The Ins and Outs of Indoor Koi Ponds
Wanting a koi pond but not sure where to place it? Many koi owners are choosing to place their ponds indoors. These smaller ponds can be more affordable and be a smart option for cold-climate areas. Indoor koi ponds can be a beautiful addition to any home or business if done right.
While outdoor ponds may have many perks, such as offering more room and a natural setting for your fish, indoor koi ponds are always an option too. For koi owners in temperamental climates, indoor ponds offer peace of mind, especially for long winters. They can also save a significant amount of money in utilities throughout those expensive colder months.
Indoor koi ponds can be a beautiful addition to any home or business.
IN-HOME PONDS
Because koi fish need a lot of room to swim and grow, you’ll want to build your indoor pond as big as possible. Realistically, many indoor ponds are smaller than outdoor ponds. This is fine as long as you don’t overcrowd it with too many koi. Overcrowding can stress out a koi fish and make water maintenance much trickier.
Because indoor ponds tend to be smaller, it is all the more crucial to have water levels correct. Otherwise, the strong concentration could make your koi sick or could even be fatal. Buy a high quality water pump and filter to help keep water levels safe. The water pump should be able to pump the entire pond’s water through the filter in two hours.
This business created their koi pond as a centerpiece of the building.
The smaller size of indoor ponds also affects the water and gas exchange. Because koi fish need oxygen in the water, install an air pump so they don’t need to rise to the surface to breathe oxygen. You’ll also want to install a drain in the pond. If this is not a good option for you, you can also buy an inexpensive add-on bottom drain to place in the bottom of the pond.
A pond setting will no doubt create some humidity in your home. This can be a welcomed addition to those who suffer from cold and dry winter climates. If the added humidity is not for you, installing a fan to circulate the humidity throughout the house is an easy fix. You may also want to try a dehumidifier.
Natural lighting benefits both koi and pond plants in indoor ponds.
You’ll also want to take lighting into consideration for your indoor pond. Koi fish do better in natural lighting; it also brings out their beautiful colorings. Many koi owners who take the indoor pond route install picture windows or other means of allowing natural light into the home. If this is not possible, consider installing incandescent lighting with UVA and UVB bulbs. These will also help any pond plants to grow.
You’ll also want to keep a close eye on your indoor pond for leaks. Leaks inside a home can cause a lot of damage, so it’s best to always catch them early! Look for pooling water on the floor by the pond or any other odd moisture. Inexpensive leak detectors can provide some peace of mind once installed.
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