How to start a goldfish/koi pond?

Question

Here are my questions:

1.) How big should it be? (Nothing over 110 gallons please. I'd like to keep it small.)

2.) Should I get goldfish or koi?

3.) How many goldfish or koi should I put in?

4.) What should I do with the fish in the winter? It gets freezing cold up here in Northern Illinois... should I get a large heater, or put them inside?

5.) What should I feed them?

6. Any more info?

7.) Any websites?

Thanx

Answer 1

You can buy plastic pond containers in different shapes and sizes, try your local hardware store or garden center. That way you know exactly how big it is going to turn out and you don't have to worry if the liner will tear. They also usually have ledges so you can add potted water plants.
Definately get goldfish, especially for your first pond. Koi are pretty but they present a lot of problems. They get really really big and are probably too large for the size of pond you are wanting. Also, they will eat your plants, and raccoons will eat them. I'm not sure why, but raccoons always pick out our Koi and leave our goldfish alone. In my opinion, goldfish get just as pretty, and still easily reach 6" without eating our plants or getting eaten by raccoons.
You can leave your fish in your pond over the winter as long as the pond doesn't completely freeze. When the surface freezes over, go out and smash a hole in it so that there is still fresh air reaching the water's surface for the fish. In the really cold parts of the winter, you can use a high wattage aquarium heater to keep the water from completely freezing. We just use one leftover from an old aquarium. Its probably only rated for 50 gallons for a tropical aquarium, but all it has to do in our pond is keep the water temperature above freezing. Oh, and we live in northern Missouri, which isn't northern Illinois, but its not like its florida or something. As for feeding, you can buy big bags of goldfish pellets at the petstore or garden store, or probably even the hardware store that you got your pond supplies at. And a big bag will last you forever, because for the most part the goldfish will eat the bugs and algae and stuff in the pond. We go weeks without feeding them in the summer and fall and they are perfectly happy. Here's one web site to help you http://www.watergarden.com/pages/build_wg.html, and www.diynetwork.com has information on pond building also. But, your garden center or hardware store will probably be your best source because they can give you better information that is more specific to your particular area and preferences.

Answer 2

Pick the spot you want the pond to be in, use bright orange spray paint and draw out the design shape you want it to be, using curvey shapes is always good. Dig the hole out, around the sides first and gradually getting deeper as you get to the center. Remember, you dont want to go too deep, but deep enough, maybe about 3 feet, to allow for the water to not freeze. Now you need to get black pond liner and lay it out over the hole paying particular attention to the curves and the depth of the pond. Be sure you lay it loosely to prevent stretching or ripping. Now, you put a layer of pond rocks at the bottom of it and maybe even a water heater if you think it will get cold enough to freeze the pond. Also, now would be the time to add the filtration system to keep the water fresh and any lighting you may wat to put in. You want to put larger rocks around the perimeter of the pond to hold the lining in place. Add a couple larger rocks to the center of the pond to create shadowing for the goldfish durring hot summer days. Fill the pond up with water and add a few water palnts. Wait about a week or 2 before adding your goldfish, you want the water to settle and become the right temp. Goldfish food can be bought at any pet store or local discount store.

Answer 3

put it as big as you want but try this this will help on your other questions and more by the way as far as the fish gi what you like and want personally I would go with the koi