Customer Ponds: Building and Perfecting a Three-Pond Koi Setup

In the world of koi keeping, every pond build tells a story. For Jamie Miller, a passionate hobbyist and customer of Adam Byer Koi Farm, what began as a small gesture for his daughter and an initial trip to see us blossomed into a well-planned three-pond koi setup, each with its unique purpose.

Here’s how Jamie transformed his back garden, gained an enriching new hobby and created a range of new experiences for his family to enjoy.

Like many hobbies, this one started small. "I bought a fish tank for my daughter," Jamie shared during our conversation."I’ve loved Koi since I was a kid, and I thought it’d be great to pass that on to her. I bought some mirror carp and some other little fish for that tank" That small tank quickly became inadequate as the fish grew. Before long, he was building a larger tank in his garage and Jamie set his signts on koi.

"I wanted to find a specialist supplier, perhaps a fish farm . A little step up from a regular aquatic retail situation - where it's a bit more in-depth. So obviously I started doing my research and I found you and I've been coming ever since."

Jamie’s interest took off after visiting Adam Byer Koi Farm. "Once I saw your setup and the size of your sleeper ponds, I was inspired. I’m the type who goes full steam ahead with things I love, so what started as one tank turned into three ponds in no time."

Seeing our sleeper ponds, and the volume they hold gave Jamie the confidence to build in the same way.  And seeing the wide age range of koi we offer showed Jamie in a single visit what different stages of koi development looked like, from fry thorugh to larger mature koi and everything in between.  This gave him ideas about how he could develop a hobby around growing koi and watching their development. Jamie is a huge fan of Doitsu koi and single-coloured koi that growlarge, and he saw lots of opportunities with our range.

Each pond in Jamie’s setup serves a specific role:

• Main Pond (12,000 Litres): This large, centrepiece pond houses the “keepers”—his prized, fully grown Koi. Builtfrom reinforced wooden sleepers and capped with a pergola for protection, this pond reflects both durability and design.

• Grow-On Pond (4,000 Litres): This heated pond is dedicated to raising younger fish. It offers a perfect environment for fish that are not yet ready for the main pond.

• Fry Pond (2,000 Litres): This pond is insulated and heated, ideal for nurturing fry until they’re ready for the grow on pond.

"I like the process of growing and selecting fish," Jamie explained. "It’s therapeutic watching them develop from fry to full-grown fish."

Jamie built the main pond and grow-on pond as one construction with a filter bay in between. Building two ponds in one go is no small feat, especially when you’re determined to do it yourself. With a background in building and plumbing, Jamie approached the project hands-on.

The main pond, made of wooden sleepers, was a particular challenge. "I went overboard with the reinforcement. I drilled through the sleepers, drove in rebar, and added metal braces to every corner. It was a lot of work, but I wanted it to last." Jamie even used a one-metre auger bit to drill holes vertically through the entire pond wall for rebar reinforcement—a process he now admits he might simplify in hindsight.

Rather than build the sleeper wall and then drill through the entire structure, Jamie comments that it would be easier to mark up each sleeper and drill them one at a time; or perhaps a few at a time.

The longest wall length of the main pond is 4.8m and Jamie overlapped the sleepers to create a stronger structure. "Every overlap was secured with at least four screws," he explained, plus around 4 screws per sleeper, extra screws in the corners and metal braces in the corners and along the joins on the longest side. "It was painstaking work, but I wanted to make sure the pond was robust enough to last for years."

His planning extended to ensuring the ponds complemented the overall look of the garden. "I built wooden lodges for a gym and a beauty salon for my wife, so I wanted the pond to match that aesthetic. Using sleepers tied everything together beautifully."

Both ponds are lined with Celotex (insulation board) and bespoke , made-to-measure box weld liners.

The filtration systems are the backbone of Jamie’s pond’s success. Each pond uses filtration products tailored to its needs:

• The main pond runs on a Nexus 320 filter for its two bottom drains and an EasyPod for its skimmer.

• The grow-on pond and fry pond both use EasyPod filters.

"The Nexus is great because there are no components to fail. It’s simple and does exactly what it’s supposed to," Jamie noted. He highlighted a remarkable improvement in water clarity after upgrading his garage pond from a basic pressure filter to an EasyPod. "Even when I feed heavily or leave it for a bit longer than I should in between filter cleans, the water remains crystal clear."

Cleaning the filters takes just 30 to 40 minutes twice a week—a manageable routine for someone balancing three ponds. However, Jamie did mention the need to arrange for a friend to maintain the system when he’s away, as the filters require regular attention.

Jamie’s passion extends beyond pond building to the fish themselves. "I enjoy growing them on from fry and seeing their potential," he explained. His favourite variety is Doitsu Ochiba, though he admits he’s kept too many. "I’ve grown attached to some fish that aren’t the best examples, but I’ve had them since they were tiny. It’s hard to let them go."

Jamie’s selection process focuses on growth rate, pattern, and colour. He carefully moves fish between the fry pond, grow-on pond, and main pond, enjoying the process of watching their development. "A fry that costs pennies can grow into a fish worth hundreds of pounds. But more than the value, it’s the satisfaction of seeing what they become."

When asked about the ideal number of ponds, Jamie was clear that three hits the sweet spot. "With three ponds, I have the flexibility to grow on fish, house my keepers, and rear fry. It’s a setup that gives me options without feeling overwhelming," he explained.

Would four ponds be better? Jamie laughed at the suggestion. "Four would mean my obsession has gone too far. That’sthe line where it stops being a hobby and starts taking over completely."

On the other hand, he acknowledged that two ponds could work but would limit the enjoyment of growing and selecting fish. "If you’re serious about Koi and want to develop them, two ponds is really the minimum. You need one for your larger fish and at least one for growing on or rearing fry. Three makes it all easier and more enjoyable."

Despite managing three separate ponds, maintenance has been surprisingly straightforward. "I clean all the filters at the same time, which keeps things efficient," Jamie shared.

Jamie’s fry pond is a simple liner which has creases and folds, and needs a good clean out from time to time.  But has worked effectively so far for rearing fry - from 2-3 week old, and 6-8 week old.

For Jamie, the greatest reward is seeing the fruits of his labour. "It’s amazing to watch them grow. A fry that cost pennies can grow into a stunning fish worth hundreds of pounds. But more than that, it’s about the journey—from building the ponds to selecting and rearing the fish."

His ponds have also become a source of joy for his family and friends. "My daughter loves the fish, and even my missus' clients at her beauty lodge enjoy the calming sound of the water and the view of the ponds. In the summer, my daughter even gets in the pond and has a swim with the fish.  There are three mirror carp in there, and she's able to handle them - hold them from underneath. It’s become a family experience."

For those considering their own Koi pond, Jamie offers practical advice:

1. Start with a Plan: Decide on the purpose of your pond—whether for display or growing fish.

2. Invest in Quality Filtration: A reliable filtration system saves time and ensures water quality.

3. Enjoy the Process: "If you love it, you’ll put your all into it. The process of building and maintaining ponds is as rewarding as the ponds themselves."

He also emphasises finding the right balance. "Three ponds work perfectly for me—one for fry, one for growing fish, and one for keepers. Any more, and it’d feel like too much."

While Jamie is content with his current setup, which is testament to his excellent planning, there is one upgrade being considered which is adding an air source heat pump to his main pond to optimise growth.

Building a pond is an exciting journey, but it starts with having a clear vision. That’s why, when we meet a new customer wanting to build a pond, an early priority is to understand their goals and what they want to achieve from the project.

For Jamie, a project centred around Koi development is a rarer ask but one we have a deep capability in so it was particularly fun to assist with. Over the course of Jamie's build, we provided advice and guidance on everything from pond and filtration design to Koi selection and husbandry.

For the filtration design, we specified the major equipment items and collaborated with Jamie to create a detailed list of all the plumbing pieces required. Feedback from self-builders has consistently shown us how useful this comprehensive approach is in helping them feel prepared and confident.

We also offer competitive bundle deals on pond build packages and filtration upgrades, making it easy to get everything you need in one place.

We are available throughout your project to answer questions and assist you in avoiding typical pitfalls.

Once the build stage is complete, we are also on hand to guide customers through the crucial early stages of running a pond to establish a safe environment for the fish. We are committed to setting you up for a rewarding hobby. We take a customer-led approach and are available to provide as much or as little assistance as you need to help you enjoy a rewarding hobby, which could include choosing the right koi, understanding how to maintain good water quality and general koi husbandry through to maintaining your pond and equipment.

If you’re planning a pond build or thinking about upgrading your setup, we’d love to help. Get in touch with us today and take the first step toward making your vision a reality!

The simple but effective filtration, which is easy and quick to clean, combined with Jamie's passion and his well-thought-out set-up, has allowed him to broaden his hobby, giving him extra opportunities but, at the same time, keeping things manageable.

Jamie's story is a testament to how hobbies can grow and evolve. We are proud to have played a part in Jamie's journey, from providing some of the initial inspiration and also providing the confidence Jamie needed to forge his new hobby.

It’s a privilege to see how our expertise and passion for Koi have helped shape his vision and brought his dream setup to life.

Whatever your level of experience or time in the hobby, there's plenty to learn from Jamie's journey - a blend of creativity, dedication, incredible planning and an enduring love for fish keeping.