Healthy Environment!
Build healthy environment in your fish pond that will provide a refuge from freezing, heat and predatory birds.
*First, build your fish pond deep enough to handle winter, and in the summer be adequately shaded by plants.
Depth Chart for a Healthy Environment!
| Hardness Zone* | Marginal Plant Depth | Water Lilies | Fish Depth | | | | | | | 9, 8 | 10" to 12" | 12" | 24" to 36" | | 7, 6 | 10" to 12" | 18" | 24" to 36" | | 5, 4 | 10" to 12" | 24" | 30" to 36" | | 3 | 10" to 12" | 30" | 36" to 40" |
*The rule is that if the pond is smaller than 10’ x 10’, it is too small to have Koi in it. My pond is 19’ x 15’, which is large enough for Koi, but I chose instead to have smaller goldfish.
Fo healthy environment, I decided to under-populate my pond by placing only 12 fish and allow them to multiply until pond’s capacity was met. It provided sufficient room for fish activity.
The first season I fed the fish, but very quickly it became too dependent on this source of food and began to multiply like crazy. It had to stop. Very seldom now I offer any food and my fish population is well adjusted.
*As the waterfall water drops into the pond it actually oxygenates the ponds water. My fish loves that spot best and are very active there because it has the most dissolved oxygen.
Use fountains, waterfalls and /or streams to oxygenate your ponds water.
*From very beginning my concern was to have non-polluted, healthy water.
We don't have a plant filter but we have a good biological filtration system and plants in the pond. Every spring I do yearly cleaning and partial water changes.
This is especially important when there is the absence of plants and plants filters.
*Next rule for healthy environment is to keep your fish free of parasites and bacterial diseases.
I buy my fish from a reputable dealer who regularly treats his fish for parasites. So I feel comfortable to immediately add fish to the pond. However, if you don’t have this luxury, always quarantine your fish for several weeks before adding them to your pond.
If this is not possible, treat the fish for parasites and than add them to the pond. Elimination of parasites will remove the major vector for viral and bacterial infections of your fish.
*To determine your zone check the
USDA map
**In warm climates the deeper depth is to protect fish during the long hot summers. In cold climates, it’s for winter weather protection.
***NOTE: Always check maximum allowable pond depths with your local zoning and/or permit office before planning your pond. Some jurisdictions require a fence if a pond is over a certain depth.
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