Substrates/Cover?

[RTCfan86]

I've noticed in a lot of pictures of peoples outdoor ponds that there is not a substrate used. There is simply a tiled bottom. I've also noticed that there is NOTHING in these ponds besides the fish themselves. Don't they need some kind of cover/driftwood/plants or something? And what's with the lack of substrate? Too hard to keep clean in such a large pond?

 

[Muske]

Most ornamental Koi ponds do not contain a substrate or plants since they are designed to show off the fish. This is also for maint. Many of those ponds contain bottom drains that are more effecient w/o gravel.

My pond is more of a water garden. Many, many plants, gravel and boulder lined, fish and snails. I prefer this look, but if I had the room, I would also do a gnarly Koi only pond w/o plants and gravel. Again, this is to show off the fish and not the surroundings. Both have their place.

 

[mrunlucky07]

Pretty much what Muske said above. There are different types of ponds. My small turtle/minnow pond has lots of hiding, gravel and plants. Its like a 16' fish tank. The larger koi pond is kept completely bare with bottom drain. My fish are only small and eating about 1/2lb per day. As adults it will be closer to 2-3lbs per day. If you have ever cleaned a litter box with kitty liter think of that. Imagine a 15-20 large house cats locked in a small room for decades with only the floor covered in kitty litter. Your imagination should be able to come up with the results. I will say I enjoy both, but very differently. I would not recommend koi to anyone who would not want to clean a litter box after 20 cats.

 

[RTCfan86]

Thanks a lot for the information. How would someone go about cleaning all the gravel in a large pond? Same way as a fish tank, but a much larger siphon?

 

[Muske]

I have a thin layer (1-2") of gravel on the bottom. The only time is gets cleaned is early spring. I stir up the gravel with my waders as I do some maint. It will also get stirred when ever I am in the pond, but not really with the intensions of actually cleaning the gravel. I do clean the bottom weekly with a small, stiff broom by sweeping it towards the skimmer. It takes about 2 minutes and helps maintain looks and build-up of debris. I also will blow the gravel/bottom with an old Rio pump to blow debris (leaf litter) from around the lilly stems. Again, only takes a few minutes to blow it out towards the skimmer. Some ponds may require a more intensive cleaning in the spring. Ponds that collect a lot of leaves in fall or winter may need to be drained and cleaned more throughly. I feel a little more attention throghout the season prevents major clean outs the following spring.

 

[RTCfan86]

Great, thanks for the info. I hope to build a custom pond in the future. Do you have to put your pond fish inside in an aquarium during the colder months? I'm sure living in MI, I would have to do that.

 

[Muske]

No sir.

 

[jcardona1]

yeah substrate in a pond would make a huge mess. besides, after the pond is established it will grow a nice dark green coating on all the surfaces, so you dont really need substrate

 

[Yanbbrox]

Pretty much what Muske said above. There are different types of ponds. My small turtle/minnow pond has lots of hiding, gravel and plants. Its like a 16' fish tank. The larger koi pond is kept completely bare with bottom drain. My fish are only small and eating about 1/2lb per day. As adults it will be closer to 2-3lbs per day. If you have ever cleaned a litter box with kitty liter think of that. Imagine a 15-20 large house cats locked in a small room for decades with only the floor covered in kitty litter. Your imagination should be able to come up with the results. I will say I enjoy both, but very differently. I would not recommend koi to anyone who would not want to clean a litter box after 20 cats.

I couldn't agree more with this and Muske's post. I've just cleaned my substrate free pond filters today and I have to say, I'd rather clean up after 20 cats