Koi ponds don’t always equal tranquility.
If you’re not prepared, the cost and stress of repairs could ruin the serene setting you crave.
“It’s a hobby that you have to enjoy. There is consistent maintenance involved in it,” said Thomas Boyce, owner of Dacula-based Innovative Outdoors.
Chuck Crisp, owner of Splendor Koi & Pond in Marietta, said once people come down with Koi fever, they often want to buy more fish and improve their pond, adding more upkeep and more money.
“People who have koi ponds will pull in their driveway, they will close their garage, walk through their kitchen and go right to their koi pond, if it works. If you’ve got a bad pond, you don’t have interest in it,” he said.
As with other hobbies or home improvements, you’ll want to get a sense of the cost and how much your yard – and time – can handle.
Budget
It costs at least $5,000 to $7,000 – on the low end – to install a small koi pond, Boyce said. Crisp said he’s seen homeowners spend that on filtration systems alone, and costs for the ponds he installs often range from $20,000 to hundreds of thousands of dollars.
If you’re buying a home that has a koi pond, you’ll need to make sure it’s in good shape before adding fish.
“In the pond, you’re creating an ecosystem. The chemicals, pH, everything has to be in balance for the koi to stay alive and to stay healthy,” Boyce said.
The most expensive ponds, Crisp said, feature luxury items like premium filtration systems, underwater and landscaping lighting, and automatic water level systems.
Monthly costs, on average, include $50-$100 for equipment and electrical needs, and $50-100 on chemicals, Crisp said. The fish are priced based on size, variety and quality. Crisp said his selection starts at $15 and goes to $12,000. Groups such as the Atlanta Koi Club also sell fish at auction.
Location
Koi need to be protected by shade, which can dictate where a pond is placed on your property. “Koi can’t be in an area that’s really exposed or real bright,” Boyce said.
Factor in your power situation, because you want to make sure electricity is available in that area, and also consider is how far you want to walk to see the fish. Also, do you want to walk right out your patio to see the fish or further into your yard?
Predators present another challenge, so there are options such as netting systems or even sensors that will squirt water at birds to keep them away from the fish, Boyce said.
Size
New koi ponds have a natural flowing look that fit into the style of the landscape, compared to boxy ponds of the 1990s, Boyce said.
You’ll want to determine how many fish your pond can hold. A common guideline is 1 inch of fish for every 10 gallons of water. Boyce says he’s seen ponds usually 2,000-3,000 gallons.
It also needs to be at least 4 feet deep to be a true koi pond, Crisp said, but a water garden with plants and a few fish can be more shallow.
