We have shared a detailed guide about Koi fish in one of our recent articles, and you guys asked us to elaborate more on how to set up the koi pond. Well, it's our all-time duty to not just sale koi fish in NSW and ACT, but also answer all your questions so that our fish can live a healthy life at your place.
We are Zen Aquarium, and for more than 17 years, we have been delivering premium fish across NSW and ACT. Not just koi fish, but we also provide a range of premium fish species, including gold fish, Guppies, Platies, Corydoras, Bettas, and more. Well, without any further delay, we will directly start with our topic and all the steps for setting up a koi fish pond in detail.
Step 1: Thoughtfully Decide The Location for Your Koi Fish Pond
You have to be very thoughtful about choosing the location of your koi fish pond in NSW and the ACT. This is because koi fish need at least six hours of sunlight, but not more than that, because it will cause algae growth.
Also, never put your pond in low areas where rainwater will bring dirt and pollution into your pond water.
Well, as we say every time, the pond location should be away from big trees that will drop leaves into your pond, because with all that debris, your butterfly koi fish can get sick.
Step 2: Plan Your Pond Size and Depth
After the location, you have to plan the size and depth of the pond for maintaining the health of your ney butterfly koi fish. Basically, the depth of the pond should be three to four feet because deeper ponds keep the water temperature stable in the changing weather throughout the year.
Also, talking about the size of the pool, you should maintain 10 gallons of water for one inch of koi fish to survive. Basically, in a 1000-gallon capacity pond, you can keep four full-size koi fish.
Step 3: Start Digging Your Pond
Use marking paint to outline your pond shape on the ground. Include spots where you will put your skimmer, filter system, and waterfall. Dig your pond in different levels, like stairs going down, with the deepest part being at least three to four feet.
You can use a small excavator for the heavy digging work, then use hand tools to make it perfect. Then also make pipes, each hole should be one foot longer in every direction to fit your pond walls properly.
Other than this, make sure the soil at the bottom is packed very hard because you will have gallons of water sitting on it. This step is very important for keeping your pond strong.
Step 4: Then Install the Bottom Drain and Pipes
While installing a bottom drain is not compulsory, it will make the pond cleaning really convenient for you. For this, you have to put the bottom drain exactly in the centre of your butterfly koi fish pond’s deepest spot, that too before the liner.
Also, install the pond skimmer pipe through the holes you cut in your pond walls in the last step. Then just make sure that all pipes are connected and secured in the correct way.
Step 5: Add An Underlayment
Just thoroughly check that there are no sharp rocks, sticks, or debris from your dug-out area.
After that, install a geotextile underlayment to protect your liner from getting holes. Cut the underlayment into pieces that fit the bottom and each side wall. This prevents wrinkles that can cause problems.
Just like this, this protective layer is very important for keeping your butterfly koi fish safe and your pond water where it should be.
Step 6: Install Your Pond Liner
Use a 45-mil EPDM rubber liner because it's safe for fish and lasts over 20 years. This liner is very flexible and can stretch over 300% to fit your pond shape perfectly.
Extend your liner about one foot beyond your pond edge and hold it down with big rocks. Walk very carefully on the liner so you don't tear it with your shoes.
Well, as we have said before, make sure your liner extends far enough to connect properly with your equipment. You don't want any water leaking out of your pond.
Step 7: Set Up Your Filtration System
Yes, your koi fish in NSW need proper filtration to stay healthy. So this is why you should consider both biological and mechanical filtration.
Now, for mechanical filtration, you can use either pond skimmers or drum filters with 200-300 micron screens for this job.
For biological filtration, you can add bio balls or lava rock, where the good bacteria live and work.
Apart from this, add a UV clarifier to control algae and kill harmful germs. Your water pump should move your entire pond volume at least once every hour, but 2-3 times is even better.
Step 8: Just Fill and Prepare Your Water
After the filtration, you can also add some decorative things like concrete blocks or pebbles inside your pond or at the edges. Once everything is done, just fill and prepare your butterfly koi fish pond water. A very important thing in this step is to mandatorily add a dechlorinator in case you are using tap water. This is because chlorine can easily kill your fish.
Let your pond run for several weeks before adding any fish. This gives good bacteria time to grow and make your water safe for butterfly koi fish.
Test your water to make sure everything is perfect:
- pH should be 7.2-7.8
- Temperature between 18-24°C
- Ammonia must be zero ppm
- Nitrites must be zero ppm
- Nitrates should be less than 20 ppm
Well, as we have said before, never rush this step because your fish's life depends on getting the water conditions right.
Step 9: Add Plants for Natural Beauty
So, as 80% of your koi wish pond setup is done, it becomes your duty to create an ocean-like ambience for your new butterfly koi fish. For this, nothing can be better than plants. You can add some plants like water lilies, lettuce, hornwort, water iris and more.
These plants will not only make your pond look like a mini ocean but will also provide their own benefits. For example, water lettuce absorbs nutrients that algae would otherwise use to grow. Submerged plants like hornwort add oxygen to your water during the day.
Step 10: Test Everything Before Adding Fish
Run all your equipment for at least 2-3 weeks before putting any fish in your pond. Check that your pump, filter, and UV clarifier are all working properly. Other than this, also check the nitrate, ammonia, and pH level. Also, the temperature fluctuation of the water.
You can also read our Ultimate beginner’s guide for koi fish care, to be more sure that you are ready for bringing a new butterfly koi fish to your pond.
When you are really sure that everything is working in a way it should, just call us and we at Zen Aquarium are here to deliver you the best and premium koi fish across NSW and ACT.
Zen Aquarium Is Your Trusted Partner for Koi Fish in NSW and ACT
All these steps we shared above will surely help you create a beautiful home where your butterfly koi fish can live happy, healthy lives for many years.
We are Zen Aquarium , and we have been helping families in NSW and ACT enjoy premium fish for over 17 years. Apart from koi fish, we also stock goldfish, guppies, platies, corydoras, bettas, and Australian native tandanus catfish.
Our physical store opens only on SUNDAY at Paddy's Market, Flemington, from 7 am to 3:30 pm. You can find us at Building D, 250-318 Parramatta Road, Enter Via Potts St or Austin Avenue, Homebush West, NSW, 2140.
Well, as we have said before, we also deliver our special fish online across NSW and the ACT. You can call us at 0478 757 332 or email us at info@zenaquariumau.com with any questions about setting up your pond or choosing the right fish.
Remember, a properly built pond with healthy butterfly koi fish from Zen Aquarium will give you years of relaxation and enjoyment in your own backyard zen aquarium oasis.