If You want Large Koi You Need A Large Koi Pond Preferably Built Using Concrete

A concrete pond is possible the right the material if you decide you want large and deep koi pond and for ponds that are landscaped into public places like parks, Disney World and shopping malls. Concrete is probably the wrong choice when you want to build a small to medium yard pond or small fish pond. Concrete ponds are engineering projects especially if you want to grow large koi.

The major challenge to take into account when you decide to build a concrete koi pond is to make sure it will never leak. This is easier said than done as is evidenced by the wide range of products available for repairing concrete ponds. You don't want a pond that suddenly starts to lose water through a crack which is very difficult to find.

This subject of building fish ponds made from concrete is beyond the scope of this web site. However this does not mean that koi are unsuitable for small and medium sized yard ponds. In fact the colours, grace and beauty of koi make them an essential ingredient for a back-yard pond no matter what size or shape. The subject of koi-keeping keeps many people enthralled completely every day of their lives. Koi ponds are now found in most countries of the world (Australia is a exception where koi are banned)

If you build a koi pond to grow large koi then make sure your pond depth is at least four feet deep and preferably six feet deep. By creating a deeper pond you allow a more constant temperature environment and like all fish koi prefer stability in their living environment.

If you really want a large concrete pond then you should engage a skilled pond builder. People who build good swimming pools do not necessarily build good koi ponds. Koi ponds require a completely different design approach such as the need for bottom drains, and wall design and filter requirements are very important design aspects.

Koi grow large when well fed and cared for in large concrete ponds with state of the art filtration mechanisms (the preferred filter systems are those in which the biomedia is agitated or at least is surrounded by agitated water conditions). This means the best filter media by far are Japanese matting (static bed surround by turbulent water) or Kaldnes (both biomedia and water are in a constant state of turbulence).

Koi enjoy and thrive in an environment where they can exercise by swimming in water which does not usually go below 15 degrees centigrade. Most top koi ponds in colder climates are now heated during winter.

For larger pond filters in the US click here  Aquabead Pond Bio Filters For Koi Ponds The Aquabead agitated filter system makes it easy to keep systems clean with minimal effort.

To be successful in the growing of "jumbo" koi your koi ponds must be built to exacting standards and include top notch pond equipment including these below ...

• Bottom drains ... at least one and more if you have an extra large pond. Pond floor needs to be designed well to slope towards the bottom drain.

• Correct shape to prevent dead spots

• Pond skimmer systems to remove flaoting debris and reduce the mechanical load on pond filters

• Good pond depth (6ft and more)

• High flow rates that favour good biological conversion of ammonia and nitrites in pond filters

• Winter heating of the koi pond water to allow koi fish to keep eating and growing

• Large and sophisticated pond filter systems like the Aquabead, Aquadyne or Biotek pond filters found here ... Aquabead Pond Bio Filters For Koi Ponds

• Large volumes of water are required to allow koi fish to develop their body shapes by exercising.

• Large ponds are necessary to ensure a degree of stability in the fish environment.

• Spare and reliable pond pumps ... including electrical back-up of some kind

• Highly regular and thorough mechanical cleaning regimes best done on a semi automatic basis. Solid debris can collect in large quantities very quickly in a heavily stocked koipond

• Large air pumps are absolutely vital especially in summer conditions. Air should be injected into all pond areas and in the feed water entering pond filters.

• Highly specialized feeding regimes along with different koi diets. Koi need high protein food. Beware of special feeding (or even no feeding) in winter conditions.