Upgrading to Koi pond - Advice?

[MitchM]

Just throwing out some thoughts for your consideration.
A pond deep enough will not freeze completely.

 

[Pants]

yeah, thanks.

I have been running my current pond for maybe 10 years.

I will have to talk to someone about depth etc.
Maybe have to go really deep. I am a certified scuba diver.

 

[MitchM]

You shouldn't have to go all that deep.
My pond is 5 feet deep and I sometimes have 2 feet of ice.
I'm going to be having a submersible pump this year that will slowly circulate the water and that should help minimize my ice cover. Right now my pond has ice for more than 6 months of the year.
You want to take advantage of the heat in the earth as much as possible.

 

[Tula]

@MitchM , I think Collen circulates her water year round. I'm interested in this also.

 

[RobAmy]

Sounds like a great project. I hope you keep us posted along the way. I love having the wild ducks, no young yet. We have had as many as 9 ducks at once.

 

[CometKeith]

Hi Pants, Welcome back. Some things to consider if you go really deep then your pond water will remain cold in the summer. This will discourage spawning. Some people with koi ponds do this on purpose so their fish don't get scratched up. Another thing to consider is that a heater in the winter may actually encourage bacteria and disease. I know of someone with a very large heated pond that had more than half of their fish got sick in the winter. One suggestion is if you have pond tours in your area that is a great way to see a lot of ponds and talk to people about what works and what doesn't. Good luck with your pond!