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Aquatic Plants

Aquatic Plants

Choosing the right plants for your pond in Arizona will make it more visually stunning and preserve the health of the pond. If you’re searching “Aquatic Plants” you’re either planning a new pond or considering about how to make your present pond better.

Aquatic Plants

Water plants are generally considered one of the best ways to enhance a water feature. Occasionally called aquatic plants, there are water plants for just about every type of water feature, from small table fountains to spacious backyard ponds. The type of aquatic plant that will best suit your water feature is will be decided by your requirements, as well as the developing features of each plant.

Tropical Night Blooming Lilies

The Antares Night Blooming Tropical Water Lily is an attractive rosy-red colored lily with 5 1/2″ – 7 1/2″ flowers. This free flowering lily has a bowl-like flower likeness and the leaves are darkish rust color. The Antares Night Blooming Tropical Water Lily opens right before nightfall and stays open until the morning hours.

Hard Water Lilies

A water garden is not complete without one or more of these elegant pond plants. The hardy water lily is available in an assortment of sizes and colors. The water lily plant, once they established in your backyard pond will reward you with a lot flowers all through the summer months. Hardy water lilies will bloom regularly May thru September. They do great in winter and the water lily will comeback in the spring once again giving you a lovely backyard pond plant.

Tropical Water Lilies

Tropical water lilies make a stunning centerpiece in your backyard pond. Its flowers rise several inches out of the water and are more bountiful than hardy lilies. Flowers open mid-morning and will stay open until late the afternoon or early evening. Tropical water lilies can safely be placed outdoors when the water temperatures are a regular 65+ degrees. Tropical water lilies that are marked as Viviparous (producing seeds that grow on the plant itself) will endure through cooler water temperatures and bloom later into the autumn months.

Aquatic Bog Plants

Aquatic bog plants grow in shallow water or at the border of the pond. Marginal plants consist of pond plant variations that stand above the water while their feet constantly remain wet. All of the hardy bog pond plants are a perennial type and will come back every spring and bloom at various times all through the season. Hardy bog plants are valuable because they add height and proportion to the pond giving it a more natural look.

Water Iris

An additional favorite for pond owners is the water iris, as there are a lot of varieties to choose from. They supply a long sharp leaf, and depending on the species can produce various color flowers, from white, blue, to yellows. Commonly, these plants are placed in pots which are then submerged in the pond water. The majority of water iris will survive in limited or full sun, which is good for those that have some type of shade.

Lotus

Lotus plants are a hardy perennial pond plant and will give you colorful flowers year in, year out. Some water lotus species have leaves that can reach up to 2’ in circumference and massive flowers up to 12” in diameter. Some smaller and medium varieties can adapt to patio gardening also.

Aquatic Plants For Sale In Phoenix

For aquatic plants purchasing give us a call today at (623) 878-6695 or stop by our store and take a look at our wide selection of pond products. We can also install, service and maintain your fish pond.

How To Clean A Pond

How To Clean A Pond

If you are searching for “how to clean a pond“, this post by The Backyard Pond can help! It doesn’t matter how hard you try, you will have to clean your pond at some point. Cleaning your pond can greatly increase the lifetime of your pond (and your Koi fish, if you have them) and let you enjoy it for years to come.

Cleaning Your Pond

There will come a time that you will need to clean your pond. You may be preparing your pond for the summer or winter, or maybe you been a little lax on the upkeep and maintenance. There are steps you can take to clean your pond and make it look “newish”. A clean pond gives a new environment for the bacteria in your biological filter and fresh water for the fish. The amount of cleaning required will usually depend on the size of your pond and location of it.

Remove Your Koi Fish From Your Pond

This is far from a clean job, so you shouldn’t wear your Sunday best. Take into account you’re going get dirty, the smell may be unbearable and it might be a bit cold. You’re going to need a fine mesh aquarium net, a garden hose with a spray adapter, and a holding tank (if you plan on removing your fish) big enough to store your fish while cleaning out your pond. You also may need to use a pond vacuum, pond cleaning gloves, if you have access to them.

If your pond is a smaller one, you can simply scoop your Koi out with the aquarium net to transfer them into the holding tank. If you have a larger Koi pond, it might be simpler to just let the fish be. If you do plan on removing them, fill the holding tank with pond water from you pond so an abrupt change in water temperature or water quality won’t shock your fish.

Get Rid Of Surface Debris

More often than not you’re going to see an assortment of sticks and leaves floating on the surface of the pond. Use the net to scoop out all of the debris. This is an easy part but don’t think this is it, you’re far from done. You’re going to get messy soon enough.

Drain The Koi Pond

Use a pond pump to drain the water out of the pond. If you leave your fish in the pond, you clearly don’t want to pump out all of the pond water.

Draining will expose the sides of the pond and makes it a lot easier to remove the algae and other gunk. Depending on the type and strength of your pond pump and the size of your pond, it could take a couple of minutes or in some cases longer than an hour.

Make sure to send the pond water to an area in your yard that has really good drainage. Also try and take at least an hour-long break after you drain the pond and let the sun to dry out the newly revealed algae.

Remove Any Pond Plants and Any Accessories

Remove the pond pump, pond plants and anything else that can be removed. Remove any water lilies and other pond plants in autumn, if you still have plants in your pond at the beginning of spring, take them out too. Use the garden hose and an old toothbrush to really clean all the accessories and their hard to reach places. This is an ideal time to clean or replace the filter on your pond pump. Some pumps have a mesh bag, I yours does simply spray it off with your hose.

Clean the Pump

Now is a great time to clean out your pond’s pump. There are various different types of algae that can thrive in your ponds’ ecosystem. While some of it is valuable for the pond and a natural part of its ecosystem, while string algae is not. You’ll know when you are seeing string algae if it’s stringy, clearly, and if you are capable of just pulling it out of your pond. It tends to stick to bottom of ponds and grow upwards in long strands. They get caught up in your pump and other mechanical systems very easily, and the best and easiest way to clean it is to take the pump out and physically clear away the algae. You can use a brush to scrub any growth on the outside of the casing, but if any sting algae has gotten inside, you will need to take out the pump from the pond altogether.

Get In There And Clean Your Backyard Pond

Use a hose with a spray attachment and forcefully spray away the algae growth on the sides of the Koi pond. Be sure to spray the waterfall and the rocks that line the outside of the pond.

Then, use the net to scoop out the muck and sludge that’s been sitting at the bottom of the pond. This is going to be the messy part. You’re likely to come across a lot of smelly slime, partially decayed plant material and maybe even an incidental lizard or fish.

Once you are done cleaning the pond, it’s time to put the pond back together. Connect the pond pump back up, and replace all of your pond plants and accessories.

Fill The Pond Back Up

Use the garden hose to refill the pond to the desired water level you like. Once the pond is full, turn on the pump and let the water to circulate for a couple of minutes. Most likely you’re going to use tap water. Tap water has chlorine in it, so you may have to add a dechlorinator to safeguard the fish.

Add Your Fish

The new, fresh water in your pond is more likely colder than the water in the holding tank, so give your fish a little time to acclimate. To protect your fish you will want to dump some of the water out of the holding tank and replace it with the new pond water, and repeat the process a number of times.

Phoenix, Arizona Koi Pond

If you already have a Koi pond or if you are thinking about installing a pond and would like a little help or advice with budgeting and design considerations, talk to the Phoenix Koi Pond Experts in Peoria, AZ at The Backyard Pond. Call us today at 623-878-6695 and see what we can do for you.

Koi Pond Filters

Koi Pond Filters Phoenix

If you are searching “koi pond filters” you are most likely looking for basic information on which pond filter best suits your pond needs. Your pond’s filter keeps the water clean, clear and manages the overall health of the pond whether or not you have koi fish, a water feature and any pond plants contained in it. Ponds of any kind simply cannot exist without a pond filter. To have a healthy pond or if you have koi fish, you’re going to need a filter, and you need to find one that is the right size for your pond. Without a pump and filtration system your pond can go from the star of your backyard, to the cloudy green monster in your backyard. Your filtration system gets rid of the debris that gets in your pond.

There Are 3 Basic Types of Pond Filters

There are many types of pond filters, which one you choose to use depends on a couple of factors. The size of your pond, where it is located, how much you want to spend, and if you are going to have fish, all will determine the type of filter you will need. Although there are many different types of pond filters; in this post we will cover the 3 basic ones.

Waterfall/ Skimmer External Pond Filters

Comparable to common swimming pool overflow filters this type of design skims debris from the surface as the pond “overflows” into a recessed skimmer basket. The pond water is then pumped to the opposite end of the pond, where it pours back into your pond over a waterfall bio-filter. Well designed landscaping will hide the entire system so you will see only an appealing water feature.

This type of filter is best suited for medium to large ponds with koi fish. They cost around $470-$1200 for the filter and pump. There is minimal maintenance and installation is moderate. On of the benefits of this filter system it is low in maintenance with easy debris removal. Another benefit about this filter it is hidden by landscaping.

Submersible Pond Filters

In this set up, the filter sits at the bottom of the pond. A submersible pump creates suction to draw water through the filter; it then forces the filtered water to a waterfall or fountain where it re-circulates the water back into the pond.

This system is best for small to medium ponds with small amounts of koi fish or no fish at all. This cost of this filter is around $85-$300 for an entire filtration system. Installation is easy and maintenance is reasonable (depending on the filter location accessibility). Another benefit about this filter it is completely submerged under the water.

External Pond Filters

If you need life-supporting filtration for koi fish or other types of fish in nearly any size pond, think about an external filtration system. In this set up, a pump with an optional pre-filter or skimmer takes water from the pond to a chambered “flow through” filter near the pond at a higher level. Filtered water then pours out of the filter plumbing downward to your pond. The flow can also be directed over a waterfall or streambed.
These filters are for small to large ponds with or without fish. The system costs about $90-$2150 for the filter and pump. Installation is just some easy plumbing. Landscaping may be necessary to hide the filter. It is easily maintained. The filter is accessible on land, but the amount of time to clean it will depend on the filter design. A few pressure filters just need you flip a switch. This system has the best configuration. This system also has widest choice of design and equipment options.

Phoenix, Arizona Koi Pond Filter Systems

If you already have a koi pond or you are considering installing a pond and would like some help or advice with budget and design considerations, talk to the Phoenix Koi pond experts in Peoria, AZ.

The Backyard Pond – 623-878-6695

How To Remove Algae From Your Pond Without Harming Fish

How To Remove Algae From My Pond Without Harming Fish

If you are searching “how to remove algae from my pond” or “how to clean algae from my pond without harming fish” this post should help send you in the right direction.

Algae or string algae is a filamentous species that attaches to plants, hangs from rocks in waterfalls, or hangs on the surface of the water. The long strands tangle together and form thick mats. Excessive string algae will reduce oxygen content, but it doesn’t mean bad water. New ponds often develop green water, but this usually clears within 90 days as plants grow and use up excess nutrients.

Remove Algae
Remove Debris
Free Floating Aquatic Plants
Use Barley Straw
Utilize Beneficial Bacteria Tablets

1. Remove Algae

Rake out as much algae as possible with a pond or garden rake, taking care not to damage the pond liner by accidentally tearing it.

2. Remove Debris

Remove fallen leaves and dead plant foliage from the pond. Siphon plant debris and silt from the bottom of the pond with a pond vacuum, working slowly and carefully to avoid stressing your fish.

3. Free Floating Aquatic Plants

Plant enough floating aquatic plants so that around 50 to 70 percent of the pond surface itself is covered. Place free-floating plants directly into the water. Cover the soil in aquatic plant containers with heavy gravel and place them at the pond level that allows their foilage to float on the surface. If needed place bricks in the pond to stand container plants at the correct level.

4. Use Barley Straw

Place a bundle of barley straw on a large upside-down plastic pot in the pond, so that the bundle is just submerged underneath the water. One 8-ounce bundle treats around 1,000 gallons of pond water. The algae will slowly disappear as the barley straw breaks down when exposed to sunlight and oxygen.

5. Utilize Beneficial Bacteria Tablets

Place a tablet of beneficial pond bacteria in your pond, on a plant or rock, every two weeks. One 1-ounce tablet usually treats around 1,000 gallons of pond water.

Supplies You Will Need

Aquatic Plants
Beneficial Bacteria Tablets
Bricks (Optional)
Bundle Of Barley Straw
Pond or Garden Rake
Heavy Gravel
Large Plastic Plant Pot
Pond Vacuum

Tips For Your Pond

Anchored and also free-floating water plants shade out algae and can absorb excessive nutrients. Water lilies grow in water from 1 foot, up to 4 feet deep and can spread 5 to 6 feet wide. Bearing 5-inch summer flowers that open yellow and turn coppery-bronze, this low-maintenance plant is hardy. Fanwort which bears white flowers May through September and has branching stems of tiny, fan-shaped leaves spread 1 foot to 3 feet wide.

Warnings For Your Pond

Don’t oversupply your pond with fish. One hundred gallons of water is enough for one 6-inch fish or ten 1-inch fish. To determine the amount of water in your pond, multiply its average length, width and depth. Multiply the total by 7.5. This will give you the number of gallons in your pond.

Don’t over feed your fish. Give them as much as they can eat in two minutes, at least up to four times a day. Stop feeding as soon as food is left uneaten, and don’t feed your fish when temperatures are consistently below 45 degrees Fahrenheit.

The Backyard Pond Offers Pond Mainteance & Cleaning

We are specialists in imported Japanese Nishikigoi, Goldfish and Waterplants. We also offer Pond Supplies, Pond Construction and Design. All prices are subject to change without notice. Let us create the backyard pond of your dreams. Loaded with pleanty of koi fish, water gardens, aquatic plants and other pond accessories.

Koi Pond Maintenance Tips

Koi Pond Maintenance Tips

When you are searching for “Koi Pond Maintenance Tips” near you in Phoenix, Arizona, The Backyard Pond can help! Call us at 623-878-6695 for more information.

Koi Fish Pond Maintenance

Having a Koi pond in your backyard or garden can help you find a quiet and serene corner in your yard where you can spend some time among nature and get some fresh air. Keeping up with the application of beneficial bacteria, checking your pond pump for debris, and changing your UV bulb on a regular basis are only part of the upkeep. Utilizing pond tools such as scissors & pliers, collapsible skimmers & fish nets, a heavy duty pond net, and a pond water test kit to name a few.

Some Tips to Maintain Your Koi Pond

Maintaining your pond is important not only for the ponds’ sake but also for the benefit of your Koi fish. Below you will find a small list of some of the key factors in maintaining your Koi pond. This is not a dedicated list, there are other considerations to take in account for your pond not only to last a long time but to keep your Koi fish happy, and more importantly healthy.

Perform Consistent Water Checks To Avoid Common Problems

Check your water levels daily as evaporation can fluctuate the water levels, and fill as needed. If you find that you are losing more water than you should, you should check for any leaks, this is not only bad for your pond but also for your wallet. Repair any tears in the liner with a patch from a scrap of liner. Fix any cracks in your pond with a readily available fiberglass repair kit.

Maintain The Right Temperature

Even though your Koi can manage temperatures between 35 and 85 F degrees, it’s a good idea to keep your fish in water that ranges somewhere between 65 and 75 F degrees. Because we live in the Valley of the Sun, it is best to find a way to shade your pond from the brutal summer heat.

Create Shade Over the Pond

You may need to create a shade over the pond, not only to keep temperatures down, limit algae growth, but also to protect the Koi themselves. There are several types of shades you can use to shade your Koi pond. Try to avoid placing your pond near trees, as roots and debris can compromise your pond. A couple of examples you can use are pergolas and shade sails. There are also dedicated pond covers available.

Avoid Over Feeding

Over feeding your Koi fish is not only expensive, but can actually harm your fish. Overfeeding can also be bad for the health of you pond itself. Chemical balances in the pond need to be carefully monitored as some are good for the pond and some are bad. Uneaten food can cause low oxygen levels, algae bloom, cloudy water and worst of all mold. Food that has not been eaten can also get caught in your pond filters and clog them.

Properly Maintain All Your Koi Pond Equipment

Make sure all of your supplies and equipment are up to date and in properly working condition. These should, but not always include the filtration system, the high powered pond pump, the ultraviolet sterilizer, and the aeration system. With proper care, you’ll have a greater chance of keeping the water sparkling clean and your Koi happy. It is also a good idea to check your filters also as they can get clogged and not flow correctly.

Invest In A Filtration System

A good filtration system will greatly benefit your Koi pond. Koi live their entire lives in the pond, it is where sleep, eat and do their business. Mechanical filters are like vacuum cleaners, they clean unwanted debris from the water. Biological filters, on the other hand, use bacteria to detoxify the water. Both of them work, but it is up to you to choose the best one for your pond. You also have to factor in the size of your pond when choosing a filter. It is a good rule to double the size of your filter according to the size of your pond. A 1000 gallon pond should have a 2000 gallon filter. The filter is ultimately there for the benefit of the Koi, so also take into account your Koi population.

Keep Your Koi Population Under Control

Keeping your Koi population under control is vital to your Koi, the more the merrier is not always the case. Some Koi can get out of control during breeding season and it can soon get out of hand. To many Koi can disrupt the natural balance in the pond, putting your Koi in jeopardy. One method of population control is to re home the Koi you do not want. You might think that is too much effort and would rather take them down to a nearby pond or community watering hole and letting them go. Please don’t do this, these bodies of water contain their own ecosystem, and entering new species will disrupt it. The best way to re home your Koi is to find a local club or chapter, they can give you advice and you can make new contacts and friends as a result.

Cleaning Items Within The Pond

Cleaning your pond will keep it looking nice and also help keep your Koi healthy. You will need some supplies to clean your pond such as a small brush as you will be scrubbing the rocks or tiles, a sizeable bucket (if you are removing the Koi to clean the pond), a pond skimmer net, scissors & pliers, fish nets, and a pond water test kit. Another good idea is to get a leaf net as this will keep bigger debris from falling in the pond itself. They are a little more expensive, but some Koi enthusiasts use a pond vacuum.

Remove Harmful Debris

Debris entering your Koi pond, not only makes you work twice as hard to keep the pond clean, but it is also harmful to your Koi. Debris in the pond can also cause poor water quality. Small particles can make your Koi sick when eaten and larger particles could get caught in the filter reducing water flow.

Caring for Your Pond

Maintaining your Koi pond not only keeps your Koi fish healthy, but also keeps your pond looking great throughout the year. By beginning with the right set-up, your Koi fish will prosper and bring you joy for many years to come. Koi fish are clearly one of the best fish types for your backyard pond.

Taking Care of Your Koi Pond in Phoenix

When you are interested in purchasing pond supplies or pond accessories in Peoria, Phoenix or anywhere else in the Valley, stop by our store today. We can also install, service and maintain your Koi fish pond, give The Backyard Pond a call at 623-878-6695.

Fundamentals of Koi Pond Design

If you are searching “how do i design a koi pond” you are most likely looking for basic information on designing your own pond. Ponds add color and life to your landscape and it is a project that adds beauty and value to your home.

There are 3 fundamentals for the design of a koi pond that all koi enthusiasts will agree on and then debate about how to accomplish it.

Koi Pond Design Fundamentals

Remove the solid waste such as fish poop, uneaten fish food, pine needles, leaf debris, and windblown debris from the pond using pond skimmers, bottom drains and even mid-water drains.

Settle Solid Waste as it is removed in a pre-filter. This is normally done in separate tank or removed physically with new technology through a pond sieve before biological filtration.

Nitrify or Filter your pond water, this is where you convert ammonia to nitrite and nitrite to nitrate and then add it back to the pond through waterfalls and it returns to circulation jets below the water level.
These fundamentals are the foundation of the koi pond design. It is from this that you can begin planning. The depth, length and width of the pond will determine the gallons of water. It is from here that we can add the equipment selection by using pumps with matched speed limits for skimmers, UV filters, bottom drains, biological filters, pre-filters, and more. Every pond design is subjective to your goals and can be influenced by your budget and landscape.

Design Tips for your Koi Pond

Your koi pond needs to be designed properly for your fish to thrive. Many professionals will recommend that your pond meet set criteria to be able to provide the best situation for your fish. Normally koi ponds are larger than a fishless pond.

Size Requirements:

• No less than 1000 gallons
• 3 or more feet deep
• 25 square feet of pond for each koi

It is vital that you know that fish will need to have some sort of shade. If the pond happens to get direct sunlight, then you should consider floating plants such as water lilies. Most of the pond surface needs to be shaded to give your koi a comfortable place to escape the sun. Another benefit of plants is that they give them a place to hide from predators.

Water plants are essential. Aquatic plants will help to balance the ecosystem which helps to create a natural home for your fish. There are some plants that are oxygenators which mean that they put oxygen in the water, which the fish can breathe. Koi also eat many types of water plants. Fish don’t need to be fed as long as the pond isn’t over stocked as they can live off algae, insects and other food in the environment. Certain plants can be included as a food source.

Filtration

Good pond filters will help to keep your pond clean and clear. Koi provide a lot of waste which means that a filter is needed. There are 2 types of filtration: biological and mechanical. Mechanical filtration will trap fish waste and debris. Skimmers, pump baskets, and bottom drains are great for mechanical filtration. Biological filters use beneficial bacteria to turn toxins into harmless substances.

Aeration

Fish will need oxygen to survive. Based on your pond size, the amount of plants that are growing and how many fish you have may cause you to need aeration. This is a process of circulating oxygen into the pond water.

Fountains and waterfalls are pleasing ways to aerate a pond. The water motion will allow natural circulation of oxygen. You may even begin to consider adding equipment to aerate your pond. These jets or pumps are great if you have large fish or live in hot climates.

Water Quality

Your pond water quality will impact your fish health. You will want to keep an eye on the pH levels and water temperature. The ideal temperature for your koi is between 39 F to 68 F. The deeper the water is, the easier it is to regulate the pond temperature. The best pH for your pond is between 7.0 – 7.8.
You should be aware that chlorine will hurt your koi, it burns the gills of your fish and leads to death. It is for this reason that you need to wait more than a week after putting chlorine in your pond before you stock it with fish. If you don’t want to wait, you can purchase a dechlorinator.

Hybrid Koi Pond Designs

If you want to challenge yourself to make these changes to their ponds the results are healthier, and happier koi fish and better clarity and quality of water than ever before.
We can learn from the koi pond debate on how to remove solids out of our ponds, settling them, and then making the water safe by nitrifying it. The biggest debate is how to accomplish the fundamentals of pond construction is a big interest. This is about the maintenance, care, well-being of the fish and upkeep. In the last 10 years, the ongoing care for koi has turned out some great technology that hasn’t really become a common practice among pond contractors.

What has been turned out and implemented in the last few years is quite exciting. You can see a big growth rate for koi ponds and making hybrid eco-system ponds within the next few years. The latest and greatest technologies will become mainstream and a new approach for education on installation of koi ponds will help to mold and shape the future for all koi ponds. If you are looking to design and then build a koi pond or are considering pond upgrades, let us help you to find the best technologies for your needs.

Koi Pond Design in Phoenix

For Koi Pond Design give us a call today at (623) 878-6695 or stop store and take a look at our wide selection of koi services and products.

What Is Koi

What Is Koi Phoenix AZ

Are you a koi fish enthusiast, fan or keeper? It won’t matter if you’re just starting with koi or a seasoned breeder, they always have something else to learn. Below are some interesting facts about koi, such as female koi’s are not only rounder, but larger than male koi fish.

Heritage of Koi

It is thought that the koi fish originated within China, later being used by Japanese as a food source, which started to breed koi during the 1800’s for aesthetic appeal. Koi in their many beautiful varieties that we see today, are descendants of a black fish known as Magoi, better known as the common carp. They date back almost twenty five hundred years originating from Eastern Asia – in the Azov, Caspian, Aral and Black Seas – and from parts of China. Contrary to common belief Koi did not originate in Japan. Koi were brought to Japan with the invading Chinese approximately 200 BC.

Popularity Contest

The most popular koi fish in Japan is the Kohaku, which is a white and red koi, also known best as the koi you start with and the koi you end with. It is also the most popular in the U. S., as well as the Showa Sanke, and Taisho Sanke. Ogan Koi is more prominent even in inadequately filtered ponds because of their single color can be seen even in cloudy water.

Smarty Fish

When it comes to intelligence, the koi are rather smart. Similar to cats and dogs, a koi fish can be trained to eat from your hand, or some train koi to eat from their mouths. As koi are omnivores, they are known for eating pond plants. Some species of koi are also known to recognize their owners’ faces.

Body Works

A Koi fish is able to grow to great lengths, up to 3 feet in ideal living conditions, such as a pond. However, if a pond is not deep enough, they can get sunburnt, and they need plenty of shade. Females are bigger than males, and koi do not have teeth. Ogon Koi is also the most favored by breeders because it is known to have a longer lifespan than multicolored Koi.

The Great Mate

In the process of mating, it is common for koi to eat their recently hatched young, known as koi fry. It is important to separate the koi fish from the koi fry during mating season to ensure the fry is preserved. If breeders are raising koi that are highly sought, it can bring thousands of dollars per koi. For a prized koi, $250,000 is not unheard of. Koi, like many other types of fish, koi breed by spawning.

The Great, Great, Great Grandpa Koi

Most popular in Japan, the Kohaku is a variety of white koi with red patches.

The oldest known koi recorded was a legendary koi by the name of Hanako, which was hatched in 1751 and passed away in 1977, making it 226 years old. That means this koi survived through Industrial America, French Revolution, the United States formation, inventions of the automobile and electricity industries, World War I, World War II, and well into the Vietnam War. However, the average lifespan of koi is 30 to 40 years.

Showing Age

Although Hanako survived 226 years, the age of the koi could not be detected by the naked eye. The scales of a koi fish are covered by microscopic growth marks, similar to the rings on a tree. These marks indicate patterns of food shortage or rapid growth. Environmental factors also have a hand in how long your koi will live. In established koi ponds the quality of care is also a factor. The breed type may also determine lifespan.

Representations

Various virtues are symbolized by koi fish within Asian cultures. Koi are recognized as being symbols of endurance, perseverance, individualism and strength. In many cultures, tattoos representing koi are not uncommon, representing the overcoming of adversity. Koi are also associated with wealth and success. In Japan festivals are held for their positive qualities with family strength and development.

Rainbow of Ideals

As koi are able to develop a wide range of colors, there are no surprises that every hue developed connotation. Metallic koi symbolize business success. Gold koi represent prosperity and wealth. Blue koi represents serenity, while Asagi koi of red, blue and grey color represent positivity. Black koi are considered to have patriarchal symbolism, with blue belonging to the son, red to the mother, and pink to the daughter.

Do you know any interesting facts about koi fish you would like to share? Leave a comment or send us message using the contact form!

Choosing Koi Fish

Koi fish have amazingly diverse patterns and colors. Personal preference is ultimately the deciding factor when you are choosing which Koi fish to choose to put in your backyard pond. Choosing Koi fish should follow a few guidelines to help make sure you are getting healthy fish. For people wanting to breed and sell Koi fish out of their backyard pond attention to color balance, body shape, and head shape become details that must be paid attention. Champion Koi conform to a list of elements that serious keepers, breeders, and judges look for.

Koi Body & Head Shape

This is the most influential of the 3 categories of attributes. The body, fins, and head should be free from any type of damage or deformities, such as scars, indents, bumps, or any element that throws off the overall symmetry of the Koi. The Koi fish head should be long and broad. The eyes should be set and equal distance apart and the same height. Koi fish symmetry is one of the most influential elements in selecting Koi fish.

Koi Color Quality

The color on the Koi fish should be consistent over the body of the entire fish. While Koi may have multiple colors, each of the colors should have consistent saturation and uniformity. For example if your Koi has a bright orange spots they should be equal brightness and saturation over the whole body of the Koi fish. It’s best if there is a good balance of color that supports the symmetry. Each color present on the fish should be the same shade. This means the blacks should be black, not black and grey. Keep in mind that as the Koi grow the colors will change over time.

Koi Fish Pattern

Balance is the key to visually attractive Koi fish patterns. Even distribution of pattern that is respective to the size of the fish is best. For example if a large Koi has a very small pattern it can seem as if there is something missing from the fish. In contrast a small Koi feels over whelmed if there is too much patterning present. Patterns that cover the entire fish evenly are sought after as they present a well balanced visual presentation. In addition when the nose and tail of a Koi fish are the same color it feels coordinated and the colors and pattern that exist between them feel framed.

The Choice Is Yours

These guidelines are ultimately for people interested in breeding, and competition. For your backyard pond you can choose to have whichever fish are visually pleasing to your eye. As we all know beauty is in the eye of the beholder and this is very true when it comes to fish. We all have our favorite colors and are attracted to different combinations of colors and pattern.

Koi Fish For Sale In Arizona

Phoenix’s best choice in Koi fish is located conveniently in Peoria Arizona. The Backyard Pond has everything you need to start, maintain, and upgrade your backyard ponds. From the liner and aquatic plants to the Koi fish themselves we can help you get your dream Koi pond started. Stop by our store or give us a call to get your questions answered.

How To Maintain A Backyard Pond In Phoenix

How To Maintain A Backyard Pond In Phoenix

Having a pond in your backyard is a great centerpiece of your landscaping. However without proper maintenance it can become the monster lurking in your yard. Here are a set of steps for how to maintain a backyard pond.

Elements of a Backyard Pond

The type of maintenance required for each pond is different, partly because different yards will have more or less trees, sunlight, and other variables. Even different styles and materials the ponds are made with will mean more or less cleaning. Most ponds share common elements, here are a few of them.

Pond Edge Materials – The edges of most ponds are lined with an edging material. Usually concrete pavers or even stones are lined between the water and the rest of your landscape. This isn’t just for a great aesthetic look, but helps prevent contamination. The water running off your lawn may be fertilized. The chemicals found in lawn fertilizer are not good for these ponds, especially if you have Koi fish.

Pond Liners – The soil in your yard is meant to drain water away from the roots of your plants. When you have a pond you generally want to keep the water where you put it, and a PVC or rubber liner is how we get the job done.

Pond Sand Bases – Before the liner goes down a layer of sand is laid. This is so that your liner has a soft even place to rest. Without this you might have sharp rocks that will pierce your liner and leak your water.

Seasonal Backyard Pond Maintenance Routines

Depending on the size of your pond you will require more or less often maintenance. It might seem crazy but the larger ponds are actually easier to take care of. This is because they can cope with changes to chemistry and ecology. Here we have listed out the ways to take care of your backyard pond in each season.

Spring Backyard Pond Maintenance

If your liner has more than an inch of debris or muck you are going to need to drain the pond and hose off the liner. Cleaning the bottom of the pond keeps your filters and pumps working, and makes them last longer.
While you have the pond drained it is a good chance to look for any potential leaks. Limbs or branches from trees can fall and pierce the liner of your pond. Pond liner repair kits are inexpensive and effective. This will prevent water from leaking out, or contaminants under your liner from entering your ecosystem.
Replace the filter and make sure the pump is working. Replace any piece of your pump or filtration system that isn’t working.
Top off the water level in your pond. Do so by placing the water trickling into the bottom of the pond. This helps stir up the minimum amount of debris.
Get rid of any debris or leaves from the pond. This debris as it decomposes releases harmful chemicals into ponds. The Nitrate levels need to be controlled for these close ecosystems.
Consider adding some plants to help increase the level of oxygen in the water. In addition to aeration of the water from falling water you can put oxygenating aquatic plants into your pond.
If you have potted plants you can divide them. This keeps them growing well and getting bigger.
Switch the feed you are using for your fish in the spring. You will want to make sure that you are using a high-carbohydrate type food. This will help them increase activity.
After all potential for frost has passed you can add any submerged or potted plants to your pond. If you install them too early you run the risk of algae getting out of control.

Summer Backyard Pond Maintenance

Stay on top of the water level. Letting the water get too long concentrates salt in the water and is harmful to the fish, pond, pump and filtration system. Try to add a little every week or two instead of having to add large amounts every month.
Plants grow best in the summer and can get out of control. It’s important to remove dead leaves to keep the water clean. Plants or flowers that are overgrowing should also be trimmed back. This will help keep the water cleaner and require less maintenance.
Keep an eye on your pump intakes and filters. A weekly check should be done and clean them out if they are starting to get clogged.
Watch The Water Chemistry. Kits should be bought to keep track of the water quality. Much like operating a hot tub the chemistry in the water dictates how safe it is. Pond chemistry sticks should be used that properly measure for chlorine, ammonia, and chloramines. High levels of any of these chemicals can be harmful to, or kill your fish.
Watch the fish for odd behavior or sores. It can be a sign of water chemistry being off.
Use aquatic-plant fertilizer tables on your potted plants each month of the summer. This helps keep them healthy and growing well.
If your yard is prone to pests on the plants use non toxic methods to control them. Algae can grow out of control if you don’t control it. Use a long-handled bristle brush, pole, or rake to get rid of your algae.

Fall Backyard Pond Maintenance

Fall is known for falling leaves, and decaying leaves in your pond raise ammonia levels. If you only have a few trees and can skim the leaves out of your pond with a net or skimmer you should be fine. If you have a lot of trees near the pond a net should be set in place. They can be bought inexpensively and secured in place with tent spikes, bricks or rocks.
Cut back on the feeding of your fish. Once the water reaches 50°F stop feeding your fish entirely. During the winter digestion in fish enters an almost hibernation like state. The amount they need to eat is more than supplied by bugs and other things they can find naturally in the pond.
Take any plants that won’t cope well with colder temperatures. Arizona rarely has serious freezes. But plants that won’t survive cooler nights should be brought in.

Winter Backyard Pond Maintenance

In Arizona freezes are not common. However if there is a freeze coming, clear your water lines and any pond fountains.

Phoenix Koi Pond Pumps

Phoenix Koi Pond Pumps

Fish ponds of any kind can not exist without a pond pump. To have a healthy Koi fish pond you need a pump, and you need one that is the right size for your pond. Without a pump and filtration your pond can go from the star of your backyard landscaping show, to the murky monster in your backyard. It can develop offensive odors and even be harmful to your Koi fish.

Stagnant water is never good, whether its a body of water in the wilderness or your backyard. A pond pump gets that water moving again and forces it through your filter. The filtration system removes the debris and harmful build up of ammonia that develops from regular feedings and the waste from your Koi fish in Phoenix.

Seven Types of Pond Pumps

Depending on the size and design of your Koi fish pond you will need one of the seven pond pump designs. To get the most out of your pond make sure you get the right kind that will be able to keep up with the demand of your pond. This can be calculated by the gallons of water, and the load of fish. More densely populated Koi fish ponds benefit from greater water filtration and higher gallons per hour from the pond pump. Talk to your local Phoenix Koi fish pond expert to help with the exact size of pond pump you’ll need for your pond.

Submersible Pond Pumps

Like the name suggests a submersible pond pump is submerged in the pond water. They are naturally the easiest to install because they are simply hooked up to the waterfall or directly to a submersible filter. Once you’ve got it hooked up to one of those two things, and it’s in the water you just plug it in and you’re off to the races. The gallons per hour can vary drastically. The range of gallons per hour for these pumps can range anywhere from 50 gallons per hour to 50,000 gallons per hour.

For most backyard Koi fish ponds the pump need not be so extreme. Generally a submersible pond pump that helps filter 350 to 4,000 gallons per hour is enough. This is a simple way for you to keep your Phoenix Koi fish pond healthy and clean.

External Pond Pumps

For larger ponds external pond pumps are a must for your Koi fish. The first consideration is the effective filtration of the water for the health of the fish. The second benefit of a external pond pump is your pocket book. Submersible pumps tend to take more amps to run and actually cost you more electricity per month. In fact anything drawing over 10 amps will end up costing you a significant amount of money per month, so be wary when you are installing something that runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Statuary Pumps

For small fountains, this is the ideal pump. It has a low head pressure, which means that water forced out will not rise more than 3 feet high. The statuary pump is mostly used for decorative purposes rather than to aerate the water inside the pond.

Debris Handling Pumps

Debris pumps are classified under the submersible category. The debris handling pump’s function is to rid the pond clear of debris and other materials, while also supplying water to any ornament inside the pond. As the inlet is larger than others, it is rare that the pump will be clogged by solid materials or other debris.

Solar Powered Pumps

In relation to more conventional pumps, solar powered pumps can be both submersible and external. One of the main differences from your typical pond pumps, as the name implies, is that they use the sun to power them. Thus they are environmentally friendly and safe to operate, as no electricity is involved. The one drawback with this type of pump is that it is limited to warm and sunny climates and if not supplied with a batter back, cannot operate on cloudy or rainy days.

Magnetic Drive Pumps

Magnetic drive pumps are pumps that are highly energy efficient. To circulate the pond’s water, the impeller uses electromagnetism, forcing the ponds water out. This type of pump is generally used for a waterfall effect or for pond ornaments and decorations.

Fountain Pumps

Purchase of these pump come as a set, which will contain the pump, the filter and the fountain itself. It is best to run fountain pumps for ornamental and display purposes only. Although they are long-lasting and very dependable, these pumps will wear out on occasion.

Phoenix Koi Pond Pumps

If you already have a Koi pond or you are considering installing a Koi pond and would like some help with the design and budgeting considerations, talk to the Phoenix Koi pond experts in Peoria, AZ.

The Backyard Pond – 623-878-6695