There are several ways to add moving water to your Koi pond design. And, in fact, if you think about it, without moving water your pond will become stagnant.
Incorporating one or more “water-moving” features into your Koi pond design is essential for the health of both your pond and your fish! Both need oxygenated water.
Jets help move water and benefit your pond by creating surface flow. This helps debris move towards the skimmer and increases oxygen content. This outcome of this is the promotion of beneficial bacteria.
The beneficial bacteria help with the biological filtration of your pond by breaking down harmful substances into more benign forms of matter.
Once the jets move the debris within range, the skimmer can remove most of it from the surface before it has a chance to settle to the bottom of the pond.
Having one or two pump or filter return lines located about 12 to 18 inches below the surface provides many benefits. You can turn a valve to direct flow to the below surface return.
Then the water flow can be used to corral the leaves and other organic debris sitting on the bottom of your pond and move it closer to the bottom drains for pickup.
Return lines can also aid water circulation in the pond when chemicals are added. your Koi will enjoy exercising in the current that’s been created. Koi are river fish and they love swimming in currents.
Waterfalls are beautiful to look at. I believe that a good Koi pond design should include a waterfall.
The sound is soothing and relaxing and the water moving over rocks generates negative ions which are added to the air. As you breathe negatively charged air, it helps relieves stress and anxiety. Waterfalls also add extra oxygen to the pond.
In fact, one of the most common ways to add oxygen to a pond is by installing a waterfall. Anything that disrupts the surface of the pond will help add oxygen.
The only place where oxygen can effectively be transferred into the pond water is at the surface. This is because, at the surface, atmospheric pressure on the water and the oxygen is equal.
Another feature that helps create moving water and helps oxygenate your pond is a fountain. If for some reason you can’t have a waterfall then you should definitely include a fountain and there is certainly no reason you shouldn’t include both if you wish!
As you can see, there are many ways to incorporate moving water in your pond. Some are merely functional, while others are ornamental and even aid in relaxation as well. Make sure to include as many as you can in your Koi pond design.
