Extremely good information in extraordinary detail and quantity at koi phen . com (remove the spaces)

Also koi vet . com, americanponder. com,

I install water gardens in Des Moines metro. they contain koi in them. We also have classes to teach people how to build them and will be having them this spring!

Here is a link that might be useful: just add water

Yes, there are some exceptional sources for mentoring, regarding water gardening and koi keeping.

Americanponders is definitely not one of them.

Alas you are more likely to run into some very unreliable folk who are neither competent or indulge in bait and switch, condoned by the moderators.

A good example is the thread 'where is Greg Bickal.' A very interesting water gardener and koi keeper.

You will notice a moderator say 'everyone is welcome' then along the thread downright slander.

Fairly typical for folk with a track record of 'bait and switch' fraud, to bait disputes with false, malicious misleading statements, then using the response as an excuse to slander and offend them.

Other forums have far more competent and civil moderation and would not tolerate such disreputable behaviour

Two thing to NOT do when building a pond Anywhere.
1. Do not put gravel in the bottom. Just say NO.
2. Do not put a shelf all the way around the edge. Makes a great dinning table for coons, cats and herons. Strait walls are best. Just a couple of things to consider.