trying to decide between water garden feature and koi pond. (landscaping, grow) - Trees, Grass, Lawn, Flowers, Irrigation, Landscaping... - City-Data Forum

no kudzu · 09-17-2009, 09:23 AM

In our previous house in the Atlanta suburbs, we had two large koi ponds connected by a stream bed. They were installed in 1989 and I know technology has changed alot since then. Now we are in a new and hopefully last house and I miss my koi. In all that time they never died and we never lost any to predators, mainly because we built the ponds 4 ft deep. The herons and racoons came but they couldnot get to our fish.

Dh does not want another koi pond mainly because of all the work involved in maintaining previous ones and I understand that. But I really want a water garden feature and the whole family enjoyed the koi. they are fun to watch and care for.
I've had several folks come give us quotes. For a small (10x12) pond with no landscaping(I want to do that myself) and with lots of Nexus equipment with bottom drain, etc the cost is almost $13,000 but I would be able to do all the maintenance myself. A water feature with waterfall only 18 to 24" deep would cost upwards of $6k but fish would not be protected. In either case we would want a tall and attractive fence mostly to give me a garden place where I don't have to worry about deer.

So I'm trying to decide what to do. It's not just a matter of cost but that does come into play. The sound of water is so relaxing and I could get that with a pretty pond-like look and some fish but not any koi. No bottom drain and I suppose it would be easier to maintain with out many fish. I know we can't have koi and plants together in the same pond as koi destroy potted plants. That is why we built two ponds in the previous house.

It is a very nice and costly house so we would not be putting more into the house than it could support when it comes to resale but I can't even let myself think about resale for a house we've only been in 6 months.
Does anybody out there have any thoughts about this. I don't want any friction between my DH and me over this project and since it is possibel to have a koi pond I could maintain myself I am tempted. But I am thinking I could also be happy with a really nice water feature to grow aquatic plants in. If you have a nice garden have you considered a water feature or koi pond and what (besides cost) has kept you from doing it.
I really would appreciate your thoughts.

andthentherewere3 · 09-17-2009, 01:57 PM

How about goldfish instead of koi? Goldfish nowadays come in really pretty colors and varieties, and they don't grow as big as koi. I have some really pretty goldfish. They are kind to your plants, too. There are steps you can take to help protect goldfish, such as turning a pot on it's side under water, or laying some PVC pipe on the bottom of the pond.

no kudzu · 09-17-2009, 02:52 PM

but do goldfish ponds need bottom drain to help wityh cleanliness? What about maintenance for goldfish and do they overwinter? Our koi were at leadt 2 feet long and 17 years old and ate out of our hands. they were really pets.do goldfish get that tame?

andthentherewere3 · 09-18-2009, 06:58 AM

I haven't tried to feed mine out of my hands, but they do rush up to greet me when I feed them. And I don't have a bottom drain, I just have an underwater pump/filter, with a fountain head. I don't keep a fancy spray on it, I just keep it barely below the surface so it gurgles up, but there are all sorts of different options you can look into. I change the filter every month or so, and do about a third partial water change in the spring. My pond is about 700 gallons, and is 29" deep at it's deepest. They overwinter with no problem, and I do keep a floating de-icer on the surface to allow dangerous gases to escape. Since you are in NC, I think 24" deep would be fine, since you don't get the cold winters like we do in Ct.

I will DM you a link where you can learn more about goldfish ponds.

jordansart · 10-18-2009, 05:59 PM

I have goldfish in my pond and they overwinter at the bottom. They don't bother the plants so you get to have lots more variety. Having plants keeps the water filtered and oxygenated too. Shebunkens are my favorite-they are very colorful, get huge and look a lot like koi to me. My goldfish eat out of my hands and if I put my hand in the water they all come over and rub up against my fingers. I have several varieties of goldfish and have only lost 4 fish in the past 4 years-they were all fantails. I guess the fantails are a little less hardy. I have 5 that have been in the pond for more than three years with no problems though. Koi are really messy and destructive and although they are beautiful are just not worth the trade-off to me.