4 Things You Should Do When Caring for an Above-Ground Koi Pond

A July report broadcast on the Fox Business Channel featured the completion of a very large and elaborate koi pond at the Atlanta mansion of basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal. We’re talking about a pond complete with six waterfalls, a beach entry section, and more than 100 tons of rock. While Shaq’s pond took two years to complete, not everyone is digging out their backyards for their pond projects. Above-ground koi ponds are also sensible solutions for homeowners who wish to keep digging to a minimum or skip it altogether. In terms of caring for a koi pond, the differences between in-ground and above-ground are subtle.

1. Choose a Location for the Pond

If you live in a sunny region, the best spot for an above-ground pond should get at least a few hours of shade each day. The source of shade can be a tree, but keep in mind you’ll have to take care of fallen leaves or else they may decompose at the bottom, thus creating muck. The pond container can be an old bathtub, an above-ground swimming pool, a rigid pond liner, or better yet—a pond liner with a solid wood or concrete block for support that will sit on the ground instead of being dug in. To make the setting look more natural, you can arrange soil, rocks, and potted plants around the edges. Needless to say, you shouldn’t place the water surface too high because this could make both appreciation and maintenance uncomfortable.

2. Set Up an Inspection and Maintenance Schedule

Whenever possible, you should try to get various household members involved with keeping an eye on the pond and performing maintenance tasks, ideally on a daily basis. A species count is essential. Should a koi turn up missing, you’ll want to look around in case it has jumped out of the pond. Skimming the surface should be done as frequently as possible because some leaves may turn toxic as they decompose. Dirt and other debris will invariably form sludge on the bottom even if it’s covered with substrate. When it comes to cleaning detritus, pond vacuums and skimmers can come in very handy. Seasoned pond keepers will tell you that frequent skimming and vacuuming go a long way toward keeping ammonia levels low.

3. Keep Algae Growth Under Control

Algae bloom will take place in all garden ponds. You may see some algae forming on the sides of the liner or at the bottom, but microscopic algae species will simply turn the water green and make species sick. Algaecide solutions for ponds tend to be very effective, particularly organic formulas that contain bacteria, but what you really want is an efficient ecosystem with strong water circulation, large biological filters, and a diversity of species such as aquatic plants, snails, and crayfish that feed on algae.

4. Check Lines and Tubes

Limescale and algae can damage the tubing and lines of the pond aeration system. Make sure to wipe them down with bleach or algaecide from time to time. The filter housing elements should also be checked once or twice a month for debris that may be clogging the system and preventing bacteria from growing healthy colonies.

Whether you have an above-ground or in-ground pond, you’ll need several koi pond supplies to care for it properly. Everything you need can be found at Aquatic Warehouse. Stop by our store in Kearny Mesa, check out the many amazing products on our website, and don’t hesitate to call us at 858-467-9297 if you have any questions.