CKP Fundamentals

Established 1995

construction fundamentals

Clarke Koi Ponds adopts an educated approach to pond construction. With Science, Logic and Nature to guide us, we can explain to you why you need a bottom drain while many suggest you do not. Why you need to invest in balanced approach to pond design instead of the next hyped piece of equipment new to the pond scene

The bottom line is, you must wade through the marketing and inexperienced opinion to reach the real facts. Only then will your expectation level, pond design and budget intersect at the desired level

We will help you get educated "before" you build, instead of learning hard lessons "after" the build

See More of this pond

Classic Pond Rebuild
The flash movie left illustrate a dramatic aesthetic difference in this particular pond rebuild

But the largest improvements lie in what you don't see - that is the pond plumbing. A bottom drain and external 2 chamber filter system were installed during the rebuilding process

The pond was also excavated slightly larger and made 1.5 feet deeper. The end result is better water quality and clarity, more volume, less maintenance and much happier Koi

See more of this rebuild here

Four Requirements to build a Great Pond
1) You Need to Know what to do ! This comes from hands on experience and a good technical knowledge of pond construction. Additionally, attending conventions, reading, seeing a lot of ponds and talking to fellow enthusiasts are requirements. Getting the most out of the site and the budget is key

2) How to do it ! Vastly different from knowing what to do, knowing the step by step process is what really matters. Understanding the physics and the proper materials to use to get the job done properly is paramount. This is not the time for experimentation and small design details will add up significantly by the end of the build

3) Getting it Done ! Having the physical strength and dexterity, the proper tools and equipment and the commitment to get the job done at a fair price and in a timely manner are keys. Those who have built even a small pond can attest to the time commitment required and the physical and mental challenges. Pond building is difficult and extracts a physical toll as power equipment can't do it all. Real pond builders have biceps, not pot bellies !

4) Talent - - At the builds completion, the pond should look great. The stone work, plantings and overall impression should be visually attractive. The filter system and equipment chosen should all work in concert to maintain clear and healthy water with a realistic maintenance regime. Making it all translate into a finished product which is technically sound and aesthetically pleasing is part of the skill and savvy required

Is my Pond well constructed?
Here are some clues that will tell you that your pond has been IMPROPERLY constructed

The pump and/or filter are located within the pond itself
There is no bottom drain
There is no external filtration system
Your water is dirty a lot of the time
You can see the bare liner around the waterline
Fish get sick or die with regularity
You have to do a lot of maintenance to keep the pond clean
There is rock placed throughout the ponds bottom

Construction Pricing Guide
If you would like to contract Clarke Koi to construct your pond, you should book a consultation. You will receive our 22 page pond pricing guide and Randall will visit your site to discuss the project in depth

The Pricing Guide goes over what's involved in building a pond, with sample pond sizes and prices. It is not a "how to build a pond guide" but rather a breakdown of the construction process and the costs involved

For more info on the construction process and pricing, please see the pricing page

The Most Common Pitfalls

Building the pond too small and/or too shallow
Not allowing space for and/or not installing a proper filter
Not installing a bottom drain
Impulse buying, poor planning and rushing the job
Overestimating your abilities and not enlisted the help of those with experience building ponds
Trying to build a good pond with little or no money invested
Buying expensive koi when neither you nor your pond are ready
Under estimating the amount of time & money required to build a proper pond
Not using the proper pond building techniques
Hiring someone who has a novice level of knowledge (ie. nurseries)

construction keys

Concrete Collar - a ring of rebar reinforced concrete sets the level for the pond. It also defines the site during excavation, stops side wall crumbling and provides a stable and level base for the stone work

Pads and footings should also be poured for waterfalls and larger stone - these should be tied into the collar

Read moe about concrete collarS

Pond Depth - Regardless of climate, a good pond will have a deep section of at least 5 feet, 7' preferred. This provides a safe haven for the fish to retreat too in case of danger

Fish kept in shallow ponds experience a baseline level of stress because they do not feel safe. A deep pond also provides a stable environment without rapidly fluctuating temperatures and water quality

Bottom Drain(s) - with a properly dug shell, the bottom drain will remove all debris from the ponds bottom out to the external filter

The bottom drain is essentially a 24/7 vacuum, constantly removing detritus from your pond

Read more about jets

Pumps - Hi-efficiency, non-submersible pumps are utilized most of the time. They consume less hydro and last longer than submersible pumps. They are more expensive initially but provide much better value over time

How to Install a pump

Physics - understanding how the whole system will work in concert, in the most efficient manner is paramount

I have seen many jobs were water is being pumped in excess of 30 feet (to the head of a stream for example) instead of being gravity fed to a drum and pumped only a short distance

Finishing Touches - the all important aesthetics means that no liner, wires, piping or anything manmade is visible. This requires more time than you think and a trick or two

View our Portfolio

Helpful advice with your pond build
Selecting your Builder
Now that ponds are becoming more popular there are many startups trying to capitalize on the trend. They often claim "expert" status on their websites and in their literature. Of course landscape companies and garden centres are now "watergarden specialists" but unfortunatley most have little knowledge of what is really required to be successful. The bottom line is, there is simply no substitute for years of hands on experience and study

Will poorly designed ponds work at all ?
Poorly constructed ponds will usually function but in the final analysis, contain a long list of "should haves" which include a lack of filtration, shallow depth and poor pond plumbing. I won't even mention excessive maintenance, which is a huge complaint from many I speak with. Be prepared for excessive maintenance, water quality issues, predation problems and fish health conerns if your pond is improperly designed

Consider the Source - Who do you listen to ?
Let's face it, as great as the web is, it can be a source of confusion. People read conflicting viewpoints and become bewildered at the abundance of choices. They arrive at our store confused about what to invest their hard earned money in. The word "expert" is over used. Someone who knows more than you is not necessarily an "expert". Unfortunately it takes some knowledge and guile to differentiate the players from the posers in any industry and there are casualties along the way - unfortunately we see them all the time

The word "expert" shouldn't be plastered all over a website ! One illustrates their expertise with an extensive picture portfolio, educational credentials and happy clients. Unfortunately in our market in Toronto, I know of competitors who will tell you how to build a pond but the problem is they don't leave their stores and as a result, don't have any real experience. Reading and regurgitating is easy and saying something and doing it are entirely different. The key is to listen carefully, and ask the right questions. I get in conversations with clients all the time and discover they are told the wrong information

Warning Signs Regarding Your Builder

Keys to own a high quality pond

Your pond will be built in just a few days
Your pond will be less than 5 feet deep
Rocks in the bottom of the pond are your filter
Your builder can start the job tomorrow
Your builder suggests you don't require a bottom drain
You are getting very little equipment for the money
The builder recommends box or small canister filters
Your builder can't answer all your questions
Your builder doesn't have their own pond

Educate yourself in the hobby so you can make smart choices
Be patient and take your time - question and plan
Consider the source - is the person giving you advice built good ponds?
Be involved in the project and avoid assumptions
Build as big as budget and yard will afford
Be prepared to spend some money although great ponds aren't much more costly than poor ones
Be able to differentiate between opinion and fact
Understand that "pond construction is a process"
Deal with hobbyists if you can, avoid capitalists

Why are poor ponds being built ?
Unfortunately there is a lack of real knowledge about pond construction. Pond building requires a rare blend of technical savvy, physical strength and creative flare and few possess all of these traits. In my opinion the knowledge one requires is not obtained in less than a decade of first hand experience and study because there are too many concepts that need to be grasped. I visit many websites which say they build ponds, yet there are no pictures of any work and the copy does not attest to real construction knowledge

Another reason for poorly designed ponds is that the entire process of proper pond construction is expensive. When you're trying to sell a pond to someone, nobody wants to hear the word "expensive". So, many pond builders placate to make the sale. "You pay for what you get" is usually true. No one can do top notch work using quality components for a discount price. That being said, I'm shocked to hear what some have paid for a rudimentary pond. I tell everyone who comes into the shop that this is an expensive hobby - this is important to realize from the start

Hey I have a cheap quote
A cheap price means 2 things. The first, your builder is inexperienced and doesn't realize the extent of the work required. It is safe to say your pond will be lacking if the person building it is inexperienced. Second, the builder plans to cut corners and use fewer/cheaper components. This will be the only way the builder can make any money and the performance and longevity of your pond will suffer. The bottom line is, you need to understand the concept of value. Good people are busy. If you phone a builder and they show up the next day to start, you will likely be in for trouble

As mentioned, good ponds will be costly. But an initially low cost pond without the proper design and complement of equipment will ultimately be more expensive as you continually try to keep it clean, add water treatments and replace fish. I won't even mention the rebuilding costs which is where the whole mess is often heading. The expense of your time can be significant with a poorly constructed pond and in the end, it has cost you a lot more

Pond design is the foundation of the hobby - without a properly constructed pond you will not be successful

But my fish are doing great!
Have you tested your nitrite? Oxygen levels? Have any of your fish died? Are your koi growing 6 inches a year or more? Without quantitative testing and comparison, "great" becomes a subjective term. Koi are incredibly hardy and it's worth noting that the gradient between a fish surviving and thriving is vast and doing the wrong thing but getting the right results won't last forever

Sadly, there is a glut of fundamentally flawed product on the market. Opinions and techniques vary, but science and logic do not. I become dubious when everything is about hype, with little or no real explanation as to why a certain product is the best. Educate yourself, see other ponds and take your time so that you can make the right choices. It is key to know what to ask your builder in order to ascertain whether they know their subject or not. Real knowledge is not attained from reading a product label or frequenting online forums (although forums do help). Another key point is even if one has great knowledge, it doesn't mean it will translate on the construction site - saying is not doing. It is very frustrating for myself to visit a pond, find out what the client paid and discover how poorly the job was done - I feel bad for the fish and the client

Our Approach
Clarke Koi's philosophy is clear. Our number #1 mandate is to help you decide what products will work best in your situation. We need to consider your setup, fish load, budget and maintenance expectations to mutually arrive at decisions you will be happy with. Our recommendations are not based on what is overstocked at our shop. Although we keep mentioning the word expensive, you can still have a great base pond at a reasonable price. You invest in what you have to in the beginning and components can be added later if desired. Again, its about value and setting things up to allow for this expansion at a later date. With our vast experience, honest approach and track record, we should be on your short list of companies to deal with

Last Modified : April 18, 2008
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