Sunday, April 26, 2009

Koi Pond Construction - Should You Do it Yourself?

A project to construct a Koi pond is both a big project and one of the most enjoyable parts of being a Koi owner. Your Koi pond should be your own work of art and at the same time the perfect home for your fish. Plan carefully ahead of time.

If you're good at construction projects like this, you can choose to do it yourself. If you do, you'll want think about using a pond kit. A good kit will provide all the basic components and get you started quicker. But make no mistake about it, there are several advantages and disadvantages you should think about before you jump into doing the project yourself.

Getting professional help with the project will certainly cost you more but may save you a lot of headaches in the end. Doing it yourself and using a pond kit can be cheaper but if you install it incorrectly, you will probably spend more in the end getting your mistakes corrected.

Doing it yourself will certainly let you build your Koi pond the way you want it. It will give you something to brag about and show off to your family and friends. All in all it can be quite enjoyable.

There are some other disadvantages to doing the work yourself. If you do use a pond kit, you may find some limitations that you don't like. You may want to make adjustments in the size or other design aspects that the pond kit just won't easily accommodate. Trying to make these changes fit can easily get you into trouble.

When you planned your Koi pond the design was just what you wanted and had that unique look - just perfect for your garden. Once into the project you may find the need for special tools or equipment. Since you are not a professional the end result may not have that "professional" look or worse yet may have some hidden construction problems that will haunt you over time.

Hiring a professional contractor may not be the cheapest initially but in the end may be the best way to get your dream Koi pond. Remember, you are making a long term investment in your pond, so that added cost may easily pay off in the long run. Your Koi will happy as well in their new home.

One thing to remember if you decide to use a professional contract is that the Koi pond is a dynamic ecosystem. There are many parts that have to work together properly. Make sure your contractor knows what he is doing. Be wary of seemingly low bids. Spending a little more may save you much added expense in the future not to mention the disappointment. Also remember that it is a permanent structure and not easily modified. My advice is to make it as large as you can afford to start with. Put in all the design elements you can financially handle. It will pay off in added enjoyment for years.

John Stoner is a long time koi enthusiast. For more information on Koi pond construction, visit http://www.koifishenthusiast.com.

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