I only worry about HUMAN preds!! As we HAD to rebuild it in the Back yard just last month, beacause of a 9 yr old that LOVED to FISH in my pond in the 'front'!! I came home one day from work and found a ball of broken fishing line next to my pond. I grabbed it screaming pretty much, as I knew what happened! I picked it up, it was tight, leading into my pond. I reached in, following the line, to find a 3.5" hook, and 2 rubber worms! A real fisherman!! Dip nets and all!! They killed one of my butterfly Koi, 14" long
Took my baby home in a box, then threw her in the hot tub.
It took me 4 hrs of walking my whole neighborhood, speaking to every parent, no children, to find HER!!! Surprised to find a Girl did this?? Well I'm not, now that I know how she is. The night I found her, I told her Daddy that I will be putting up a Security camera right on my pond, and If I catch her on my property again, I will press charges. Well she keeps her distance, on the sidewalk, but just whimpering to go fishing agian!
I couldn't take the worry anymore, so I talked my husband into moving it to the back yard, fenced in, and 3 dogs at all times.
And, with the Big Birds, yes I've been cleaned out before, when they were small. But the fish grew up, and I got smart! I put loads of floating plants in there, so they have coverage! You are supposed to have about 70% surface coverage, because of algae and such, but I had about 90% coverage!
And they sell things called Koi Kastle's. They are large Tunnels, that sit on the bottom so that the fish have a safe haven if needed.
The builders also say to make it deep enough so that when they step in, their under water! Can't stand in your pond, won't get those feathers wet!! So, in my mind, no less than 3' deep! And no shallow ledges for plants!!
After a bird comes, and can't ever get anything, they stop trying! At least mine did! The got too frustraded, as my fish got smart after all the yrs! Now they're big boys and girls, and nothing can touch them!
Only me
As for work, NO WAY! Worst is digging a hole!! Getting rid of the dirt!! My new pond is much bigger, well Deeper! The front was only 2' deep. The New(back)pond is 4' deep, So my babies are sooooo very happy to have so much more room to swim!! But we were able to take dirt from the back to and fill in the front pond! Justs had to get rid of the left over! Ask your friends and nieghbors if they want some fill dirt. Unless you can spread it out on your own property!
If your serious about building, I'll send you pics of mine from start to finish to give an idea of what we did
My babies are so very happy! And the plants are just now growing up, so coverage is coming, but I don't have any birds in my back yard with 3 dogs watching!
I told my husband that I have to go snorkling this weekend, to put some Lotus in there, and some more lilies that I've been babying in the Bog area. That's the part to the left with all the plants in it. It's only about 10-12", for plants only. I seriously bought a snorkel for my pond! Cause being 4' deep, my arms are that long to reach the bottom for my planters!
So, there you have it. The good and the bad
But the Good TOTALLY out way any bad!!!
One suggestion, don't ever put one where children have access. Keep it always fenced. Don't want anyone to fall in, and the worst thing to happen
Nor any Fishing going on!
Thanks
Quote:
Originally Posted by susiep
They are so cute! Do you worry about predators getting them? We have a lot of Osprey here. I would like to have a koi pond. Is it a lot of work?
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My other babies, My Koi
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Girl, you are all over the place! 
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