Butterfly Koi Ponds

Pond Size

• The size of the pond is one of the most important factors when setting it up. Butterfly koi are slightly smaller than Japanese koi, topping out at about 3 feet long. However, this is still a very large fish and most koi ponds will require at least 1,000 gallons of water for a group of 20 or more koi, according to LiveAquaria.
  
  

Filtration

• Filtration is another pivotal aspect of building a Butterfly koi pond as the water must be constantly cleaned and aerated in order to support the large fish. You may need to employ multiple filters, especially with such a large amount of water. The filters, which can be purchased from hardware stores or specialty pond shops, suck water in through tubes and push it through a filter medium that includes strainers and beneficial bacteria, all of which contribute to a healthy aquatic environment.
  
  

Decor

• Koi do not need fancy decor and as such will require only a rocky substrate and various pond plants to oxygenate the water. If using rooting plants, you will need to place large rocks around the base of their stems to prevent the fish from uprooting them. Floating plants like lilies and hyacinth bring the added bonus of preventing algae overgrowth by blocking sunlight, which the nuisance algae uses for photosynthesis.
  
  

Parameters

• Koi are accustomed to cold water. A heater must be employed only in the winter months to keep the pond from freezing over. The water temperature will ideally remain between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit all year long. The pH level should be between 6.0 and 8.5 and can be adjusted through the use of chemical pH buffers found in pet shops.