7/29/2019 Koi Ponds - Homes section
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HOMES Saturday, August 27, 2011 Richmond Times-Dispatch
Koi fsh create an e ect that is peace ul, picturesque and
brimming with positive energy. Itsno wonder that homeowners
arebringing these whimsical habitatsinto their own backyards.
Theres nothing more soothing than sitting outside next to the
koipond. And, coming home rom
work at the end o the day, its likeseeing your dog all the fsh
comeup to greet you, mused Kathy LaMoreux, a Chesterfeld
resident.
By Joanna Ernst/ Homes Writer
I you are a native or long-time Richmond resident, youveprobably
crossed the stepping stone path across Maymonts Japanese garden.
Then you are amiliar rsthand with thesuper big, vibrantly-colored
swimmers. Today, homeownerscan bring this dynamic dimension to the
home andtrans orm the yard space into an aesthetic masterpiece
Its a great eature or the backyard. Its relatively easy to
abricate it. With a close proximity to the outdoor deck,
people can hear the water. The color ul koi are a
majorattraction and a nice ocal point in the landscape, saidFred
Nelson, the general manager at Colesville Nursery in Ashland.
The pond has to have enough depth to sustainhibernating koi in
the winter months, advised ShawnPeck, the sales manager at
Stockners Nursery, who has builtseveral ponds or clients. In our
region, a 2- eet minimumdepth is necessary. For larger ponds, the
depth can range
rom 5- to 8- eet deep. Create varying depths, so the koihave a
shallow place to eat as well as ample swimming spaceand protection
rom predators in a deeper end.
Peck also emphasized that a suitable spot or the pond willbe
shaded and away rom alling leaves. There will be morealgae in ull
sun, so ltered sunshine is best, he said.
We have a pump in the main pond that pumps the waterinto a pond
that is a third o its size at 18-inches deep. Thesmaller area is
lled with gravel and rooted water plants, so when the water
circulates through the gravel and roots, it iscleaned and
oxygenated be ore it returns to the main pondas clear water,
described Nelson.
For winter months, Peck pointed out that a hole in theice or a
foating heater helps to keep the water moving toreplenish oxygen
levels. Homeowners can master the waterchemistry or a properly-puri
ed pond system with simple water-testing kits.
I was de nitely a novice in the beginning, con dedLaMoreux, But
once you learn the whole key to the pond
Spellbound at Short Pump Town Center. Photo byJoanna ernst
Pond breathes li e into backyard.Photos above and right,
Courtesy Kathy LaMoreux
inside & OUt
KOi
7/29/2019 Koi Ponds - Homes section
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Richmond Times-Dispatch Saturday, August 27, 2011 HOMES
testing the water and managing the chemicals then its easy.
Ihave not lost a sh yet, even in the winter when the ice was an
inch-thick a ter all those snowstorms. Just learn to balance the
water, andthen everything just fies.
Be ore the digging begins,consult the builder to ensure thatno
major electrical or plumbing lines will be disturbed. Also,
goshopping or the proper koi pondliner, a particularly important
pieceo pond equipment. The linerprevents pond water rom leaking
into the surrounding soil or overallsturdiness.
Concrete, berglass, rigid plasticand fexible liners are all
viableoptions. Concrete will provide thelongest-lasting liner and
is bestsuited or permanent ponds but issteepest in price.
Fiberglass has anaverage li espan o 50 years, can beeasily
installed and also expands
or ice without cracking. But theberglass does not bear the
same
traditional look as classic concrete.
The cheapest option, a rigidpond liner, has a natural look
andresists damage rom rocks and sharproots; the biggest drawback is
itschallenging installation. Flexibleliners, on the other hand, are
highly popular, last a minimum o 20 yearsand are a cost-e ective
alternativeto a concrete liner. Installationis also made simple
because o the materials malleability. The
choice o liner depends on thehomeowners aesthetic pre erenceand
price point.
I pre er the fexible liner orresidential applications,
especially since the concrete can crack,
commented Peck. With thepopular plastic lining, avoid
sharpcorners to prevent line breakage. Always know the actual
volume o the pond, as these measurements will determine how much
productto use when treating the water orproper pH levels.
The pH level is importantor the bene t o the sh and
plants, explained Peck. The pHdetermines the balance or the
leastmaintenance and greatest success,so test the water
periodically.
A variety o brands on themarket make the ltration
processrelatively inexpensive and easy toinstall. A mechanical lter
will helphomeowners maintain clean waterand happy sh. Skimmer
lterscirculate the water at the sur ace o the water and pump it
through anarti cial stream or water all be oredepositing it back
into the water. A bottom drain is another essentialconsideration or
the water fow.
Ask a pet store pro essional aboutthe pumps, lters and koi
pondsupplies necessary to stabilize theenvironment be ore adding
any
sh. Peck suggested a pre-madekit that includes all the basics
orhomeowners to getting started.
The important thing is a balanced ltration system,explained
Nelson. Now that ourpond is balanced, theres nothing to it. It
becomes low-maintenance. Weve had our airly large koi orthe past 15
years.
Nelson added that, whilehomeowners can install the
pondthemselves, a specialized landscapermakes the process that
mucheasier, just like Kathy did at herChester eld home. The
backyard was barren looking, and its justamazing how it looks now,
sherefected.
Water alls and color ul koi are eatured in a
Richmondbackyard.Photo Courtesy gLynn brannan
Close-ups o the Colesville Nursery pond in Ashland. Photos by
darL biCKeL
GAIL YOSS(804) [email protected]
Area 54
Bayhill Pointe12630 Bu aloNickelDrive
O ering at $224,900 4 bed/2.5bath, garage on 1.3 ac of
privacy.Close to schools, comm pool. Eat-inkitchen,walkout Dbl
deck. Buyers to re-ceive $1500 carpet allowance,1-yr HomeWarranty.
Call to view. MLS# 1109617
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