We thought it was about time to share with you all the finished koi pond, 2013 was quite a hectic year for us. So much so that we have only now prepared the photos from our koi pond to share the final result with you all. The build of the pond has featured several times on the blog in the past with many references and a series of posts documenting the build (part 1, part 2 part 3 and part 4). But its high time that the final finished pond makes a full appearance!
Just selecting the photos to illustrate the pond was a tricky task, these were all taken in July at the height of the summer - we were originally planning to share the pond with you all at that time, but then events over took us with the garden fire and subsequent home renovation taking our attention and energies. As we mentioned at the time the pond was thankfully unaffected by the fire, with only minor damage to some adjacent plants.
So far things seem to be working out well, the water is clear and we have not had any issues with the health of our pets.
It was hard work at the time, but we are so pleased with the end result, we hope you enjoy seeing it as much as we do!
Mark and Gaz :)
Just selecting the photos to illustrate the pond was a tricky task, these were all taken in July at the height of the summer - we were originally planning to share the pond with you all at that time, but then events over took us with the garden fire and subsequent home renovation taking our attention and energies. As we mentioned at the time the pond was thankfully unaffected by the fire, with only minor damage to some adjacent plants.
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| Pots of Agave on the pond edge. |
The pond was only part of the project, we were keen to blend the pond into its surroundings, creating new raised planting beds, and also a decked area to sit and watch the fish.
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| Knickers guarding the entrance! |
One of the key requirements to the pond was to have as water as clear as possible, after all that work we wanted to see the fish. Clear water also means heavily filtered water, this would be good for the fish, giving them a healthy environment to live in. The filtration set up we opted for should be capable of filtering a pond several times larger than the pond we built. This allows us to turn part off for maintenance without giving us too much to worry about, and also ensures that quality and clarity of the water, both for our enjoyment and the fish health.
So far things seem to be working out well, the water is clear and we have not had any issues with the health of our pets.
So there you have it, our Koi Pond, 8,000 gallons, all built by hand. Thanks of course must go to John from the Koi club for fibreglassing and to Grub for the electrical installation.
Mark and Gaz :)
This gardening blog follows our journey as we create our Tropical and Exotic themed garden. We hope you'll enjoy the journey as much as we do. We started our Exotic Garden in 2005 and this site will show its development, as well as our travels, both abroad and within the UK to gardens, nurseries and friends.
one word , PERFECTION XX
ReplyDeleteThat's lovely Carol, thank you!
DeleteMore lovely than I had imagined, absolutely splashing!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kate :)
DeleteAmazeballs! And your patience and perseverance is incredible
ReplyDeleteThanks Clive! :)
DeleteSuch happy fish, and why not: you have given them such a posh environment. I especially love the window into their underwater world, and the way the seating area is reflected in it.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ricki! Seeing the fish side view gives another dimension to viewing them although their prettiest angle will always be from above. The window does help us keep an eye on their health.
DeleteAn absolutely incredible achievement! Both the pond and the surrounding area look great. The fish look very content too (to the extent that fish expressions can be judged). How did the cats react to the underwater view of the Koi?
ReplyDeleteThanks Kris! They were fascinated at first and would sit by the front of it watching them swim away. Fortunately they havent been naughty enough to start catching them and they pretty much ignore them now.
DeleteOK, I'm hyperventilating here. What you have created is beyond words. Not only does your garden belong in a book on garden design, IT DESERVES ITS OWN BOOK. I'm so in awe, I'm at a loss for words, and that doesn't happen very often.
ReplyDeleteBut with this level of perfection comes a serious downside: Your own garden is so stunning and such a source of inspiration for others that it must be very difficult for you guys to visit other people's gardens and be impressed. I had been looking forward to some day welcoming you here, but now I know that my own garden could never even begin to measure up :-(.
BTW, where did you find the two chairs opposite the viewing window in the wall? I love them!
Lovely words Gerhard, and we're almost lost for words ourselves, thank you!!
DeleteThere are so many lovely and stunning gardens out there (including yours!) that are unique and a source of inspiration. We would LOVE to see your garden in the flesh and would be delighted to be shown around, hopefully in the very near future!
The chairs are called Low Lita and they are from a company called Slide. They come in different colours too and particularly like the green and red.
I second everything Gerhard said, it indeed will be very difficult to show you around my garden someday. This is just so so beautiful! What happy, lucky fish. Those 3 potted agaves are the perfect flourish and those chairs are wonderful!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Loree! And your garden is stunning and would love to see it in the flesh soon! Actually we might do so later in the year, so looking forward to it! ;)
DeleteThat.is.stunning. Seriously, absolutely beautiful! M and G, your garden should be in Gardens Illustrated and the pond would not be out of place in a celebrity garden! And not just the pond, but the planting …. *sigh*. Once I'd remembered to start breathing again, I have to say I love the personal touches of humour - it's so you! Whales, ducks and dogs - hilarious! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThat's lovely to hear Caro, thank you! Glad you like the accessories as well, a splash of fun for us!
DeleteWOW. Perfection, all of it. Every single aspect. Your fish look so happy - man they are some heavy duty pumps and filters! Everything is so well thought out and planned! To envision such a transformation and have the ability to be patient enough to bring it to life with all the attention to detail and care that you've taken is no mean feat. Well done!
ReplyDeleteThanks Amy, lovely to hear :) the filtration was done with heavy stocking in the future in mind and also independent from each other in case maintenance is needed. Looking back at our own pics makes me long for summer though!
Delete!!!! Absolutely fantastic! This part of your garden looks so exotic! I like a touch of contemporary and also whimsy! Little rubber ducks made me smile! Wonderful, tasteful and fun, fun, fun!
ReplyDeleteThose accessories do make us smile Tatyana :) Thank you for the kind comments!
DeleteWow!!!!! That is one impressive looking pond. Love the side window view. Wow!!!!! Honestly it is fantastic and blends so well with everyone. Your whole gardens look topnotch. I commented before but I love the path you did through everything. Way to go!
ReplyDeleteCher Sunray Gardens
Glad you like it Cher, thank you!
DeleteIncredible! This was worth the wait! What a fabulous pond; your koi are very lucky to have you as caretakers!
ReplyDeleteWe think they appreciate their spacious home as well. Thanks Peter!
DeleteOh, Wow!!! I knew it was going to be fabulous, but I had no idea just how much! That cut-away area where you can sit and watch the swim fish is genius, and beautiful, and amazing! You did such a super job! I'm also impressed with your filtration system. That was the hardest part for us to get right. You really did your homework. Congratulations! Those are some lucky fish!
ReplyDeleteThat's lovely to hear Holley, thank you and we're glad you like it! :) The filtration set up was tricky but thankfully managed to sort it out in such a relatively small space.
DeleteI am happy to see the finished project! I LOVE the glass window on the side, so one gets a good view of the fish as they swim about. The plantings are beautiful. Very well done! I am so grateful that the fire did not damage the pond.
ReplyDeleteThanks Debs and glad to hear you like the finished product :) Yes, thankfully it wasn't damaged by the fire. The firemen did use this area to access the affected area but apart from a couple of plants that got trampled (one recovered) this bit was on the whole unaffected.
DeleteSo I guess you won't be moving!!
ReplyDeleteLooks great must be very satisfying after all that hard work. My style of arid bed as well, they look so much better with some vsariation and colour in them. Does that bed get much sun?
Tony
Thanks Tony! The first bed with the Yuccas gets lots of sun even in winter (on bright days that is), second bed with mixed planting quite sun drenched too but not much at the back, third bed beside water feature only the front bit to decking is sunny, the rest shady.
DeleteWill stay here for awhile but will move eventually :)
My jaw is on the floor. What you've created is absolutely fabulous. Bravo!
ReplyDeleteThank you Heather :)
DeleteI opt for the "Wow" response too - Really stunning! If only my feeder goldfish had it so good.
ReplyDeleteThanks Matthew :)
DeleteWords fail me .. and I just didn't expect it to be just so big. What a mercy that this wasn't affected by the fire! You've created a masterpiece :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Rosie :)
DeleteI absolutely love it! And the water is so clear!!! You did such a fantastic job. And your humorous adornments are really fantastic. They add color, cool shapes and a touch of whimsy!
ReplyDeleteThanks Candice :) Those adornments feel fun to have on an otherwise serious built :))
DeleteHOW DID I MISS THIS!!! Stunning. The pond itslef, the landscaping, the planting, the touches of humour with the whales and the ducks, it is truly a triumph, worthy of a glossy magazine spread. You must be very proud of what you have achieved. The planting works perfectly, just enough flashed of colour from the burnt orange flowers to bring zing without shouting too loudly, beautiful combinations of foliage. Wow.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Janet! We're glad you like it and thank you again for the kind words, most appreciated :)
DeleteBeautiful pics of a great project. The koi do nothing for me (sorry guys) but you have some wonderful architectural plants!
ReplyDeleteThat is one attractive POND with attractive fish!
ReplyDeleteOH MY GOODNESS! that is stunning! Those are some stinking lucky fish. And to be surrounded by a garden like that! Great job, guys!
ReplyDeleteAll that clean white makes me think you live on a Greek island. You guys are amazing.
ReplyDeleteWow love it!
ReplyDeleteAwesome!! Really nice work guys.
ReplyDelete