Want to give your backyard a makeover? Consider adding a koi pond to it. A koi pond can improve the aesthetic appeal of your property and help create a relaxing backyard. Spending some time in a garden with a koi pond is a great way to control blood pressure, reduce stress and anxiety, and boost mental health.

Avoid these koi pond building and maintenance mistakes to keep your koi pond looking great and koi healthy all year round.

Building Your Pond Too Shallow

Koi ponds should be no shallower than two feet. The temperature of a koi pond that is too shallow may fluctuate wildly in winter and summer. Temperature fluctuations could negatively impact fish health and promote algae growth in summer. Koi fish need 10 gallons of water every inch of their length. So, a 12-inch koi needs 120 gallons of water. If you have 5 12-inch koi, your pond should have at least 600 gallons of water.

In a shallow pond, koi may have difficulty regulating their body temperature. Because sunlight reaches the bottom of a shallow pond, algal blooms are more likely to occur in them. Not only is algae unsightly, but it can also affect pond water quality and compete with your koi for nutrients. Make sure your koi pond is at least 36” deep so your koi has ample space to hide when predators like raccoons and herons attack.

Failing to Ensure Your Koi Have Enough Oxygen

High temperatures can have a profound effect on koi health. Given that warm water holds less dissolved oxygen than cold water, dissolved oxygen concentration in your pond can drastically fall in summer, and your koi may have trouble breathing. Algal blooms can also cause dissolved oxygen levels in water to drop.

To maintain normal dissolved oxygen levels, add a waterfall to your pond. A waterfall moves pond water to increase the number of oxygen particles dissolved in it. Alternatively, install a pond air pump. As the name suggests, pond air pumps pump air into pond water to increase dissolved oxygen levels.

If you are having difficulty choosing the right air pump or waterfall for your pond, contact a koi pond company near you in Randolph for help.

Adding Chlorinated Water to Your Pond Without Neutralizing It

Chlorine can damage the gills and skin of your koi fish. When refilling your koi pond, remember to add a chlorine/chloramine neutralizer. Use a water shut-off valve to ensure your tap does not run too long.

Rarely Changing Pond Water

Contaminated water can affect fish growth and health. Fish release pheromones to communicate with each other. These chemicals can build up in your pond and negatively affect koi health. To prevent these problems, change 10-20 percent of pond water every week.

Atlantis Water Gardens is a renowned pond builder in Randolph. Our professionals have years of hands-on experience building different types of ponds. To learn more, call 973-627-0515.