Enough space for small koi pond? design suggestions?

alecmcmahon

AC Members
Jun 23, 2008
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here is some pictures of my backyard corner, where i would like to install a koi pond/ flower area.( digging myself , and will use a liner )

i dont mind having to dig down, ( hopefully i dont find any pipes or giant roots )

but i laid out a simple design with hose and had my brother stand there for scale,

can anybody tell if this would be enough for koi and goldfish? i would image i could go 30" down @ the deepest


and also any suggestions for a first time pond builder and future koi owner?




i'll probably be using standard gray slate rock for the majority of the job, and MAYBE a nice square cobble stone for the front ,.... like build it up a bit, maybe 20" or so on the " wall " for sitting, and to have flowers in front of. ...also i'd like to incorporate a water fall in the corner falling into the pond, and also have some lights illuminate the water

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THANKS!
 
You should come out further. I like the corner design and how long it is, but make it as wide as you can, maybe all the way to the tree. Koi get big and need to be able to turn around. If it was me, I'd use the whole yard :D
 
That would be fine for goldies, but it looks pretty small for koi. Remember, they will eventually be 24" long or more.

Also- consider how close the edge of the pond is to the fence. You're not leaving yourself much room for landscaping; I'd pull it out at least another foot, room enough for a few tall plants or rockwork to provide a nice backdrop. Every time you finish a pond, you immediately think "Why didn't I make it bigger?", so try to plan it larger than you think it needs to be now.
 
thanks, i'll prob will wind up bringing it out a foot, and yes there will be space between the fence and the hole, for rock wall, and waterfall.

how does a 12" shelf by 30" deep center sound?

my only other concern getting closer to the tree is the roots, and i do not want to damage or harm the tree
 
Where do you live? The more extreme the temps are, the deeper the pond needs to be.

You're going to hit roots. Tree roots tend to spread out about as far as the branches do, so it's easy to mark off areas that will likely have few roots, but it doesn't look like your corner will be in one of those areas. Still, if you keep the excavation several feet from the base of the tree you won't do much harm to it.
 
I got a pond and water garden book at Lowe's; I think it was published by Sunset. I've also seen one by Better Homes and Gardens. Both give a decent overview of techniques and products for making small ponds.

New Jersey has a pretty mild climate, so 30" should be plenty deep enough for goldfish. I understand that koi prefer deeper water.
 
Wouldnt a tree that big, possibly pierce a liner, being that close?
 
what would be ideal for koi? as they are my main goal, some goldfish would be nice, but we would really enjoy the koi.


i know prices vary from place to place, but with that outline i have pictured ( maybe a foot or 2 bigger ) 30-36" deep end, with 12-15 shelf.

what do you think that would run me for a liner and pump( how many GPH?? /uv filter.

( rock is a totally diffrent story i know )
 
Wouldnt a tree that big, possibly pierce a liner, being that close?

i have a friend that has a small koi pond they built right up next to a tree, and they said they put some material down underneather the liner, but he said it was hardly a problem.
 
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