How many gallons of water?

[RiverChubbs]

Per fish. I know it is 1 gallon per inch of fish for, like, small tropical tanks...but is it the same for koi? And is it there width and length added together? I am going to start a pond in the summer and I want to do it right the first time. I am having a hard time finding a related topic...so any replies would help. Thank you in advance.

[koiczar]

Some questions need to be answered first before this decision should be made.

First, what are your plans for the koi in your charge? Do you plan to compete in the show arena? Just want to keep some "high quality pond grade" fish? Or simply have some less expensive (cheap)pieces to enjoy? How much space (square feet) do you have available including the immediate area around the planned pond site? Were/are you thinking of having a true koi pond or an ornamental pond (water garden) with plants, etc?

Please answer ALL the above so the members here can try to guide you in the right direction

Mike

[jnorth]

Hi and welcome to Koi-Bito! You have made a great choice by asking questions first and then building. Mike brings up some good questions and your answers will definately help to come up with the best recommendations.

[MikeM]

River: Those questions are excellent ones. The answer to your question will vary radically depending on your goal. Meanwhile, throw away the idea of inches per gallon. It just doesn't work, especially for koi.

[RiverChubbs]

Quote: Originally Posted by koiczar Some questions need to be answered first before this decision should be made. First, what are your plans for the koi in your charge? Do you plan to compete in the show arena? Just want to keep some "high quality pond grade" fish? Or simply have some less expensive (cheap)pieces to enjoy? How much space (square feet) do you have available including the immediate area around the planned pond site? Were/are you thinking of having a true koi pond or an ornamental pond (water garden) with plants, etc? Mike

I am creating a pond simply for my enjoyment and a peaceful place to relax. It is going to have to have a gate around it because I run a daycare. I was thinking about 250-300 gallons, a roughly small pond, with places 4 feet deep to avoid predators, maybe only 2 or 3 water plant type decorations, a small dome water fall (or one that runs off the side) I am going to start out with small fish (baby koi) because I can't afford $1400-$3000, I would rather spend that on a horse or bigger animal. My current backyard is only 1000 square feet. We plan to move to a bigger home with at least half an acre in a few years, should I just wait? I planned on an ornamental pond at this home (and then a big true pond at my larger house. Would a pond take up too much room here in the corner of a yard? Thank you.

[PapaBear]

Since you are looking for a pond with a small footprint (5'x5'x4' for example) you would be looking at roughly 750 gallons of water. Cutting it down to 4'x4'x3' would reduce the volume to 360 gallons. Since your are looking at a "starter pond" you might do well to consider 2 or 3 Koi 6" or less in length. That will give you an easy and inexpensive way to learn well how to care for them. Even though the water volume will handle more Koi than that, bear in mind that they will grow and you'll need to take that into account.
As to the falls, no matter what kind you go with, you must have some type of effective biological filtration to manage the water quality. There are so many different types to choose from I hesitate to recommend one over the other as I've never had a store bought filter or a pond that small. I know folks who use a "Nexus EZPod" on small ponds with great success, but perhaps others will chime in with other suggestions.

[koiczar]

Quote: Originally Posted by RiverChubbs I am creating a pond simply for my enjoyment and a peaceful place to relax. It is going to have to have a gate around it because I run a daycare. I was thinking about 250-300 gallons, a roughly small pond, with places 4 feet deep to avoid predators, maybe only 2 or 3 water plant type decorations, a small dome water fall (or one that runs off the side) I am going to start out with small fish (baby koi) because I can't afford $1400-$3000, I would rather spend that on a horse or bigger animal. My current backyard is only 1000 square feet. We plan to move to a bigger home with at least half an acre in a few years, should I just wait? I planned on an ornamental pond at this home (and then a big true pond at my larger house. Would a pond take up too much room here in the corner of a yard? Thank you.

Okay. After reading the above info, my recommendation would sorta match PapaBear. But with the other intangibles you have (gated area due to daycare situation and size of pond), I think I would wait to have koi until you move to your next house and can build a truly appropriate pond for koi. There are several varieties of goldfish that would do very well in a pond this size that are multi-colored and could be quite a nice attraction for you and the children you supervise.

Mike

[dick benbow]

to me, not saying where you live (warm or cold ) would also have a lot to do with my recommendations. I have seen goldfish frozen in 2 foot depth ponds and then thaw and live the following spring.

Sounds like to me your after a water feature, a quiet place to recharge the batteries after the kids get picked up after their ( and your ) day is done.
You might want to start with goldfish to make sure you have the filtration down, before working up to koi which are more critical. 3-4 hand size shibunkins might be a nice touch.

[bekko]

I agree with DIck, except to say that wakin look better in a small pond than either shubunkin or koi. There are some who think that each adult (3-6 year old) koi needs at least 1000 gallons. Others keep koi in 10-gallon aquaria.

-stev

[koifishgirl]

Quote: Originally Posted by bekko I agree with DIck, except to say that wakin look better in a small pond than either shubunkin or koi. There are some who think that each adult (3-6 year old) koi needs at least 1000 gallons. Others keep koi in 10-gallon aquaria. -stev

Have steve, I admire you knowladge in koi and goldfish and other area's of this hobby.