An introduction.

It all started with an email…….

‘Hi Waddy, have gone through your web site with great interest.

We want to build a “Special Koi Pond” with a waterfall.

Pool size approx 24ft by 65ft,waterfall approx 9ft high by 20ft long.

Just wondered if you are in the position at the moment to either run the project completely or help with the design of the system needed to make it work’.

…..and that was it!

I didn’t recognize the name and I had never met the guy before but I just stared at the words ‘Special Koi Pond’; I next checked three times I had seen the dimensions correctly and then got the calculator out. Presuming the depth to be six feet, this worked out to be around 58,000 gallons and I honestly wondered if there had been some mistake with the dimensions given on the email?

There was only one real way to find out and so I rang the number given and spoke to the guy at the other end and fired a few questions at him. It turned out that the dimensions were correct as stated and it also turned out to be his very first Koi pond which came as a surprise because few contacts ever come my way unless the clients have had previous systems that have not exactly been ‘satisfactory’.

The location turned out to be some distance from me but I was fascinated to see the area in question that he said had already been marked out. A date and time was arranged and I arrived to find a lovely house and grounds in one of the most beautiful countryside areas of the UK.

It is never exactly easy meeting for the first time especially if neither party knows the other and more especially if one wishes to buy and the other wishes to sell. It was obvious where the Koi pond was to be, as he said it was already marked out. I wandered to the centre of the area and marveled; a few minutes later the guy walked out of the house and we made our introductions.

Anyway, here’s the sight that greeted me.

The peg at the front is the start of the pond and the waterfall area is near the line of trees. Many questions from each of us followed, my very first question was how did he propose to net a Koi but he was adamant with the dimensions, he also needed a bridge over the pond that would lead to a teahouse.

It was to be an in-ground system and as far as final landscaping was concerned it would be mainly a rock pond with one long formal edge to a new patio being constructed for this purpose.

His own builders were to carry out all the excavation and build of the project as they were on site working on a large house extension for him.

I then asked the inevitable question, I needed an area where the filter systems could be installed and this was some distance behind the waterfall area. I made hurried mental calculations as to the number of drains and filter units that would be needed and then checked it again before remarking – ‘Have you any idea of the amount of pipe work and fittings needed for all of this’?

I left for home promising to return after I’d had chance to put some serious thought to it all and come back with initial outline plans, illustrations and estimates. I think it was the fourth set of designs that were both accepted by each of us and I was given the go-ahead to see the entire project through from start to finish.

However, there were times when altercations cropped up and either he was ready to ditch me or I was equally as ready to ditch him.

Yes, there is substantial money required to get this to completion, this money is readily available but the guy with the money did not get that money by being stupid and so whilst the money is there for items and services required, it is not released until the man is absolutely sure it needs to be released.

All the man wants is quite simple – and there’s no holds barred here – he just wants the finest Koi pond system possible!

Is that ALL?

So why am I shaking in my boots?

This Koi pond is, by far, the most challenging outdoor pond project I have ever been faced with and I’m detailing it all right from start to finish on this website.

This step-by-step detailing of it all should hopefully be of assistance to anyone considering building a proper Koi pond of ANY size.

Here is the initial area in question after excavation together with all relevant dimensions, the main pond will be five feet deep throughout and will be heated.

This is a rough idea of how it should look at the end of it all.

That’s enough to take in for the introduction and excavation commenced on the 8th. June.

Everything has been planned in advance regarding the full operation of the system and there are many surprises ahead. Please keep checking in for a full explanation and photographs all along the way.