X_and_Z
Songster
Goldfish can get very large very fast* but the real issue is how quickly they reproduce. Koi have to be much larger/older to be reproductive, plus there are more sellers that know the sex of their koi. Goldfish start reproducing so early that you can have a completely overrun/overstocked pond within a couple of years. You can find sexed goldfish, but there are fewer vendors**.
There are some very large stock tanks (1000+ gallons are easily found) out there if you want to go that route. The big ones are quite expensive, but they are very sturdy, have long life spans, are reasonably easy to plumb and are flexible in how they can be used (above/below ground, partially buried, etc.). Sometimes large stock tanks can be found used at reasonable prices.
As for filtration, you can go two routes - low stocking levels with cheaper filtering or high stocking with more expensive filtering. Filter costs include pump, energy, filter media/housing, filter maintenance, etc. Most koi ponds have high stocking levels and expensive filtration, but that is not your only option.
Waterfalls also tend to be expensive - both maintenance wise and due to pump/energy costs.
All that being said, I love having a pond. I went with low stocking levels and less expensive filtration (not that it is cheap, but it is a joke in comparison to most quality koi ponds) and have a waterfall
My pond is very relaxing and it is the first thing that people comment upon in my yard. Granted, the chickens aren't as obvious unless I let them out on the lawn.
*https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2013/03/7/super-sized-goldfish-pose-giant-problem-lake-tahoe
**Here are a couple of vendors that sell sexed goldfish. I am sure there are others, but you will have to track them down
http://raingarden.us/goldfish.htm
http://www.zhaosfancies.com/online-goldfish-shop
There are some very large stock tanks (1000+ gallons are easily found) out there if you want to go that route. The big ones are quite expensive, but they are very sturdy, have long life spans, are reasonably easy to plumb and are flexible in how they can be used (above/below ground, partially buried, etc.). Sometimes large stock tanks can be found used at reasonable prices.
As for filtration, you can go two routes - low stocking levels with cheaper filtering or high stocking with more expensive filtering. Filter costs include pump, energy, filter media/housing, filter maintenance, etc. Most koi ponds have high stocking levels and expensive filtration, but that is not your only option.
Waterfalls also tend to be expensive - both maintenance wise and due to pump/energy costs.
All that being said, I love having a pond. I went with low stocking levels and less expensive filtration (not that it is cheap, but it is a joke in comparison to most quality koi ponds) and have a waterfall
My pond is very relaxing and it is the first thing that people comment upon in my yard. Granted, the chickens aren't as obvious unless I let them out on the lawn.*https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2013/03/7/super-sized-goldfish-pose-giant-problem-lake-tahoe
**Here are a couple of vendors that sell sexed goldfish. I am sure there are others, but you will have to track them down
http://raingarden.us/goldfish.htm
http://www.zhaosfancies.com/online-goldfish-shop
I really liked my red devil too, he got super agressive though.
