If you have sufficient yard space, a fish pond is one of the most interesting and rewarding additions you can make to your home. Although it requires a significant amount of work to establish and maintain, a fish pond will provide years of enjoyment, as well as adding beauty and value to your home.

There are several variables you will need to consider. First of all, what kind of fish will you be raising? Goldfish are small in size and do not need much room; koi, on the other hand, are larger fish and require more space for swimming around. And if you mix fish, make sure they can cohabitate! Koi belong to the goldfish family and generally can cohabitate with goldfish, but if the goldfish are very small, the koi may eat them. Check with your dealer.

Also, think about the location of your fish pond. Ideally, the pond should be visible from your house -- for instance, a living room window, where you and your guests can enjoy the view year-round. However, if your garden is particularly large, it may be more important to locate the pond where it is visible from certain locations in your garden. Think about your overall garden layout. Also, you will have to consider how much shade will cover your pond, for how long throughout the day. If your pond is covered by perpetual shade, the water temperature will be much colder, which will affect your selection of both fish and plants. In most situations, a pond should get 4-5 hours of sunlight each day.

Larger ponds are actually easier to maintain than smaller ponds. With a large volume of water, it is easier to maintain a stable water temperature and water level. It is also easier to maintain a balanced pond ecosystem, and to control the growth of algae.

The depth of your pond is another important factor. If you live in a cold climate, you need to consider how deeply your pond will freeze in the winter and ensure that your fish have adequate space under the ice for swimming. If you have small fish such as goldfish, a depth of three feet is usually sufficient for most climates. If you have koi, however, three feet is a minimum depth in any climate (four-five feet would be preferable); koi are large, and need room for swimming.

Think about adding a few levels to your pond: shallower around the banks, and deeper in the middle. The shallower areas can act as shelves for planting vegetation. Around the very edge, you can have a marshy area.

Once your pond is dug, you will most likely want to line the pond. There are various types of pond liners available; flexible liners, made of PVC or butyl rubber, are most adaptable and can be used for ponds of any shape. As you dig your pond, simply line it with the flexible liner and trim the liner to size. Put a layer of sand beneath the liner, to protect it from any sharp stones in the soil that might puncture the liner. It is also possible to purchase pre-formed liners made of sturdier materials; although these will last longer than flexible liners, they also require that you dig your pond precisely to fit the liner.

You will need to populate your pond with aquatic plants. First, make sure that you purchase plants that your fish won’t eat. Goldfish are harmless to most aquatic plants, but koi do tend to eat several varieties of plants. Discuss this with your dealer, who should have recommendations for you. The plants that you select should help keep the pond water fresh and consume nutrients in the water that would otherwise contribute to the growth of algae.

You should also place some sort of border around the edge of your pond -- attractive stones, for instance. This border will not only enhance your pond’s appeal, but help prevent dirt and debris from falling into your pond. If you use stones, they will also help keep your liner in place. You don’t want your pond to be contaminated with dirt or even run-off water from your yard, as such run-off can contain fertilizers, chemicals, and other detrimental substances. A build-up of fertilizer in your pond will be hazardous to your fish, and will also encourage the growth of algae.

A lined pond will require a filtration device; there are a variety on the market, and you will need to purchase a unit that has sufficient capacity to accommodate the volume of water in your pond. The more frequently your pond water circulates through the filter, the cleaner it will be. Depending on your vegetation and fish, you may also wish to add dechlorinator on a regular basis; this solution neutralizes toxic pollutants without harming your fish or plant life. And your aquatic plants themselves act as natural cleansers. Finally, be sure to skim leaves and other debris off the surface of your pond as necessary. If your pond is adjacent to mature trees, skimming leaves may be a daily chore during autumn!

Setting up a fish pond involves some work, both initially and on an ongoing basis, but the rewards are great.