Koi ponds have become a popular hobby in the world, and the reasons are

clear as to why. Koi are beautiful, vibrant fish that can literally light

your day. Koi come in many colors, varieties, and kinds, so it is likely

that everyone in the world can find at least one type of Koi that would

suit their likes. While Koi may be a welcomed beauty to your pond, they

also have an interesting history attached to them.

In Chinese culture, Koi ponds are said to being good luck to their owners.

Koi ponds are used as an overall plan to fulfill their lives. Other parts

of the world consider Koi ponds as a form of relaxation and serenity. In

the united states, more and more people seem to find Koi ponds to be fun

more then anything else. No matter what the reason you find to have a Koi

pond, they are sure to brighten your life.

However, Koi keeping should not be taken lightly. Koi, like any other

animal, require time and money to maintain. The majority of first time Koi

owners fail because they get the idea that keeping Koi is easy in some way.

Do not let this discourage you though, as educating yourself will greatly

improve your chances of succeeding.

It is important for you to learn all you can BEFORE you begin obtaining the

things you need for Koi keeping. This way, you will not slip up and have to

replace anything that you have already done or bought. Planning ahead will

not only save your money, but it will potentially save your sanity as well.

It is important to learn the information for yourself rather then relying

on other sources. People such as your product dealer and pond builder will

have limited knowledge, but should not be trusted for a reliable source, as

they are selling products and may be bias. Plus, once you are at home with

your Koi, your product dealer or pond builder may not be available to help

you in the event of a problem.

Koi Have Personality

You would not believe that Koi actually have personalities similar to other

animals. They are social, and can even be trained to eat directly from

their owners hands. The more time you spend with your Koi, the more you

will notice each Koi has individual characteristics and traits.

Koi have been known to live for up to 200 years at time, but generally the

average lifespan of a healthy Koi is about 30 years. So if you are looking

for along time pet companion, Koi may be a good choice.

Building Your Koi Habitat

Before ever buying Koi, you must create a proper habitat for them. This is

where information from your pond builder and supplier will come in handy.

However, you should not rely on the opinions of just one person. It may be

a god idea to do research on your own, before you go to purchase the

materials needed for you pond. Because of it’s popularity, an unlimited

supply of resources can be found on the topic of Koi keeping. Visit your

local library, fishery center, or research online. There are quite a few

things needed to sustain a habitable pond.

When it comes to pond size, bigger is always better. Koi have a habit of

growing rather fast, so you have to consider pond size at the same time you

are considering how many Koi you are going to put it in.

Your filtration system is extremely important. There are 2 types of

filtration, mechanical and biological. Mechanical filtration relives the

pond of solids such as dead algae, insects, and Koi wastes. It is important

to have enough filtration to sustain the size of the pond, and the amount

and size of your Koi. Biological filtration causes a nitrogen cycle, which

is what removes dissolved wastes from your pond. Without biological

filtration, built up waste will turn into ammonia and kill your Koi within

just a few days.

Besides the technical aspects of your pond, you will also have the ability

to create a visually appealing area as well. Waterfalls, fountains, and

other water features will not only add a visual show to your pond, but it

will also create movement and sound. A variety of plants and flowers are

also available for your pond.