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Hi Jason,
Welcome to the board and the hobby. to get the volumn of water multiply the length times the width times the depth times 7.5. Here's a tip, borrow from a trusted dealer a water meter to use when you fill the pond and filters that way you will have an exact gallonage. You will thank me for that when it comes to
any medication or other dosage you may have to extract to exacting standards!
have found this rule as a helpful planning for ponds double the depth to get the width and double the width to determine the length.
I don't know where you live but unless it's very temperate (warm) you may wish to go 6 feet deep. keep in mind that changes in temperatures suddenly
is your koi enemy. more than 4 degrees in a day and you need a heater for insurance.
I concur with Andy about sequence pumps. I have had nothing but good luck
for operating costs and efficiency.Not the strongest with a large head to push. I know others who have done well with wave.
Air is vital to filtration. to get around an air pump you can create your own trickle tower or bakki shower type where you use one pump to lift your water and the method of filtration supplies the air. I have both blue japanese filter mat ( 3 vortexes) and bakki tower (3 trays) with three air pumps making the vortexes look like jaccuzzi's. If your handy you can build your own. If not you can use prepared units with all the bells and whistles built in.
don't scrimp on the filter.
Finally don't over crowd your koi. start with 4-6 for your size pond. Buy the stronger types next to the natural magoi. Like asagi, yamabuki, chagoi. They
are hardy and good to learn on. once you've got it down, you can go with the kohaku,sanke and more expensive types. later on you will probably want more show types but a good one of the survivors will compliment nicely.
please stay away from buying a single koi from 6 dealers and mixing everything. Buy all 4 from one to start. later after you've gained some experience you'll want to have a good quaranteen facility to insure a healthy new introduction.
other random thoughts include most rookie mistakes include over feeding.
waiting too long to seek help when koi or water don't seem quite right. Start keeping your eyes open for a good microscope. to be able to identify a problem is more than half the battle. it always helps to have a trusted koi kichi or dealer to depend on for help while you learn. make sure your pump (electrical) is connected to a GFI ( other names in other countries but it keeps you from electricuting you self or your koi) |