Thread: Advice needed on a pond

Hi there, totally new to this forum and totally new to keeping fish!

My mother in law has had a pond built. Its 20ft by 20ft and is around 3ft deep.

She has asked if i could help her with getting some koi for the pond.

Would anybody be able to give me some advice on what is needed and what i can and cant do? What works and what doesnt? And what is right and what is wrong?

She has a filter system that i have half set up for her (due to missing bits) i followed a tutorial on youtube.
The filter is a patented filter and ill attach a pic below.

Just wondering if i would need a pump and what pump?

Also what plants are best for low maintenance?

Any advice would be much appreciated as im enjoying this project so far.

Thank you very much.

Not sure how to attach the pic? Sorry

Hi James,

My advise, through years of experience keeping fish, is not to start off keeping koi but to start with other more hardy species such as goldfish, shubunkins ect. At 3' deep the pond is not deep enough for koi, 4' is the minimum.

I don't quite know how you have filter system without a pump, perhaps you can post more details of the system.

Originally Posted by Brian C

Hi James,

My advise, through years of experience keeping fish, is not to start off keeping koi but to start with other more hardy species such as goldfish, shubunkins ect. At 3' deep the pond is not deep enough for koi, 4' is the minimum.

I don't quite know how you have filter system without a pump, perhaps you can post more details of the system.

Hi brian, thanks very much for your reply.

Thats a shame as she was really hoping for koi as they grow to a big fish!

The filter is just in place as nothing is running yet. The pipe is connected from the pond to the inlet but nothing from the outlet as the pipe is too short. Its just a pool of water at the moment if that makes sense? Is there any other options we could look at for koi?

Really appreciate your reply.

Ensure your filter system is fully operational, as it plays a crucial role in maintaining water quality. You'll definitely need a suitable pump to keep water circulating effectively through the filter. When it comes to plants, opt for low-maintenance varieties like water lilies and hornwort—they not only add beauty but also help oxygenate the water and provide natural filtration. Remember, koi can grow large and produce a lot of waste, so ensure your pond size and filtration system can handle their needs. Regular maintenance, such as debris removal and water quality checks, will keep your pond healthy. Enjoy the journey of creating and caring for your koi pond—it's a wonderful project to be involved in!

Thank you so much for your advice.

Can anyone recommend a pump for me?

I have no idea what size etc. it would be much appreciated.

pump size is dependant on size of pond and filtration. you have to have dwell time going through your filtration for the bacteria to do there work and for sediment to settle. as for plants lilles nice idea but the fish will eat them.

keith