Whether you’re using the colder months to start planning a new pond for your yard in the spring, or you’re looking for ways to improve the pond you have, you may encounter often-spread information about building a backward pond. Myths about pond depth, maintenance, and stocking can seem very reasonable, but it might surprise you to learn how many of these aren’t true. These top-five myths about building a pond may change the way you plan your water garden.
- A pond must be three-feet deep to keep Koi. During cold seasons, thick ice often forms on the tops of ponds. Fish need sufficient ice-free space to hibernate over the winter. However, ice sheets only form to about an eight-inch thickness in the coldest climates because of how the earth insulates deeper waters. Koi live happily in ponds of only two feet.
- Ponds mean more mosquitoes. Mosquitoes prefer to lay their eggs in stagnant, still waters which have little movement. Well-designed water features have pond pumps to keep water currents flowing. This naturally keeps the mosquito population down. Koi fish are another excellent way to keep mosquitoes at bay. They’ll eat eggs and larvae from the water’s surface.
- Gravel and rocks on the bottom of a pond make it difficult to clean. Rocks, stones, and gravel on the bottom of your pond provide a habitat for beneficial bacteria. These bacteria assist in breaking down the waste your pond and fish generate. Smooth-bottomed ponds tend to accumulate muck. Gravel has an attractive look, as well.
- Predators will eat all your fish. Predators in your environment may look on your fish as a tasty snack, but it’s easy to deter them and keep your koi safe. Providing lily pads and rock formations for cover will give fish a place to hide. Motion-detecting sprinkler systems can drive predators away, too.
- Ponds require too much work. A balanced pond doesn’t take much work at all. Good pond filters, pond supplies, and knowledge will cut down the effort you need to put into pond maintenance, and leave you more time to enjoy your beautiful water fixture.