I would like to install a medium sized Koi pond in my backyard. I live in South Carolina so I will not need a heater for the Winter and I am not worried about the cost of the Koi. I am interested in the cost of electricity to run the filters, pumps and so forth. I have seen that I can buy an entire pond kit and was wondering about the level of difficulty to install it myself.
I very much look forward to any help or advice that anyone may have. Thanks in advance!!
2007-04-11 01:38:39 · 8 answers · asked by solsticemagic 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
Kits are the easiest way to have an instant pond. Your filter costs no more than running a light bulb 24 hours per day. Usually your filter will come with a splitter. One for a fountain and one for a waterfall if wanted.
Heaters are not needed on any outdoor pond for Koi and gold fish. Depending on the size of your pond, Beckley makes a number of great filters. You only need one filter/pump they usually come as one unit a pump and filter.
Nothing else is needed.
If you can use a shovel, move some sand and have a hose, you can install your own pond.
The kits are pretty much standard and will explain placement, various decorations using stone block or other natural items.
head to the home improvement center and ask to see instructions for installation. It is quite easy and can be completed (without fish of course) in less than a day.
2007-04-11 01:46:57 · answer #1 · answered by danielle Z 7 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Not as much as you would think. Powerheads are not used in Koi ponds and no you do not need 100 gallons per fish.
A good filter based on the size you intend to install costs very little electric to run. Any water falls or fountains are run from one filter box. A 700 gallon pond can be run with a Berkley 700, or an aquatech 1400. This will also allow you to run a waterfall and a fountain. Lighting would be an option you would have to decide on.
As far as kits, they are the easiest to install. The first one I purchased took me around 5 hours from start to finish to install.
2007-04-12 01:59:16 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
We have a medium/large pond in our side yard, and after watching the electric bill for almost a year the cost of running it has worked out to about $2.50 a month.
If you can dig a hole, and stack rock's without parental supervision you will be able to do it yourself. But Beware it is a lot of work, and you have to be VERY careful with the liner before and while you are installing it.(make sure that you line the bottom of the hole with sand, and that there are no tree roots, or sharp rocks on the sides. Also make sure that there are no large folds in the liner after it is installed) I had to buy a new one the first day because I didn't pay attention, and redoing everything is a pain.
Good Luck
E.
2007-04-11 02:55:19 · answer #3 · answered by > 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
They are pretty easy to install and utilities not to bad either. If you are going to make it an in ground pond you will need to dig down 18 to 24 inches because you will need to put sand under the liner. Utility costs will vary with the pumps and size of the pond. Figure .10 cents per square foot per month. 10 foot x 10 foot =100 sq foot or $10.00/month.
Good Luck!
2007-04-17 14:44:07 · answer #4 · answered by pilot 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It actually depends upon the type of filters to be used. I have seen a fish pond that has huge powerhead filters and they do not cost very much.Some pumps are pretty expensive,so I would suggest that you choose a simple yet cheap pump to put in your pond.Since I live in thePhilippines(which is a tropical country),I do not have problems with adjusting the temperature.Kois are very hardy(living about a hundred years or so when taken care clearly).
Good luck in your hobby!!!
2007-04-11 02:33:10 · answer #5 · answered by richardandrewparedes 2 · 2⤊ 2⤋
You have a condition called "pea soup algae " the algae grows in the water not on the sides so algae eaters just won't work. Algaecides work but are only temporary (they kill the algae now but it will grow back) and all that dead algae at once some times causes worse water quality problems. The answer is to have a ultraviolet sterilzer installed inline to your filter. this will kill the algae in the water on a continuous basis and keep your pond crystal clear. goodluck
2016-04-01 08:48:14 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
In addition to what everyone else has said, koi need a large volume of water to be kept successfully. Conservative estimates I've read allow 100 gallons per fish (adults can reach 30"+). If you don't want to go that large, shubunkin goldfish can be just as pretty and only get to around 18".
2007-04-11 09:32:47 · answer #7 · answered by copperhead 7 · 1⤊ 3⤋
A neighbor has one. He has to have a net over it though because these big birds, like herons, land and eat the fish.
2007-04-11 01:43:56 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋