DIY Koi Fish Pond

Koi are Japanese carp that are larger than their cousin, the goldfish, and come in a variety of colors. A backyard koi pond is an attractive addition to any garden landscape and creates a charming place to have a cup of tea or read a book. Ponds with water features create a pleasant background sound that minimizes most noise, including traffic, and watching koi is relaxing and creates a serene atmosphere. Backyard ponds attract birds, butterflies and dragonflies, and they create a natural habitat for frogs and toads. Building a koi pond is easy and can usually be finished in one weekend.

Things You'll Need

  • Preformed pond liner
  • Shovel
  • Rice
  • Level
  • Sand
  • 2-inch-by-4-inch post
  • Rocks
  • Dechlorination tablets
  • Pond pump/filter/spitter
  • Floating aquatic plants
  • Koi
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Instructions

    • 1

      Find the best location for your pond. Avoid areas with heavy tree roots or overhanging tree branches that will drop leaves into the pond. A slightly shady area with some direct sun is best; full sun will heat the pond water and cause problems with algae growth. Make sure it easily accessible for maintenance and routine cleaning, and that is near a power source for the water feature.

    • 2

      Buy a pond liner that will fit in the location you've chosen. Also purchase a pump, filter and spitter to help keep the water clean and provide enough oxygen to keep your fish healthy. A spitter--often a representation of a fish, animal, frog or cherub--"spits" water into the pond. It creates a waterfall-like effect without actually having to build a waterfall.

    • 3

      Turn the pond liner upside down in the location you want to install it. Outline the perimeter by sprinkling around its edges with rice. Begin in the center and dig the hole for your pond, extending 2 inches beyond the perimeter and 2 inches deeper than the height of the liner. Put the liner in the hole to make sure it is a good fit.

    • 4

      Remove the liner and set aside. Fill the bottom of the hole with 2 inches of sand; water lightly to compact it. Place the liner back in the hole. The upper lip of the pond liner should be at least 1 inch higher than the surrounding area to prevent soil and from getting into the pond. Fill the liner with 2 inches of water. Put the 2-by-4 across the top of the liner and use a level to check if the liner is level. If it is not, add more sand to the area that is lower. It is important to do this now; once it is filled it will be too heavy to move. Add 3 more inches of water in the liner and check for level. If so, fill in the edges around the pond with the removed dirt and sand, packing down tightly. Fill the pond to within 2 inches of the upper lip of the liner.

    • 5

      Edge the pond liner with large, flat stones that will not tip into the pond, covering the lip. Add dechlorination tablets according to the manufacturer's instructions. Assemble the pump, filter and spitter according to the package directions. Place the pump and filter at the bottom of the pond, resting on a rock or brick to raise it off the pond floor. Plug the filter in and adjust the spitter to the desired pattern. Allow the pond to sit for three days.

    • 6

      Add aquatic plants to the pond, making sure there are no trailing roots to tangle in the pump. Buy the koi, choosing a variety of colors. You will take them home in plastic bags filled with water from the pet store. Allow the fish to adjust to the temperature of the pond by placing the closed plastic bags in the pond for a few hours. Open the bag and let the koi swim free.