Myrtle
Member
Hi,
I have several large mutt koi in my largest pond which were rescues, but it's reached the point that they are too large for it. I have 2 options; rehome or build an even bigger pond. I'm exploring the latter initially, hence this post.
Since building the original ponds, my health has declined, so I'm not convinced I can physically dig a pond big enough for these fish, so I've been looking at raised ponds. I also need to do it on a budget, so the likes of EZ Ponds are out! I'm also finding the amount of plumbing etc for Koi ponds seems to be incredibly complicated, my current one is filtered by a pump and Blagdon box filter, no bottom drains or other fancy stuff and the fish are thriving (hence being too big for the pond now!).
Why is it that Koi ponds apparently need all this extra stuff? Is it because they tend to be overstocked or because they tend not to be planted? Some of the koi ponds I've seen look very barren, just like a bare bottom tank full of water. I can't see that providing much stimulation for the fish?
Anyway, I was thinking to make this a more formal style pond (my other 4 are all natural ones) but does it really have to be bottom drained and barren if it houses koi??
I have several large mutt koi in my largest pond which were rescues, but it's reached the point that they are too large for it. I have 2 options; rehome or build an even bigger pond. I'm exploring the latter initially, hence this post.
Since building the original ponds, my health has declined, so I'm not convinced I can physically dig a pond big enough for these fish, so I've been looking at raised ponds. I also need to do it on a budget, so the likes of EZ Ponds are out! I'm also finding the amount of plumbing etc for Koi ponds seems to be incredibly complicated, my current one is filtered by a pump and Blagdon box filter, no bottom drains or other fancy stuff and the fish are thriving (hence being too big for the pond now!).
Why is it that Koi ponds apparently need all this extra stuff? Is it because they tend to be overstocked or because they tend not to be planted? Some of the koi ponds I've seen look very barren, just like a bare bottom tank full of water. I can't see that providing much stimulation for the fish?
Anyway, I was thinking to make this a more formal style pond (my other 4 are all natural ones) but does it really have to be bottom drained and barren if it houses koi??