Koi Pond Design

The following are some criteria to consider in your Koi pond deisgn:

Location:  The main goal is to situate the pond where you can enjoy it to the maximum. Usually it should be near the house so you can visit your pond at least twice a day.  However, the pond should not be:

• where it is accessible to the public and may be vandalized.
• under a tree which deposits debris into the pond.
• where surrounding run-off water will drain into the pond.

Architecture: Do you have a theme in mind? Japanese- inspired ponds are typical since Koi culture started in that country.  However, your Koi pond design can have your own theme, of course.   

Size: The bigger, the better.  There are two points to remember in your Koi pond design:

• Do not build it so large that cleaning the pond, catching the Koi, or viewing the Koi is impractical.
• Leave enough room for the biological filter.

Depth:  The ideal depth is at least six feet at its deepest end.  If this is impossible, make it at least more than three feet.  The primary reason is the health of the fish. Shallow ponds invite predators.

Above ground or in ground:  The best angle to view Koi is from above.  From this point of view, their beautiful colors and patterns are more evident. A Koi pond ideally needs to be in the ground so one may look down upon it.

Shape of Pond:  The pond could be any shape that you wish.  The only important factor to consider when designing the shape is that there should always be water movement in all portions of the pond. There should be no static areas where disease-causing bacteria can breed.

Corners & the Bottom: There should be no square corners in your Koi pond design, only rounded ones.  Square corners can form static areas where debris can collect.  The bottom should not be flat.  It needs to slope 20 to 40 degrees toward the bottom drains so that the waste collects in an underlying sump or distal settlement tank.