Koi Pond Interior Decorating Ideas

Koi ponds are one of the most beautiful additions to an outdoor garden setting. Watching these peaceful, beautiful fish reduces stress, lowers blood pressure and is a welcome addition to any garden oasis. But how can you bring this attraction indoors?

  1. Space

    • The first consideration for an indoor pond is space. Koi fish grow rather large and need a large space to thrive. The recommended amount of space is 1 gallon per inch of fish. The space you choose for your pond should get a few hours of natural sunlight as well as a few hours of shade. This will help the fish and plants survive. And you need to choose an area that has a strong foundation to support the weight of the pond. Your pond can easily weigh upwards of several hundred pounds when filled, which can place a large stress on your floor or walls. It is best to choose a large open room to house your koi pond so that you can give the fish the best possible environment to grow and allow for full enjoyment of the feature.

    Design

    • Next, determine whether a preformed insert or flexible liner is best for your application. A preformed liner is usually constructed out of rigid plastic and is easy to install, but limit the choices you will have for shape and size. A flexible liner will allow you the flexibility of designing your own shape and size to fit your space, both physically and aesthetically, though will require more in the way of framing and support. Flexible liners also have a tendency to develop leaks over time more often than rigid liners.

    Plants

    • Lastly, plant the pond. There are many beautiful, decorative water and semi water plants to choose from. The most important consideration here is that koi fish are naturally curious animals and will taste everything in their reach. With this being said, do some research and find out what plants are safe to use and which may be toxic. Known safe plants are water lilies, water lettuce, anacharis, and many ground cover plants. These plants serve several functions. One, they remove excess nutrients from the water, preventing algae blooms, two, they give the fish something to eat, and three, they make your pond beautiful. Planting should be strategic to accent the surrounding decor of the space as well as provide the necessary functionality to the pond.