Koi Pond Design: How Deep Should I Make My Koi Pond?
Posted in Koi care, Koi Garden, Koi pond on 08/22/2009 06:00 am by KarlaIn my opinion all Koi ponds should be at least three feet deep and not have any areas of the pond that are less than two feet deep!
All of the sides of the pond should go almost straight down rather than tapering. The pond just won’t be safe for your Koi otherwise. If you have any spots, particularly near the edge of the pond, that are less than two feet deep it is like sending out an open invitation to dinner to all the raccoons and blue heron in the area.
Even if you think you live in a relatively predator-free area you will find out differently if you don’t construct your pond defensively when it comes to depth. You might think your fish are safe if you have built a deep area with a cave for your Koi to hide in, but it will still be no match for the blue heron.
This Koi predator will simply wade out into your pond and wait patiently for the fish to come out of hiding.
It is much more aesthetically pleasing to build your pond properly than to find out later that it’s necessary to cover it with a net. A deep pond with steep sides is the best defense against Koi predators.
Another thing to know about depth is that Koi get the most exercise by swimming up and down in the pond as opposed to back and forth, thus to raise healthy, large Koi three feet deep is just the bare minimum. You might want to include an area up to six feet in depth to provide for plenty of exercise as well as safety.
There is a little room to play with when figuring depths for your Koi pond but make sure you take the forgoing tips seriously when planing your Koi pond design!
Alan Deacon
KoiCareBasics.com
02/08/2010 at 12:55 pm
Having the pond deep enough and properly built is something that should be planned right. Not only for the defence of fish against predators but for plant shelves as well such as water lilies.
When I seen that photo of the blue heron brings me back to last year when I came out and a blue heron was in my koi pond. In a way I was shocked to see him there as I have it well protected with fishing line spaced closely together. I took a video of the poor guy as he got tangled in the fishing line on one of his wings. As much as I dislike these birds I still cared for it at the same time. I cut him loose but was a little scared myself with the long beak but he was probably more scared then I was. Something I will never forget.
Your right, ponds should be built right to help protect your koi fish from predators. Thank goodness, he never got any of mine