How Deep Garden Pond To Keep Gold Fish Ohil

Jackie shares her around-the-house ideas that anyone can copy and enjoy for their very own!

May I help you to add beauty and tranquility to your yard? This is a DIY that can be fun and add value to your property. Having a goldfish pond is a pretty big project with a good bit of work and maintenance, so you need to weigh the pros and cons and work out all the planning before you decide. Is it worth the effort? Only you can say.

I say it sure is and here I show and tell you why.

Goldfish/koi pond. I loved the idea of a pond on an incline with so much room to add varied plants up, down and around the whole pond.

Jackie Lynnley, Hubpages.com

Beauty and Tranquility

Having a simple water feature in your yard adds such tranquility, but add goldfish to that and stand back in awe! The beauty you can create is only limited by your imagination!

The gurgling water, rocks, flowers, and nightlight (solar is preferable I think) just set off the beautiful fish that are always glad to see you and your guests.

A pond is so much easier than a tank. The weather can freeze and snow can cover their pond and they will be just fine!

Beauty can abound in the new home you found.

Pixabay

Planning Your Pond

To start, remember that ponds in cooler temperatures need to include areas where the water is at least two feet deep so the pond will not freeze up. The fish will survive extremely cold temperatures but they swim to the bottom in winter where temperatures are much warmer so do be sure you allow for that in your plans.
Find the perfect location. You may want to view the pond from your home through a window or from your porch.
Consider how much sun your pond will get. It should get sun for several hours or half the day. Ponds in warmer climates may benefit from shade spots to provide cooler cover for your goldfish in the summer heat.
Determine the size you want. Size and depth should be proportionate to the number, size, and type of goldfish you will have (and vice-versa).
Smaller ponds (less than 4 feet in diameter) are easy to build, but get dirty really fast and may not provide enough room or cover for your goldfish. They also may become overgrown with plants.
Decide the shape or form of your pond. Using a length of rope or string, outline the shape on the ground to help you see how the pond will fit into your landscape.
If you have acreage on a hillside or slight dip, it may be perfect for a stream (as shown in the photos). It is really simple to cut into the ground and place rocks for the water to flow over. You can hide all the hose and pump works well above the actual pond.
Do you want just goldfish and/or koi? More on this below.

Another example of the flower power you can add to your pond.

Jackie Lynnley, Hubpages.com

Choosing Your Fish

Always go to a local pet or fish store to buy your fish rather than a big box store. The fish store owner has the expertise and knows how to medicate them if they arrive sick, and many goldfish do. They are shipped hundreds to a box and sometimes the shipping times are longer than is good for the fish. If they arrive unwell, they need to stay in the store and be housed in a quarantined and medicated tank. Usually, the new fish stay in the store four to seven days before they are sold. If you shop at a reputable store, you know you are getting a healthy fish. The big box stores do not do quarantine and medicate, so you may be buying sick fish.
Goldfish like cool water below 75°F. They can overwinter well beneath ice as long as your pond does not freeze solid.
Goldfish eat and poop a lot, so they make a mess. Do not overcrowd your pond. I suggest one linear foot of fish per 25 square feet of pond surface.
Do not feed your fish! If you keep your population down, your fish will eat your anacharis (plants for freshwater aquariums) but not as fast as it grows. That way, a thorough yearly cleaning will remove all the organic matter those goldfish leave behind, your water will stay clear and your water chemistry will stay balanced. When you feed goldfish, you increase organic matter and throw your balanced pond out of balance and create lots of maintenance that takes up your weekend relaxation time.

How about home to a little turtle?

Pixabay

Creating the Pond: Roll Up Your Sleeves

Dig the pond using your outline. If you plan to include plants (which no doubt you will want to do), make places for them as you dig. I did mine on a bank, so I had sort of stair step tables.
Use a level at the top edge of the pond using a 2x4 and carpenter's level. Put the 2x4 across the pond and place the level on top of it. If needed, alter the soil level until your level is square. Repeat this every 12 inches of the pond's length.
Get your pond prepared for the liner making sure the inside of the pond is free of debris, rocks, and roots and such that may tear your liner. Add sand to help smooth out the soil and protect the liner from damage.
Next, place the liner in. Be sure you leave an extra foot of the liner extending out all around. Use just one sheet of material so there won't be leaks.
You are all set now to fill your pond with water. As you do so, work out any wrinkles, although small ones will flatten with water pressure. If you use tap water, use a dechlorinator to kill chlorine in the tap water.
Weigh the liner down all around the outer edge to keep it in place with rocks, gravel, or the material of your choice.
Make a dugout to lay your soft hose that connects the pond filter and skimmer. Filtration tackle helps lower the care for your pond by trapping leaves and debris to help keep the water clean and clear.
Now to ensure proper water flow, put your filter and submersible pump just inside the edge of the pond. Connect the tubing and pump to the filter using clamps for a tight fit.
Plug up your pump to your power source to make sure all piping is tight and leak-free. Once it is, put soil over your piping to hide it.
Now let your pump cycle clear the water.

Nature's first green is gold,

Her hardest hue to hold.

Her early leaf's a flower;

But only so an hour.

Then leaf subsides to leaf.

So Eden sank to grief,

So dawn goes down to day.

Nothing gold can stay.

— Robert Frost, "Nothing Gold Can Stay"

How to Keep Herons and Other Predators From Eating Your Pond Fish

One of the most common predators of our fish is the beautiful but dreaded Great Blue Heron. This bird is found in most of the contiguous United States. It can stand over 4 feet tall with a wingspan of nearly 6 feet. They feed primarily on fish and frogs, which is what makes a residential pond worth a visit.

Leaf netting and the ScareCrow can help.

Leaf netting may detract from the beauty of a pond, but so can disappearing fish. If you plan on using leaf netting in the fall anyway, why not just leave it over the pond until spring?
The ScareCrow is a motion-activated sprinkler that attaches to your garden hose. When a heron (or anything else) crosses its path, it emits a burst of water, frightening away the would-be predator. It is a great option for predator control, but winter usage is limited. Since it requires a garden hose, some climates would cause the hose to freeze and break. Cooler climates will require you to put the ScareCrow away in winter months.

These methods should also be effective for other predatory birds such as cranes. However, the ScareCrow may not deter birds that swoop down to feed such as owls and kingfishers.

An artificial fish can look like an easy target to a preying bird. But when the attack is made, the bird is unable to eat the intended meal and may retreat to find a tasty meal elsewhere.

Beauty and Fun for Everyone: Let the Family Help Plan!

Now is the fun part of adding all the pretties! Water lilies are gorgeous floating on the water and give the fish a place to hide.
Once your water is ready, add your goldfish. Remember to let their container sit in the pond water to adjust them to the pond temperature before setting them free. I like to put the plastic bag up against plants instead of out in the wide open for about 20 minutes so they may keep calmer; less afraid in their new adventure! When you set them free, do it gently sideways so they glide in instead of just dumping them in.

Do You Want Goldfish or Koi?

Many say they have a goldfish pond when technically they do not.
Koi and goldfish are a lot alike and will even breed (but the offspring are sterile). It is very hard to tell the difference between these two fish when they are small.
The best way to tell the two apart is by the barbels by the koi's mouth which the goldfish does not have.
Goldfish cost less (the larger the fish, the more they cost). The last I checked, the price was anywhere from $1.50 for a goldfish, a fraction of what koi were selling for.
Koi can live 100 years or more, so if you take good care of them, I would call it a good investment.

Sources

Paradise Restored: Herons, Raccoons, and Other Predators Want Your Fish
Everything Ponds: Goldfish Ponds Add a Splash of Color to Your Water Landscape

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author's knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

Jackie Lynnley (author) from the beautiful south on March 24, 2020:

Yes, it really is a blessing.

Sp Greaney from Ireland on March 23, 2020:

I envy people with gardens. They can use the space to create cool things like this in it.

Jackie Lynnley (author) from the beautiful south on April 29, 2019:

Great Alessandra. They are worth it!

Alessandra246 on April 28, 2019:

thats soooooo cool i'll defintley look into it.

Jackie Lynnley (author) from the beautiful south on August 24, 2017:

Thank you so much, I have no idea why it was moved but I am sure they know more about it than I do. Pleased you like it (guest user) and I hope you do get the opportunity to do this. It is such great fun and a joy to last your lifetime with very little care once you get it done!

Louise Powles from Norfolk, England on August 13, 2017:

I wish I had a garden big enough to have a pond. The pictures you posted are beautiful.

Jackie Lynnley (author) from the beautiful south on October 10, 2016:

Hi Norma, somehow knew this would be you! Great to see you and I hope this will help you. It is so much fun and so rewarding once you are done!

norlawrence on October 10, 2016:

Great article with a lot of good information and beautiful pictures. Going to print out and keep. I am going to landscape back yard with a pond. Your article will come in handy. Thanks

Jackie Lynnley (author) from the beautiful south on September 07, 2016:

Thanks, hope you do find time to do it, know you will love it.

Faith Reaper from southern USA on August 29, 2016:

See there, you just come up with great ideas on the spot! Yes, they would love to cool their feet, but I'm afraid they may want to swim with the Goldfish! LOL

Those are all great ideas.

Jackie Lynnley (author) from the beautiful south on August 29, 2016:

Ah you just have to start doing it and everything just falls into place, that is how everything I do turns out, just sort of let it talk to you as it is being formed. You really would have fun doing one I know! And those kids! You could make it theme like just for them and things they like. Or a stream that offshoots the goldfish pond to make a foot cooler for the kids? Wet rocks they could sit on? So many ideas.

Faith Reaper from southern USA on August 29, 2016:

Jackie, you have a gift for creating beautiful things in the garden and choosing lovely flowers, shrubs and plants. I'm not sure mine would come out as beautiful. I may need your extra coaching lol.

You are a good planner too.

Jackie Lynnley (author) from the beautiful south on August 29, 2016:

It is such fun Theresa, and you just pick a spot and gather some things and go slow at it, just pick up this and that this fall and winter and when you put it together it will be just totally a creation of your own. Digging back in the pond part deep to make good beds for your fish in hot and cold weather is the most important and maybe hard part but it isn't bad and it makes for years of beautiful fish.

You can change it up too every summer or so with different things that catch your fancy and give it a cool or shady look. I have some pots to lay on the ground and look like vines growing out of them I have planned up for next summer!

Faith Reaper on August 29, 2016:

Hi Jackie,

I just love this hub. Your Goldfish pond is stunningly beautiful. I am taking notes and hinting to my husband. I know all my grandchildren would love one!

I forgot this one was moved to the niche site, PetHelpful. I will share as it is a winner in my book.

Jackie Lynnley (author) from the beautiful south on July 31, 2016:

Thanks Norma, it really is beautiful all year round to me. Thanks for stopping by!

Jackie Lynnley (author) from the beautiful south on July 31, 2016:

Thanks Norma, it really is beautiful all year round to me. Thanks for stopping by!

norlawrence on July 31, 2016:

Great article. I have always wanted a fish pond. Your pictures are beautiful.

Jackie Lynnley (author) from the beautiful south on July 30, 2016:

That is sad moonlake, I cannot imagine I would close up something like that and to have the fresh water, I would only build on it. People are just so different, hard for us nature lovers to understand ones who are not!

moonlake from America on July 30, 2016:

We had a pond it was easy to take care of had natural spring water running into it. We sold the house and the people right away closed up the pond. I have no idea why they didn't have small children . Enjoyed your hub. Shared.

Jackie Lynnley on July 27, 2016:

Norma, thank you. The Koi do live longer but for inside I prefer the goldfish.

Norma on July 13, 2016:

Great article. Picture a beautiful. I prefer goldfish to koi. Koi are beautiful but I have better luck with goldfish. Thanks

Jackie Lynnley (author) from the beautiful south on May 31, 2016:

Thank you George, they really are!

George Sommers on May 19, 2016:

Nicely done. Garden ponds are awesome.

Jackie Lynnley (author) from the beautiful south on March 02, 2016:

I appreciate anywhere you put it, thanks so much!

Faith Reaper from southern USA on March 02, 2016:

Yes, the more places your hub shows up the better, I say!

Jackie Lynnley (author) from the beautiful south on March 02, 2016:

Well, thanks so much. I can explain how it is different or the same but have no idea about any of it, really. They said I could contact them with any questions though, so that is good. I think I am too confused to have any questions, lol.

They are probably a very long way off from having it finished.

Faith Reaper from southern USA on March 02, 2016:

Yes it does. I wanted to link it and share it again on Google+ but I noticed down at the bottom there where the HP link used to be is the PetHelpful and not a place to get the link. That's okay as I was still able to share it on HP!

Jackie Lynnley (author) from the beautiful south on March 02, 2016:

Still looks like HP to me! lol

Faith Reaper from southern USA on March 02, 2016:

Yes, hope so. I think it will be just fine. I was curious what site it is linked to and so now I know!

Jackie Lynnley (author) from the beautiful south on March 02, 2016:

Thanks Theresa; I imagine all this is going to take awhile to iron out, don't you? Hopefully it all will be worth it, though.

Faith Reaper from southern USA on March 02, 2016:

Hi Jackie,

I came to see if your wonderful hub is still on HP and it is, but I had to sign in to "PetHelpful" with my user name and password on HP? Anyway so that is good they leave it on HP for people to see and read, but it just takes them to the other site! So, maybe it will get double views now. I will see if I can share it on HP now.

Jackie Lynnley (author) from the beautiful south on November 09, 2015:

Hahaha; Perspycacious! I can use a good laugh now and then; thank you!

Demas W Jasper from Today's America and The World Beyond on November 09, 2015:

I took a goldfish to the local pawn shop, but they told me I couldn't make a goldfish pawned! [Sorry couldn't resist.]

Jackie Lynnley (author) from the beautiful south on November 09, 2015:

Well good news colorful one; the fish love to eat the mosquitoes and larvae. Pleased you like this, thank you so much.

Susie Lehto from Minnesota on November 09, 2015:

Maybe someday I will build a little pond in the yard now that I live in a country again. I would need to put something in the water so mosquitoes didn't use it. When I lived in a city I built an indoor rock pond with a fountain in it because I love the relaxing sound of flowing water.

This is a beautiful and informative hub, Jackie.

Jackie Lynnley (author) from the beautiful south on November 02, 2015:

I know he could ps; and I sure hope he will!

Welcoming the angels! Thank you!

Patricia Scott from North Central Florida on November 02, 2015:

Great photos and with these wonderful directions I am sure my son in law could make me one, too!! We shall see.

Angels are on the way to you this evening ps

Jackie Lynnley (author) from the beautiful south on July 04, 2015:

400 to go!!!

Jackie Lynnley (author) from the beautiful south on July 04, 2015:

Yes; Theresa, they will eat right out of your hand once you make friends with them. Just like puppies! lol Just nibble softly at your fingertips; kids love that and squeal at first. You can place potted plants around them or think up some things of your own to camouflage your fish and the flowers that float on top of the water are great doing that. When the pool is deep enough which it needs be for them to keep warm in winter they will go down to the bottom when they are frightened and if put on a hillside you can hollow out into the hillside 2 or 3 feet where they can swim back into and have less of an open area, which you might prefer and less deep there for your kids to fall in if you think that could be a danger.

They probably have much better videos now on good ways to do this. If I get a chance I will look for them and add.

Faith Reaper from southern USA on July 04, 2015:

Oh, yes, did have an aquarium once and I just can't deal with having to clean something like that again and the time, etc., although I love watching fish, so relaxing. We have a screensaver on our big tv in the living room, that is actually of real aquariums and beautiful fish swimming about. If you did not realize it was a tv, you'd think it a real aquarium. We had someone ask us LOL.

So, that is interesting that you do not have to feed the fish? I am a bit concerned about the predators here and I reread your useful section about that issue. We can't place it in our backyard because our Lab, who loves water, would be in it all the time, plus trying to get the fish.

There is a good spot on one side of our home, but it is open to any predators that may come about. Will have to think on what would be the best defense.

I just know it would provide endless joy for the grands too, and I didn't know you can feed them treats LOL

Have a safe and wonderful Fourth.

Hugs

Jackie Lynnley (author) from the beautiful south on July 04, 2015:

Hi Jo! Great to see you. Hope you will do this and I know you won't be sorry. Thanks for the share!

Jackie Lynnley (author) from the beautiful south on July 04, 2015:

Thanks Theresa, and I can tell you you will love this if you do it. I think we in the southern states with so much more nice weather get triple the benefit from these and they are just great all year round. My only advice is get it good and deep or keep your number of fish down but heck it would look good with just two or three and the great thing is if you ever had an aquarium...you not have to pour all the nasty water out and reclean the tank! I think they are just so beautiful and calming. Kids love them too.

Jo Alexis-Hagues from Lincolnshire, U.K on July 04, 2015:

Hi Jackie, it's good to read this again. I have just the right spot for my pond but the problem is finding the time, mabe I'll get started on it next year. I still love all your beautiful flowers. I hope all is well with you. My best always. Up and sharing.

Faith Reaper from southern USA on July 03, 2015:

Oh, Jackie,

Had to come back and read your wonderful hub here and how to make a gold fish pond. I am going to attempt to talk my hubby into us doing this! I know the grands would be fascinated with it.

I will share again as I know many would be interested.

God bless you, sweet friend.

Happy Fourth and enjoy all that scrumptious food your are cooking.

Jackie Lynnley (author) from the beautiful south on January 08, 2015:

Thank you so much Joyfulcrown; I always wanted one so bad too. Maybe someday you can have one. You would be surprised how little room you need for one. Depth is the main point.

Joyfulcrown on January 08, 2015:

I wish I had room in my backyard for one of these. This is so beautiful!

Jackie Lynnley (author) from the beautiful south on November 29, 2014:

Yes; go fish may be cheaper, but it is not so bad if you know how to cut corners. lol Like if you can locate the rock yourself or use an already well laid place as this was. Once you are set up you are home free!

Demas W Jasper from Today's America and The World Beyond on November 29, 2014:

You are finding new ways to help me spend my money. Go fish?

Jackie Lynnley (author) from the beautiful south on November 27, 2014:

Thanks serfu; this is a great thing to do. Not near as hard as it may look and so much fun for so many years.

Vivian Sudhir from Madurai, India on November 27, 2014:

Lovely idea creating a pond! You are helping me find new ways to spend my time. Good article Ms Lynnley. Up and shared.

Jackie Lynnley (author) from the beautiful south on November 08, 2014:

Had thought about it Deb but guess the "bird" is the bad guy here. I do take caution when I see a big shadow in the sky! lol

Jackie Lynnley (author) from the beautiful south on November 08, 2014:

Very welcome RT; it is doable and as long as you are the brains of the outfit not too much work!! lol

Deb Hirt from Stillwater, OK on November 08, 2014:

Water features are always wonderful and relaxing, and are very attractive to small animals around the area. I would still welcome by Great Blue Heron at my place--I'd just be buying him or her a lot of fish. However, the reward some come in the later summer, when he or she bring the young...

RTalloni on November 08, 2014:

This makes an idea I've toyed with seem doable! Thanks for sharing your process for creating a garden fish pond with us.

Jackie Lynnley (author) from the beautiful south on November 07, 2014:

Thank you so much Prasetio! So glad you like it and it is a very fun thing to have and worth all the effort!

prasetio30 from malang-indonesia on November 07, 2014:

I love goldfish and I love this hub well. My friend, you come up with solution for fish lovers. Useful tips and I hope many people will read this hub. Good job and voted up! Have a nice weekend!

Prasetio

Jackie Lynnley (author) from the beautiful south on November 05, 2014:

You are welcome Vespa and thank you for stopping by to read. Pleased you learned something!

Vespa Woolf from Peru, South America on November 05, 2014:

Wow, this is a very informative Hub! I´ve always wanted a goldfish pond but have never had the room. I didn´t realize that by not feeding the goldfish, you can keep the pool properly balanced. I´ve kept goldfish in tanks and they do eat and poop a LOT! I also didn´t realize koi and goldfish can breed but produce hybrid offspring. It makes sense! Thanks for all this great information and the nice photos, too.

Jackie Lynnley (author) from the beautiful south on October 31, 2014:

Thank you Peggy and some people do feed them but it is recommended that you not. I can see a treat occasionally to make pets of them. It is fun to have them nibble your fingers. Before that I had only had minnows nibble my toes.

Snakesmum on October 31, 2014:

Love your photos of your pond and the plants. I think my pond needs to be upgraded after seeing yours, as it's only tiny. I've also learned that koi and goldfish are not the same thing! :-) Voted up.

kevin murphy from Ireland on October 31, 2014:

Awesome hub! :) You've gave me a lot to think about! thank you :)

FlourishAnyway from USA on October 31, 2014:

What a terrific hub, Jackie. I wish I could have one of these in my back yard (my cats would LOVE one, too). You presented it so well and your photos are gorgeous.

Peggy Woods from Houston, Texas on October 31, 2014:

My aunt and uncle who lived in Milwaukee, Wisconsin used to have a fish pond. I never realized until reading this informative hub of yours that the fish should not be fed. Interesting! Your photos are beautiful. G+, tweeting and sharing this hub on HP.

Jackie Lynnley (author) from the beautiful south on October 23, 2014:

Thank you Kim! I have given up on ever earning one of those; but to know my friends appreciate my work is good enough! Promise yourself to do one; they are not that hard!

ocfireflies from North Carolina on October 23, 2014:

Jackie,

I agree with Faith. This should be HOTD. Like so many others, I would like to have one of these ponds. V+/Share.

Blessings,

Kim

Jackie Lynnley (author) from the beautiful south on October 18, 2014:

Thank you. It really is beautiful Dianna; truly not that hard to do either; especially if you have you a digger!

Dianna Mendez on October 18, 2014:

I would love having one in my backyard. How wonderful it would be to view this each day. THanks for sharing this idea.

Jackie Lynnley (author) from the beautiful south on October 17, 2014:

Thanks rebecca; I put these photos somewhere and forgot about them or I would have done this much sooner! I have plenty more too! lol

Jackie Lynnley (author) from the beautiful south on October 17, 2014:

Watch a video of it being done ologsinquito; you will see it is not so hard!

Jackie Lynnley (author) from the beautiful south on October 17, 2014:

It is do-able Patsy and so rewarding when it is all done.

Jackie Lynnley (author) from the beautiful south on October 17, 2014:

Thanks Nithya; I guess with a picture in mind of what we want it makes the work not nearly so hard and besides I always have help. Don't know I would have started something like this alone.

Rebecca Mealey from Northeastern Georgia, USA on October 17, 2014:

Oh my Gosh, Jackie. How very awesome. Your instructions are good, and great looking photos.

ologsinquito from USA on October 17, 2014:

The pictures you selected look beautiful. If I was only good at making things, I'd love to do this.

Patsy Bell Hobson from zone 6a, Southeast Missouri, USA on October 17, 2014:

You make it sound so easy. I am putting this hub into my spring projects list. You make an intimidating project do-able for everyone.

Nithya Venkat from Dubai on October 17, 2014:

A wonderful idea your gold fish pond looks beautiful and you must have enjoyed doing the project.

Jackie Lynnley (author) from the beautiful south on October 14, 2014:

Wow I can only imagine, lol. They really are so sweet and beautiful!

Melanie Wilcox from Pennsylvania, USA on October 14, 2014:

Yes, I've seen it with gigantic koi. I haven't trained mine yet. They aren't afraid of me anymore. They beg like dogs. It's too cute. I knew a man who had the largest koi pond in the world. It rivaled one other that was more of a running stream that looped around an Estate. His koi cost on average was 60k each (not a typo). He had them flown in from Japan and a specialist flew over with the fish. It was a major operation. They were huge and gorgeous. Personally, I wouldn't spend that much (not comparable at all). I got to see them because my father got a job building a tunnel underground with a viewing window at the end. Can you imagine!

Jackie Lynnley (author) from the beautiful south on October 14, 2014:

No problem! Do you have them eating from your hand yet? You can; if not. Just like kittens or puppies! Make them come to your hand to eat a treat and finally they will all be doing it. Just takes a few tries. The hungrier they are the better chance, lol.

Melanie Wilcox from Pennsylvania, USA on October 14, 2014:

ooops -did not realize that when I make comments in my feed that they go straight to the articles too. So, I'll stop doing that now. haha -sorry

Melanie Wilcox from Pennsylvania, USA on October 14, 2014:

I get really happy watching the fish. They are so beautiful. I've always kept large saltwater aquariums and did not understand the hype of koi. Now, I know! :) I love them. I hope they hibernate over the winter well. The pond is pretty deep. They should be okay. Also, I added one water hyacinth -and now there are over 100! They are gorgeous, especially when they bloom, but keeping their population under control is crazy.

Jackie Lynnley (author) from the beautiful south on October 14, 2014:

Thanks Melanie; pleased you put some fish in; they are so much fun to have. I love ponds too of any kind. My daughter had one with no fish; just floating lilies and it was pretty too.

Melanie Wilcox from Pennsylvania, USA on October 13, 2014:

a fantastic hub :) Your pond is beautiful.

Melanie Wilcox from Pennsylvania, USA on October 13, 2014:

Oh, this is great. I moved about 8 months ago to a house with a small koi pond. I love it. There weren't any fish in the pond at the time. I added 3 small koi at the start of the season. My, how they have grown! I love ponds -all kinds and sizes.

Jackie Lynnley (author) from the beautiful south on October 13, 2014:

Hahaha Eric; I will be right over with my shovel!

Jackie Lynnley (author) from the beautiful south on October 13, 2014:

Thanks Jo; actually the lily shot doesn't show the pond but I did have to include them! lol

Eric Dierker from Spring Valley, CA. U.S.A. on October 13, 2014:

I want one right now please come on over as I am a bit lazy.

Jo Alexis-Hagues from Lincolnshire, U.K on October 13, 2014:

Jackie, what a beautiful hub to greet the day. My neighbour have a large Japanese carp pond, you're right they are very relaxing to watch. Love your beautiful garden, those lilies are stunning.

Jackie Lynnley (author) from the beautiful south on October 13, 2014:

Hi Fay! You just make sure there is enough water that it won't freeze up and they swim to the bottom near the earth and are just fine! It stays much warmer there.

Did you get my message about the tree; I forgot to come by and see. Will do that.

Thanks!

Fay Favored from USA on October 13, 2014:

Jackie it turned out really nice. We had a pond once, not as big as yours, but never put fish in it because we didn't know what to do with them in the winter. How do you deal with cold weather?

Jackie Lynnley (author) from the beautiful south on October 12, 2014:

Thank you Dora for reading and having a look; I appreciate the praise! And the vote.

Dora Weithers from The Caribbean on October 12, 2014:

Jackie, what a beautiful creation! Thank you for sharing the steps, the warning and the pictures. Voted Up!

Jackie Lynnley (author) from the beautiful south on October 12, 2014:

There is Randall; just a magic about water isn't it? Even without fish it would be nice and of course a lot less trouble! lol All worth it in the end though. Thanks!

Randall Guinn from Pinellas Park, Florida on October 12, 2014:

Beautiful fish pond Jackie! I have had a couple over the years, but not as nice as yours. Theres something about being near a body of water and its sound that is so relaxing, and watching fish has such a calming effect. Really nice landscaping job also.

Jackie Lynnley (author) from the beautiful south on October 12, 2014:

Thanks DDE; actually I have had these photos awhile on a back burner planning this article. It finally came through.

Jackie Lynnley (author) from the beautiful south on October 12, 2014:

Thank you Pamela; and all we have to do is get someone to do the hard work for us! We just do the decorating!

Jackie Lynnley (author) from the beautiful south on October 12, 2014:

Haha Frank; you and Faith wanting to put me to work....actually I am more like the warden Aunt Bea. I am the idea man and snap my fingers and say; "Do this. Do that!"

But glad you like it and it is worth any work.

Devika Primić from Dubrovnik, Croatia on October 12, 2014:

Great idea and so creative. I like the way you approached this hub with beautiful photos and a lovely attraction.

Pamela Oglesby from Sunny Florida on October 12, 2014:

One of the things I remember best about my grandfather is he always had a goldfish pond. I love the beauty of a pond in the back yard and your easy steps make it sound like it is not as hard as I would have thought. Thanks.

Jackie Lynnley (author) from the beautiful south on October 12, 2014:

Thanks Michael; we all miss you too! You have enough poems for here and there; surely? lol

Jackie Lynnley (author) from the beautiful south on October 12, 2014:

Thank you suzette; they seem harder than they are; and they are fun no matter what!