| Sempai-
Like many things you will end up finding a difference of approach amoung different folks. You will need to pick your path by assembling parts of the techniques of others.
Mud pond for summer growth...
clay lined, provides water retention as well as a rooting medium and benthic interactivity.
good water source, cheap would be nice.
overflow and level controls, as well as somewhere for the excess water to go.
fencing, netting, wiring or a combination, Invest here.
aeration. more is better.
Koi fry will start spring in 1 ft deep water and depth will be increased gradually to about 4 ft.
If you are just keeping or growing fish, then 4 ft unless they are big guys. All big guys? build a trout pond.
The techniques of Thai goldfish producers involve koi pond type conditions- mud, depth, aeration and current, unlike the traditional goldfish grow ponds of China and Japan, concrete, shallow, still, and green. You know that.
Because of our "brisk" climate, perhaps you would want to consider a greenhouse over your mud pond. My ponds are covered and not heated and so my fish think they live in the Kentucky part of Ohio, like one climate zone warmer.
Mickey the windowman |