The Official Pond Thread...

[Aqua Pro Builder]

cant wait to build my pond. how deep do you guys go so kois can escape winter?

An old pond of mine was no more 2.5" deep and the gold fish all survived the winter. Remember the record breaking winter storm years years back? The snow were so thick(more than 8 feet in my drive way) that I could jump from first floor window on to the ground without hurting. Originally trying to rescue the fish but then found that there was only one patch of water left not frozen and all the fish were jamed there. I stepped on the ice and saw the fishes' tails slowly flowing with the water in the there so I know they are good. When Spring came, they even had babies before I realized it.

In general, in NYC area all you need is 3' if you have koi, goldfish and comets.

 

[masterswimmer]

One of the most important things to remember when keeping koi, GF and comets in a pond environment is feeding. Once the water temperature hits 55 degrees, feeding needs to stop completely. If this caveat is adhered to, then keeping them through the winter is much more successful.

Even though the water is obviously not frozen at 55 degrees, the fish shouldn't be fed. The urge is to feed them.

Another important consideration is leaving an opening in the ice. Wingo might have had success for a winter, but the odds are stacked against this being healthy. Oxygen exchange needs to occur even in winter. Decomposing leaves and fish waste will build up under the ice and can be fatal to the fish.

Here's a decent article about koi pond maintenance.

swimmer