New 12x8 ft Koi Pond: Algae, Stocking, Winter Prep

Inherited 12×8 ft Pond: Algae Control, Adding Koi, Winterizing

~1000 gal, clear water, 2 fish, rock algae cleaned 3×/week. Stop cleaning short algae — it's beneficial biofilm. Hair algae? Tolerate or add plants.

Stocking

1000 gal = 1 koi + 100 gal each. Add 2–3 more koi max. Start small.

Winter (North of Seattle)

4 ft deep = safe. De-icer + aeration. Net for leaves. See Winter Guide.

Algae Reality

30 min/year cleaning is normal. You're over-maintaining. Add floaters, barley, bacteria.

Read Algae Control.