Koi Pond Waterfalls

Koi ponds bring a sense of ease and tranquility to any backyard they grace. Like any body of water, koi ponds can provide a restorative sanctuary to visit and reflect. Having a getaway as small as a koi pond can provide a multitude of health benefits and ease a stressed mind. For the ultimate backyard experience, consider adding a koi pond waterfall. This addition can be simple or elaborate – either way, the benefits for both your pond and yourself are the same.

Waterfalls have added benefits to not only your pond, but to yourself as well.

The Benefits of Running Water

There’s a reason we spend our vacations flocking to the coasts and our summer days on the beach. People crowd bodies of water because we love to be around it in any way, shape, or form. Research shows that the negative ions released from waterfalls have positive effects on living things, such as decreased drowsiness and a sense of tranquility. Plus, the sounds of running water can block out noisy traffic or neighbors and are therapeutic on the ear.

But waterfalls can be a welcome addition for your koi too. Acting as a natural form of aeration, the flow of the waterfall can help distribute oxygen throughout the pond. Though they are an aquatic pet, koi need oxygen to live. Oxygen enters the pond through the surface water, where it dissolves. However, oxygen does not always distribute evenly. It may linger at the top of the pond, leaving the lower depths and corners under-oxygenated.

Waterfalls reduce the risk of disease in koi and help fight off algae.

With the addition of a waterfall, koi keepers worry not about the levels of oxygen entering the water. Unlike most elements of pond water, there can never be too much oxygen in the water. In fact, more oxygen helps to reduce anaerobic bacteria and will lessen the chances of your koi falling ill.

Adding a waterfall may be a good idea if you are looking to remodel your backyard landscaping. A waterfall, in addition to oxygenating pond plants, can help circulate more oxygen throughout the pond. You may consider adding a waterfall if your pond is a frequent victim of algae – the additional oxygen helps fight off that fuzzy green layer.

Waterfalls act as a natural form of aeration in the pond.

While the benefits of koi pond waterfalls are plentiful, using a waterfall as a main source of aeration in a pond with a large koi population may not be enough. Consider adding air stones or pumps to meet a healthy level of oxygen. Regularly test pond waters with an electric meter to make sure your oxygen needs are being met.

Have you added a waterfall to your koi pond? Send us a picture to share via the contact form!