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Freshwater Aquarium
Backyard Koi Pond
Outdoor pond dedicated to koi (Cyprinus carpio) - large ornamental carp bred for centuries in Japan.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Tank Size: 500g+ Recommended: 2000g Budget: $2,000-$50,000 Setup Time: 30 days
📖 Overview
A backyard koi pond is a lifetime commitment - koi routinely live 30-70 years and can grow past 36 inches. Ponds need volume (500+ gallons minimum, 2000+ recommended), depth (4+ ft to survive winter), and industrial-grade filtration. The reward is a living Japanese garden with fish that recognise their keeper, come to be hand-fed, and grow into show-quality specimens worth thousands.
💧 Essential Parameters
Temperature: 55-75 F (tolerates 35-90). pH: 7.0-8.4. GH: 6-15 dGH. Ammonia/nitrite: 0.
⚙️ Key Equipment
Bottom drain + external pump (essential). Bead filter or trickle filter (large bio-media). UV sterilizer. Aeration (winter pond survival). Pond skimmer. Autofeeder (optional).