My backyard pond build koi or native. Follow along!

Hello all! This is my backyard pond build that I’m starting. It’s gonna be about 5ftx6ft across and will go down to 3 foot depth at points. I was wondering… should I do goldfish and maybe 1-2 small koi and grow them up or should I do a native pond with say bluegill, bullhead catfish, small bass, minnows. (a gar???) I live in nashville TN so if anyone else has good ideas share them… there’s a few pics about the progress. I will give more inside specs later

 

If it were me, out of personal preference I would do Koi/Goldfish and grow them.

 

Why not a bit of both? Could go native plus a koi as a centerpiece.

If legal there, dojo/weather loaches are funny little critters.

 

Natives are not as visible as koi, something to consider.

Natives might be cheaper to replace if raccoons are going to be a problem.

 

Why not a bit of both? Could go native plus a koi as a centerpiece.

If legal there, dojo/weather loaches are funny little critters.

ive never thought about that! dojo loaches are legal here.

Natives are not as visible as koi, something to consider.

Natives might be cheaper to replace if raccoons are going to be a problem.

I know that they aren't as visible but the feeding would be way more fun... especially with a gar or bass. would a spotted gar fit in the pond?

 

Thats a little pond when your talking about koi, bass, gars etc.

 

Could do rosy reds would be cheap and visible.

 

Update! Pond is finished digging

 

Thats a little pond when your talking about koi, bass, gars etc.

Yep, but some “little bass” like crappie or pumpkinseed would be just as fun feeders if not more. A pack of 6 vs 1 bass or gar? It’s chaos!

 

Going to Lowe’s to see if they have any materials I like for the pond including a liner, pump, waterfall, etc. will update later

 

I think native would be cool!

 

Here’s what I got today at Lowe’s also here’s a look at what I want kinda

 

Ok… so I bought the other few things I needed on Amazon and I think I’m gonna go with pumpkin seed sunfish as my center piece fishies and have a ton of minnows and stuff too!

 

Something to consider…..some unsolicited advice. I strongly suggest you avoid those shallow plant ledges on the edges. I know why you’re doing it, but these shallow ledges literally become “perches” for Great Blue Herons to stand on to pick off your fish. Ideally, the shallowest part of a koi pond should be no less than 24”. If you want to do the plants, support them from underneath or use a floating support.
I say all this now ……before you install the rubber and fill. I’ve kept koi ponds for over thirty years and just want your fish to be ok. I do like your 36” depth, but 48” would be better if you plan to leave your fish out over winter. My edges are 24”, midrange is 36”, and center deep section is 48”. I also bring in my koi (some are over thirty years old and 8 pounds) to the basement pond in the winter.

Your 5x6x3 size pond is between 620 and 675 gallons (depending on the size of your shallow ledges) which sounds like a lot, but is a tad small for all you’re wanting to do. Boy, do I know abt this…..I’ve enlarged my main pond several times through the years and that is a real pain. The idea is to make it bigger than you’ll think you need bc I can guarantee you’ll enlarge it down the road.

Lastly, and I hate to say this, but don’t go the liner route through Lowe’s. Order it from a pond specialty place like the PondGuy. You want real strong thick rubber liner that is made specifically for ponds. It is more expensive, but worth it in the long run. My liner has held up for many years as the last thing you want is a leak.
Oh……..imo, koi are the way to go, but natives would also work. The koi are meant to be viewed from above (as you’d see from your pond edge) as the natives (even a pretty pumpkinseed) will appear as dull green/tan fish from above….trust me. In my biology classroom years ago, I kept natives in 55 gallon tanks and because they were viewed from the side through glass, they were awesome.
What matters is what YOU like. Good luck and keep us up to date.

 

Your 5x6x3 size pond is between 620 and 675 gallons

i rechecked the dimensions and i was way off! its about an 8x8x3 so that changes the size alot right?

I strongly suggest you avoid those shallow plant ledges on the edges. I know why you’re doing it, but these shallow ledges literally become “perches” for Great Blue Herons to stand on to pick off your fish. Ideally, the shallowest part of a koi pond should be no less than 24”. If you want to do the plants, support them from underneath or use a floating support.

thank you for this! what if i get a fake heron to go right by it a decor and also to keep other herons away. has that worked for you?

 

In my experience, birds are not dumb. Especially predators lol

That said, in my experience having shallow areas (as low as a few mm) opens up a lot of habitat for micro fauna like baby fish, tadpoles, insect larvae etc… But, you need to be smart / tactical in their implementation due to predators. Pigeon spikes (or a natural equivalent like spiky plants) in the shallows / around the pond to prevent access.

Just an example. A flower pot provides shallow water for the fry, plus a larger space for adults to have cover.

 

Yes…..that’s more like 1400g. I did try the plastic heron thing to no avail. Motion sensors w flood lights or, better yet, automatic water sprayer works really well. Heck, I even forget it’s on when I mow the lawn, drive by the pond, and get wet. In the heat of summer, I don’t mind though.

 

Any updates about those fish...? What choice you've made...?

 

My plan is to start with 3 young koi and maybe 5 goldies. I realized because of who ever said that natives are supposed to be viewed from the side for beauty and koi from the top. So I’m going with koi

 

Nice!! Find an online pond store. Prices and quality will be better. Next do your parents know how close it is to the patio? I see people swimming (unintentionally) . What are the 2 white things showing in the dirt? Ponds attract predators! The motion sensor water thing does work. For filtration think of a waterfall lots of bacteria grows on it. Next a uv steralizer will be needed and a big one! Remember you’re killing algae in a 1400g. If not the sun will turn it green. Never did a pond but many of my neighbors do. For some reason pond people think a 9w uv is more than enough and can’t figure why their ponds are green. None understand the uv bulb only last 8-12 months. I hear regularly right after I say uv: no it’s got a uv . Bought it when I got the pond. First year pong was crystal clear. Been getting worse every year. Do you change the bulb: what bulb? Never fails.

 

delay is in the air because our friend who had rocks for us wanted to keep them so I don't have all of them. I will probably buy some bulk of river rock now.

Nice!! Find an online pond store. Prices and quality will be better. Next do your parents know how close it is to the patio? I see people swimming (unintentionally) . What are the 2 white things showing in the dirt? Ponds attract predators! The motion sensor water thing does work. For filtration think of a waterfall lots of bacteria grows on it. Next a uv steralizer will be needed and a big one! Remember you’re killing algae in a 1400g. If not the sun will turn it green. Never did a pond but many of my neighbors do. For some reason pond people think a 9w uv is more than enough and can’t figure why their ponds are green. None understand the uv bulb only last 8-12 months. I hear regularly right after I say uv: no it’s got a uv . Bought it when I got the pond. First year pong was crystal clear. Been getting worse every year. Do you change the bulb: what bulb? Never fails.

The white things are sprinkler lines… we ran into them but it’s fine. How big is it now… it’s 8x8x3 at the deepest.

 

Progress is on the air!!!! My parents bought 1.5 tones of rocks for the pond while I was on a missions trip and they were delivered today. Work is starting being put in now too! How’s it looking!

 

I think you forgot to attach the pics…


In my head it looks great though lol

 

Whoops… I realized that after I posted and figured I’d wait till I was done for the day after… here

 

OOOOoooo a hole with rocks. Looks great!

Just joking!! Watching along. Can't wait to how it progresses.

I like the reasoning for the koi, How smart that is.

 

I read in more depth about koi and I realized that my pond would only be able to have 1 so I decided against it and I’m gonna do some bluegill and grow up a sturgeon maybe… and a tone of minnows

 

Pics are up!!!!

 

Progress on the waterfall.. general layout of water fall…

 

Filled up! It’s about 2100 according to the gallinage counter… seems a little high imo. But I dosed the conditioner and clarifier cuz I’m inpatient for that gallonage… will do native if I haven’t already said that only cuz their easier and I want to grow out a sterlet sturgeon next season.
Pics sorry!

 

Very Nice!
looking froward for more!

 

Your Gal measurement device seems to have a decimal showing meaning 209.7g. Imho, that pond (while nice) does not appear to be near 2000g. I’m not sure though.

 

Well … o just noticed that too.

 

Well… I got some tadpoles for the pond and they’re doing good!

 

Update!!!!! We are getting power to the pond! The cord for the pump didn’t reach the closest outlet so we are adding another one! The cord will be buried and then we can completely test the waterfall and finish with decor! I will post some pics once it’s done!

 

Here’s some photos…is purple roots on my floaters normal? The water fall works too!

 

Here’s a few photos

 

Progress! The lily bloomed and the tadpoles are doing good! My brother and his friend got a few minnows today so there are some fish and by some phenomena there was a tiny minnow before! There is a slight leak in the back of the spillway… what should I do to fix it?

 

Second pond where the water is clearly begging to go? lol

 

Ha haha haha…

 

Idk about the leak......, but things are looking great!

 

You can cut the hose at the leak and reapply to inlet. Or use a different hose. I used that kind of hose and it got very stiff and cracked easily. I don’t use it anymore. The solid/stiff, but bendable rubber pond hosing is better…..sold at many pond specialty merchants.

 

Pond looks great! No clue about leak. Got to say I’ve never seen a pond so clear!

 

You can cut the hose at the leak and reapply to inlet. Or use a different hose. I used that kind of hose and it got very stiff and cracked easily. I don’t use it anymore. The solid/stiff, but bendable rubber pond hosing is better…..sold at many pond specialty merchants.

sounds good... I will probably cut and re put it on.

Pond looks great! No clue about leak. Got to say I’ve never seen a pond so clear!

I was thinking the same thing!

 

Here’s a few photos… did rocks on the mound etc… here’s some progressive photos

 

Looking good! What's that rectangular section between the pond and the concrete going to be?

 

Here’s a few photos… did rocks on the mound etc… here’s some progressive photos

Looks nice with the hydrangea pyramidalis in the front unfortunately gets too hot and dry at my place to grow them and the flowers burn in the summer heat.

 

Looking good! What's that rectangular section between the pond and the concrete going to be?

That is for a little path to get closer. We gotta get mulch tho.

Looks nice with the hydrangea pyramidalis in the front unfortunately gets too hot and dry at my place to grow them and the flowers burn in the summer heat.

thanks! I love the hydrangeas

 

That is for a little path to get closer. We gotta get mulch tho.

Cool! Looking forward to seeing the end results, and especially what you put in it!

 

Got the leak fixed then?

 

Love it! Been watching the progress, you've done great.!

I'd love to have a pond but first I need someone to build it and maintain it so I can just sit and enjoy it.