If you are new to building a Koi pond, then you are going to have to be aware of two things:

1. expensive mistakes and
2. potential pitfalls.

Below is a brief 10 step guide that covers building a pond from scratch, starting with the concrete.

Step 1 – You might want to get hold of a professional pond builder.

This is the first person you should consult, because building a pond for Koi is not easy. You will quickly find this out if you go ahead without professional help.

You will save a considerable amount of money and significant time if you do this properly and get it right first time round.

Ask their advice after showing them where you are considering the location.

Step 2 – Do your homework! Read Koi pond books and articles out there that will give you all the information you are looking for.

Browse the shelves at the local library or surf the net and see what you can find.

Don’t go to a gunfight with no bullets. So, read and do your research on Koi ponds. Get it right where others went wrong and do it properly.

There are great websites that will gladly help you to plan your Koi pond.

Don’t assume it is easy, because it is not.

Step 3 – Plan!

Once you have done research and spoken to a professional, plan out the aspects of the Koi pond.

Ponds for Koi are there to stay for a long time. Koi fish can survive for 30 years.

Once your Koi pond is in the ground and filled with fish, trying to fix a problem can be a nightmare. So you want to get it right the first time around.

Step 4 – Location!

This is crucial.

You want your Koi pond where you can watch it.

You also want to compromise: shade versus sun.

Consider any building restrictions carefully.

After all the work is done, you want your Koi pond somewhere it can be admired by you and others.

Step 5 – Size!

To put it simple enough … Big is best … Build your Koi pond as big as you can.

Making an existing pond bigger is almost as much work as creating a new pond, so get the size right the first time.

Step 6 – Depth!

As far as depth goes, 6-feet is perfect. If you can’t, 3-feet minimum will do.

Step 7 – Bottom drains!

This counts for a majority of the circulation in the Koi pond; one Koi fish for 15000 liters then 10000 to 15000 liters for every additional Koi fish to the pond.

Step 8 – Settlement Chambers!

These might not look pretty, but they can be useful. The great thing is that you can hide them very easily.

Step 9 – Filtration!

Filtering the Koi pond can be done in many ways.

You will need to use a mechanical filter in order to remove all debris, and then you will need a biological filter to grow good bacteria to break up the bad bacteria in the pond.

Finally you will need to keep the surface of the pond clean using a surface skimmer.

Step 10 – Commissioning!

Filling the pond takes time. The pipe work and bottom drains should be secured and checked.

You don’t want to discover that your drain pipes are shattered by the concrete being poured over it!