| Do you dream of owning your own Koi pond? | | | | other assorted biological wastes. It is important to |
| Are you ready to get started? Koi pond | | | | have enough filtration to sustain the size of the |
| construction and upkeep is no easy task but this | | | | pond, and this will vary depending on the physical |
| guide will help you. Koi, like any other pets, require | | | | dimensions of your pond and amount of Koi and |
| time and money to maintain. The majority of first | | | | other plants and animals living in it. Without |
| time Koi owners become frustrated because they | | | | biological filtration, built up waste will turn into |
| have the illusion that keeping Koi is easy and | | | | ammonia and kill your Koi and everything else. |
| completely worry free. Upkeep is not | | | | Now it's time to consider the water quality. Some |
| overwhelming though because educating yourself | | | | people will tell you that having healthy Koi is just |
| in the beginning will lessen your workload in the | | | | because you keep the water quality high. While |
| future. If you plan right it's not that hard. | | | | there is more to the equation than just water |
| It is important for you to learn the basics BEFORE | | | | quality you should keep a close eye on the |
| you begin buying the tools you need for your Koi | | | | chemical levels of the habitat. To keep your Koi |
| project. Don't learnthe hard way and lose time, | | | | alive you must understand how to maintain your |
| money, or your precious Koi friends. People like | | | | water quality balance and proper PH levels. |
| product vendors or other suppliers will be | | | | How to Buy Your Koi Fish |
| knowledgeable, but should not be automatically | | | | An exciting thing about these Koi is the sheer |
| trusted as an unbiased resource. Remember they | | | | variety of colors, types and markings they have |
| are selling products first, guidance second. Plus, | | | | which basically make up the 20 most popular |
| once you get your Koi, they may not be readily | | | | versions. Your pond will come alive with color |
| available to help you in the event of a problem or | | | | depending on the variety of fish inside of it. |
| oversight. So you need to perform your own | | | | First things first. Check to make sure your pond is |
| research above all, but here is the good news. | | | | complete and functional before you start buying |
| Due to a sudden spike in popularity, an unlimited | | | | Koi. Test it with a small number of start fish. The |
| supply of resources and educational materials can | | | | number and the size of Koi you purchase at first |
| now be found on the topic of Koi keeping. | | | | should be a fraction of your physical pond's |
| Here's what you do. Visit your local library, pet | | | | capacity. You can start small and scale big. This |
| store and research online on blogs and fan sites. | | | | will hedge your risk if you make some mistakes. |
| Start with these basic ideas and facts in mind. | | | | Here's another tip. Many fish owners understand |
| Koi have a habit of growing rather fast, so you | | | | that normally fish will only grow to the size of |
| have to consider pond size at the same time you | | | | their enclosure. Koi will continue to grow to the full |
| are considering how many Koi you are going to | | | | size regardless of whether the enclosure can |
| put in it. What breeds? How many? What space | | | | support them or not. Be careful to not to |
| do I have to work with? | | | | overstuff your pond or your Koi will get too big |
| Your filtration system is extremely important. | | | | and die. |
| There are 2 basic types of filtration, mechanical | | | | This should help everyone who is interested in |
| and biological. | | | | creating a home and owning some these |
| Mechanical filtration cleans your pond of solid | | | | wonderful creatures. Good luck with your first Koi |
| wastes like plant matter, bugs and insects, and | | | | pond construction adventure. |