| Koi Ponds and Water Gardens |
Whether you are looking for a dramatic naturalistic water feature, a simple entry fountain or a habitat for your prized Koi, The Highridge Corporation can design and install the water feature of your dreams.
When contemplating a new water feature, it is important to decide whether or not having koi is part of your goal. While “water gardens” or “water features” have been growing in popularity over the years, many people don’t realize that they are not technically suitable as koi habitats. Naturalistic or conventional water features (with rocks, plants and waterfalls) are actually not recommended or suitable for koi hobbyists. Keeping koi healthy requires that your water feature have several elements not commonly found in a naturalistic design. Highridge can easily help you plan and install a koi pond or a more natural water feature. Or, for the “best of both worlds”, we can create and implement a design that includes naturalistic features such as rocks and waterfalls combined with separate tranquil ponds or pools suitable for your valued koi.
In choosing the type of water feature you want, consider the following comparisons: |
| Naturalistic or Conventional Features |
Koi Ponds |
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| 1. The water garden is the “main attraction.” |
1. Fish are the “main attraction.” |
| 2. Durable, flexible liners are available. They can be customized to fit the shape and contour of any feature, and can be concealed with rock and gravel to provide a very natural appearance. |
2. Durable, flexible liners are used, although they are not concealed. Koi ponds tend to be designed with steep side slopes, so the depth and darkness of the water tends to conceal the liner. |
| 3. Rocks are often used to cover the bottom, sides and edge of the liner, to create a natural look, and to blend the water garden into the surrounding landscape. |
3. Rocks are never used in the pond itself. This prevents the fish from scraping themselves on the rock, and prevents fish waste from getting lodged between or beneath the rocks. Rocks can be used as coping around the edge of the pond. |
| 4. Bottom drains are not included. At least one annual cleaning is generally necessary. Although minimal filtration is “required”, greater filtration permits less frequent maintenance. |
4. At least one bottom drain is included in the deepest area of the pond. The fish waste sinks to that point, where it is pulled out and removed by the filtration system. Koi ponds can include multiple settling tanks and filters, preventing ammonia and other toxic substances from reaching high levels. |
| 5. “Shelves” can be created within the water feature by grading the substrate and adding rocks. This adds visual interest and provides a perfect place for water lilies and bog plants. |
5. Shelves are not included, as they make it easier for predators to enter your pond and catch the koi. They also trap fish waste, preventing it from falling to the bottom of the pond where it is removed through the bottom drain. |
| 6. Water quality is important but not critical, and frequent water changes are not usually necessary. Water lost to evaporation can be replaced manually or with an “auto fill” feature. |
6. Water quality is critical. Frequent water changes are performed, and the ponds are constantly checked for toxic ammonia levels and the presence of other toxic substances. |
| You may desire a true koi pond, a more conventional water feature, or a unique blend of the two. Whatever choice you make, The Highridge Corporation will meet your needs and expectations with the perfect combination of innovative design, modern technology, expert craftsmanship and ongoing service. |
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