How to Maintain a Formal Koi Pond
A formal pond is often surrounded by paving or grass, which means that access for maintenance is generally good. If the pond is partly raised out of the ground by about 45cm, there will be a convenient watt to sit on when watching the koi.
Because a wall feature of this type makes human visitors to the pond smaller the koi are less nervous and quickly learn to hand feed. The major disadvantage of a formal pond is that, generally speaking, it has a greater maintenance load.
Corners tend to collect waste due to the slower movement of water and you will need to append more time cleaning the bottom. Whatever design you choose, it may well incorporate stone or slab edging around some part of the pond.
When designing an ornamental or in ground pond using this materials, it may be tempting to allow them to overhand the water. However, bear in mind that parasitic infestation or simply poor water quality can cause koi to jump from time to time.
When spawning time comes around, the females will certainly be pushed against the pond walls and probably literally lifted out of the water as well. Any overhanging rocks or slabs will cause considerable damage to the koi at these times, with potentially fatal results.
For the same reason, where rocks are used below the waterline, set them on a shelf with the flattest side facing the pond. So, how about leveling the pond? All construction, concrete, brick and block work must be level.
When filled with water, a pond quickly shows up any discrepancies here. If the pond and filter are designed to operate at the same water level, they too must be level with each other.
