Are you thinking about featuring a koi pond in your garden? Perhaps you already have a pond but are concerned that it might not be the optimum size. There are several reasons why size really matters!
Don't overstock your pond
You may be challenged for space and your budget might restrict the size of pond that you can build. But it important to remember that koi do not do well in overcrowded ponds. If there are too many fish, they can't engage in their favourite hobby - swimming around. In addition, there won't be enough secluded areas of the pond for all of the fish to retreat too when they feel the need.
Maintain good water quality
To make matters worse, an overstocked pond will make maintaining good water quality next to impossible. There will be too much fish waste in the water causing ammonia and nitrite to develop and your fish will most likely succumb to serious health issues as a result.
Small ponds and temperature change
The smaller the volume of water, the greater the speed at which it heats up or cools down. Koi do not react well to rapid temperature changes and so are better suited to larger ponds. Shallow ponds are particularly prone to rapid temperature changes.
Your fish will grow
What appears to be an understocked pond could soon start to look overcrowded as koi can grow very quickly. You should bear this fact in mind when stocking your pond and err on the side of caution. Fortune rarely favours the brave with koi ponds! It is best to think ahead and plan carefully because choosing a smaller pond could prove to be a false economy as you may end up having to build a second pond or a much larger replacement to accommodate your fish. What appears to be a huge pond at the outset could start to look rather diminutive when your fish have had a few years to grow.
What size should you choose?
If you are a beginner, it can be hard to decide what size of pond to build. Start by thinking about how many fish you would like to keep in it. A good rule of thumb to work by is that you should have 10 gallons of water for every inch of fish and a minimum of 1000 gallons in the pond. Your pond should be at least 3ft deep. In addition to helping create a more stable environment, a good depth of water helps your Koi to exercise. Swimming up and down causes their muscles to develop and results in a good, streamlined shape to their body. Koi that have been kept in shallow ponds often develop a somewhat obese appearance like a rugby ball! A pond which is 3ft deep and which measure 8ft x 6ft would contain a little over 1000 gallons of water but this size of pond could only safely accommodate 5 koi. You are going to need a significant amount of space to create the perfect pond!