Garden Pond Option: Fish Ponds vs. Water Gardens
Algreen 30 Gallon Preformed Pond Kit
$134.99
A koi pond or fish pond will require slightly more effort to maintain than a garden pond due to the fact that fish require adequate filtration and aeration to survive.
The major differences:
- A koi pond has certain restrictions as to what types of plants you can use; koi eat certain types of plants (such as Water Hyacinths and lily pads), and you don't want to include something that may be poisonous to their system.
- A koi pond should be larger than a water garden because koi can grow quite large. It is recommended that a koi pond be no less than 1000 gallons in volume.
- A pond with fish requires a deep spot that go just past the frost line in your area of the country. The deeper section of the fish pond only needs to be large enough to accommodate whatever fish (and plants) you would like to keep in the pond during the winter. Consult local sources to determine the frost depth in your area.
- You need extra aeration for fish - an addition pump, or a pump made specifically for aeration may be needed.
- Pond filtration will need to be much higher than with a regular garden pond. Looking for filtration for your fish pond? Check out Gardensupermart's complete line of pond filters.
Because plants are an essential part of the fish pond's eco-system, consider adding a separate section (just for plants) to the koi pond that the fish cannot swim to (E.g. an upper pond where the water circulates before it returns to the main area).
Green Tip:
Grow your own vegetables. This will help to reduces carbon from fertilizers, and transportation.
Water Garden
A water garden is much easier to set up than a fish pond or a koi pond. A water garden can contain plants, waterfalls, garden fountains, and a pump to circulate the water. If murky water does not bother you, then you have no need for a filter.
Water gardens in moderate climates usually need for an area of the pond to be at least 2 feet deep. Colder climates require a depth to of at least 12" to 16" of water below the freeze zone.
