walshie 2,804 Posted March 3, 2015 Report Share Posted March 3, 2015 I know nothing about Koi carp, and everything you look up on the internet seems to have a different answer. I've "inherited" a raised Koi pond - well it's more a big tank as the previous owner was housebound so had this built outside the window so he could see his fish. It's about 10'x4'x4' which seems to be about 1000 gallons and has a decent filter/aeration system on it. There are a dozen Koi in there all about 10-14" long. The "experts" say this is too small, but the fish have lived in there for 12 years, so it must be big enough? I want to build a proper pond, but don't want to take up the whole garden, so do you reckon the same sort of size would be ok or should I flog a couple of the fish? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
trenchfoot 4,243 Posted March 3, 2015 Report Share Posted March 3, 2015 sounds on the small size to me that walshie. Thing is, even if you build a slightly bigger pond, they will just grow to fill it again. Sell some, and use the cash to fund building a new one 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bosun11 537 Posted March 3, 2015 Report Share Posted March 3, 2015 Don't know that much about em but i do know that its all about the water quality. A good system is essential with koi. Got a couple of mates with good set-ups. They say koi are better off in a good depth of water. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CushtyJook 1,097 Posted March 3, 2015 Report Share Posted March 3, 2015 I have. a smaller set up than what you have mentioned but wating to move somewhere more pernemant to build a larger raised pond, it's more about keeping good quality water than fish if you have good water you'll have happy fish, I only have a few 9inch koi ATM Quote Link to post Share on other sites
treecreeper 1,136 Posted March 3, 2015 Report Share Posted March 3, 2015 Bosuns correct, you don't keep the fish you keep the water and the fish look after themselves. If your building a new one you want to go at least a metre deep prefarably as deep as possible That's how you can get the volume without taking up a lot of room. All depends on what you want what space you have to play with and how much you want to spend. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CushtyJook 1,097 Posted March 3, 2015 Report Share Posted March 3, 2015 Also check out the forum called extreme koi guys on there will know anything worth knowing about koi Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Limb 31 Posted March 3, 2015 Report Share Posted March 3, 2015 Really speaking it's overstocked, but if the water peramiters are ok then the filter is doing it's job. If your going for a new build I'd go minimum 2000 gallons, but remember as the size goes up the size of filters does too. If you go to koi mag forum there's a section on pond builds where people are asking all the questions that will need answering. Hope this helps. My own pond is 5600 gallons with fish up to 78cms, they were bought from bloodlines that produced big fish. I think it's genetics as much as pond size. The people who keep grow the fish huge i.e. 85cms+, generally have heated ponds, expensive filtration and big wallets to be able to afford fish that are capable of growing big while maintaining body shape, skin quality etc. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
j j m 6,534 Posted March 3, 2015 Report Share Posted March 3, 2015 my mate has a big established pond love watching the fish when i go Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CushtyJook 1,097 Posted March 3, 2015 Report Share Posted March 3, 2015 my mate has a big established pond love watching the fish when i go That's exaclty why I love koi and fish ponds I can sit and watch them swimming for hours on end pure relaxation for me Quote Link to post Share on other sites
walshie 2,804 Posted March 3, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 3, 2015 I think I'll stick with something the same sort of size for the moment (so save the cost of new filtration) and get rid of a couple of fish. But then again...mr decisive.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gnasher16 30,045 Posted March 3, 2015 Report Share Posted March 3, 2015 We,ve got a massive great f****n pond i always liked tropical fish so it seemed like a good idea at the time but to be honest they bore me its not like having a tank where you can watch their habits and what they get up to your just standing looking down on Koi a mate of mine pays silly money for them he shows them and all sorts.....i think a good pond is a nice feature in a garden but if you truly enjoy watching fish id go with a tank all day long. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Limb 31 Posted March 3, 2015 Report Share Posted March 3, 2015 When I get 5 mins I'll try and work it out. Gnasher I think your right in the winter but in the summer on a nice day with a few cold beers you can't beat sitting by the pond with the sound of water. 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
treecreeper 1,136 Posted March 3, 2015 Report Share Posted March 3, 2015 bloke near us has a big window in the side of his, mind you the pond in his conservatory is about 18ft x 12ft by 9ft deep, I think he has more water in his gaff than air Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Limb 31 Posted March 3, 2015 Report Share Posted March 3, 2015 (edited) http://s858.photobucket.com/user/Limb123/media/1 Edited March 3, 2015 by Limb 13 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
paulf 820 Posted March 3, 2015 Report Share Posted March 3, 2015 Thats very nice limb . Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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