Koi ponds have become a popular hobby in the world, and the reasons are clear as
to why. Koi are beautiful, vibrant fish that can literally light your day. Koi
come in many colors, varieties, and kinds, so it is likely that everyone in the
world can find at least one type of Koi that would suit their likes. While Koi
may be a welcomed beauty to your pond, they also have an interesting history
attached to them.
In Chinese culture, Koi ponds are said to being good luck to their owners. Koi
ponds are used as an overall plan to fulfill their lives. Other parts of the
world consider Koi ponds as a form of relaxation and serenity. In the united
states, more and more people seem to find Koi ponds to be fun more then anything
else. No matter what the reason you find to have a Koi pond, they are sure to
brighten your life.
However, Koi keeping should not be taken lightly. Koi, like any other animal,
require time and money to maintain. The majority of first time Koi owners fail
because they get the idea that keeping Koi is easy in some way. Do not let this
discourage you though, as educating yourself will greatly improve your chances
of succeeding.
It is important for you to learn all you can BEFORE you begin obtaining the
things you need for Koi keeping. This way, you will not slip up and have to
replace anything that you have already done or bought. Planning ahead will not
only save your money, but it will potentially save your sanity as well.
It is important to learn the information for yourself rather then relying on
other sources. People such as your product dealer and pond builder will have
limited knowledge, but should not be trusted for a reliable source, as they are
selling products and may be bias. Plus, once you are at home with your Koi, your
product dealer or pond builder may not be available to help you in the event of
a problem.
Koi Have Personality
You would not believe that Koi actually have personalities similar to other
animals. They are social, and can even be trained to eat directly from their
owners hands. The more time you spend with your Koi, the more you will notice
each Koi has individual characteristics and traits.
Koi have been known to live for up to 200 years at time, but generally the
average lifespan of a healthy Koi is about 30 years. So if you are looking for
along time pet companion, Koi may be a good choice.
Building Your Koi Habitat
Before ever buying Koi, you must create a proper habitat for them. This is where
information from your pond builder and supplier will come in handy. However, you
should not rely on the opinions of just one person. It may be a god idea to do
research on your own, before you go to purchase the materials needed for you
pond. Because of it’s popularity, an unlimited supply of resources can be found
on the topic of Koi keeping. Visit your local library, fishery center, or
research online. There are quite a few things needed to sustain a habitable
pond.
When it comes to pond size, bigger is always better. Koi have a habit of growing
rather fast, so you have to consider pond size at the same time you are
considering how many Koi you are going to put it in.
Your filtration system is extremely important. There are 2 types of filtration,
mechanical and biological. Mechanical filtration relives the pond of solids such
as dead algae, insects, and Koi wastes. It is important to have enough
filtration to sustain the size of the pond, and the amount and size of your Koi.
Biological filtration causes a nitrogen cycle, which is what removes dissolved
wastes from your pond. Without biological filtration, built up waste will turn
into ammonia and kill your Koi within just a few days.
Besides the technical aspects of your pond, you will also have the ability to
create a visually appealing area as well. Waterfalls, fountains, and other water
features will not only add a visual show to your pond, but it will also create
movement and sound. A variety of plants and flowers are also available for your
pond.