrete pad and build block walls. Then install a 45mil liner and (somehow) hide the liner inside the knee wall. That way it won't be exposed if the water level is lowered to groundlevel during the winter. I haven't really decided on size but it would probably be around 4,000 to 5,000 gallons.
I plan on building an arbor over my patio this summer because I'm sick of walking on a "frying pan". The patio is Pennsylvania bluestone which is dark and can get very hot. I would plan on building a matching arbor over the pond...maybe by extending the patio arbor.
I am far from laying out the plumbing but I would need a compact, closed system so that I don't have to rely on gravity feed and can locate my filters almost anywhere. I have a cousin who is a plumber and my brother is a licensed electrician. You can bet they would be put to work.
Inhabitants would obviously be koi.
I think I've mentioned it before, but my biggest obstacle is child safety. It is the one issue that is a potential "deal-breaker." I have to convince my wife (and myself) that I can build this pond and operate it safely in the presence young children.
Hypancistrus-zebra - keep us posted on your expansion.
TJCanada - keep us posted on any new developments in your pond. I will certainly check your web site from time-to-time!
Since my inlaws are all masons, I would probably pour a concrete pad and build block walls. Then install a 45mil liner and (somehow) hide the liner inside the knee wall. That way it won't be exposed if the water level is lowered to groundlevel during the winter. I haven't really decided on size but it would probably be around 4,000 to 5,000 gallons.
I plan on building an arbor over my patio this summer because I'm sick of walking on a "frying pan". The patio is Pennsylvania bluestone which is dark and can get very hot. I would plan on building a matching arbor over the pond...maybe by extending the patio arbor.
I am far from laying out the plumbing but I would need a compact, closed system so that I don't have to rely on gravity feed and can locate my filters almost anywhere. I have a cousin who is a plumber and my brother is a licensed electrician. You can bet they would be put to work.
Inhabitants would obviously be koi.
I think I've mentioned it before, but my biggest obstacle is child safety. It is the one issue that is a potential "deal-breaker." I have to convince my wife (and myself) that I can build this pond and operate it safely in the presence young children.
Hypancistrus-zebra - keep us posted on your expansion.
TJCanada - keep us posted on any new developments in your pond. I will certainly check your web site from time-to-time!
JeffP - I notice you are in 'cuse. There is a great pond "farm" near Canandaigua. Check out their web site: www.willowpondaquafarms.com
If you can take a road trip next spring/summer it is well worth it! The place is phenomenal!!!!!!!!!!!!
I do have a pond by the way. Mine is somewhat crescent shaped with a waterfall at one end, fountain at the other end. I am not sure on the size, it's on the small side. It doesn't freeze in the winter though. I have a little floating heater that keeps it from icing over. I purchased the heater at Central Tractor for twenty bucks about five years ago and it's still working!
The biggest problems I have had have been overfeeding, keeping the neighbor's Chow out of it, and another neighbor's cat that stalks the birds and koi. I have had the pond for about six years.
As for safety, how about a small arched bridge acroiss the center of it with rails? The curious little ones can look from teh bridge with safety. You can also put a net over the water surface which will help keep leaves out (probably not strong enough for a child though).
Willow Pond has been the source of most everything I use. I have purchased Koi, liners, pump - almost everything from them. They have great products and are very knowledgeable. They have a catalog that they mail out also.
The pond was what got me started with fish. I have had the pond for almost ten years now and it has been very satisfying. I find it to be very relaxing!
I hope you get your pond!
DrD
If you can take a road trip next spring/summer it is well worth it! The place is phenomenal!!!!!!!!!!!!
I do have a pond by the way. Mine is somewhat crescent shaped with a waterfall at one end, fountain at the other end. I am not sure on the size, it's on the small side. It doesn't freeze in the winter though. I have a little floating heater that keeps it from icing over. I purchased the heater at Central Tractor for twenty bucks about five years ago and it's still working!
The biggest problems I have had have been overfeeding, keeping the neighbor's Chow out of it, and another neighbor's cat that stalks the birds and koi. I have had the pond for about six years.
As for safety, how about a small arched bridge acroiss the center of it with rails? The curious little ones can look from teh bridge with safety. You can also put a net over the water surface which will help keep leaves out (probably not strong enough for a child though).
Willow Pond has been the source of most everything I use. I have purchased Koi, liners, pump - almost everything from them. They have great products and are very knowledgeable. They have a catalog that they mail out also.
The pond was what got me started with fish. I have had the pond for almost ten years now and it has been very satisfying. I find it to be very relaxing!
I hope you get your pond!
DrD
the best thing about kids, is they love throwing things in ponds, lol little buggars!Here is an idea, Ive knicked of a customer, I wouldnt say it solved the solution, cause theres abviously a few problems with it. But it is a good idea, hopfully it will spark a few new ideas for yourself.
sorry for the great art work, lol. Here a customer used netting, but only covered the edges, at roughtly 30 degrees from the water line. This was a great heron stopper. (you guys got herons where you live, right?) Well it also stopped majority of the leaves, and still allowed the fish easily seen, food easily put in, and the fish could easily come get some air.
Ive got loads of other ideas, but i got college now, so ill hopfully come ere l8r!
bye