COST OF CONSTRUCTING A FISH POND

How much does a fish pond cost? The fish industry, which continues to witness growth has apart from depending on rivers, seas and oceans for the supply of fish, also depends on alternative sources of fish through the establishment of fisheries.

SAMPLE: FISH POND BUSINESS PLAN

There are costs involved in the rearing of fish which includes buying of feeds, construction of fish pond among other related costs. However, this article concentrates on the cost of a fish pond construction, making available all the necessary expenses involved in making this a reality.

Things to Consider in Fish Pond Construction

The cost of constructing a standard fish pond depends on several factors that may include the techniques applied in its construction, the size of the pond, the material used in its construction, the fishes and plants to be kept as well as the type of pond.

MORE: FACTORS TO CONSIDER BEFORE SITING A FISH POND

These are necessary for ensuring that the fish pond being constructed is durable and reliable, providing the best condition for the rearing of fishes. Fish ponds, especially artificial ones require a great deal of maintenance to ensure that the conditions within the pond achieve equilibrium. This provides just the right conditions for fishes to thrive.

Types of Fish Ponds

There are a variety of fish ponds that are all built to serve the same purpose. However, the two fish pond types this article will be concentrating on include the Koi carp fish pond, which costs far more than the second type of fish pond which is the natural pond.

This type of fish pond construction does not require filters, pumps or maintenance, as it has its adequate biological balance which adequately allows fishes to thrive in its environment without much artificial interference.

Fish Pond Construction Cost

The cost of a small fish pond, measuring a thousand liters costs up to $300. A large pond holding Koi typically has a price tag that hovers around $2,000 to $5,000 range. The costs of the fish ponds depend on the size and the type of fish ponds.

The cost incurred in the construction of a fish pond depends on which type of pond is being constructed. However, one can find already built artificial ponds in the market place.

Artificially Constructed Fish Ponds Vs. Natural Ponds

The artificially built/constructed fish ponds are both constructed from polyester or HPDE and reinforced with glass fiber. Other artificially constructed fish ponds are built from PVC or EPDM.

However, PVC ponds are the cheapest among artificially constructed fish ponds because although they have a lifespan of up to 15 years, they do not last as long as EPDM which has a lifespan of up to 30 years, Double the lifespan of PVC ponds.

The advantage of having artificially constructed fish ponds are the ease of placement. Also, these artificially constructed ponds can be changed or replaced if they develop problems or can be reused at any time for the same purpose.

Construction of the natural pond which provides natural conditions for the fishes and has low maintenance costs is the most expensive among all types of fish pond constructions. This is so because it is labor-intensive and time-consuming. It has to contain clay, loam or concrete and is usually constructed by specialist companies with professionals that know how best to deliver a perfect job.

Maintenance of Fish Ponds

After completing the construction of a fish pond, work does not end there, as maintenance is crucial to how much costs are saved in repairs over a duration of time. The maintenance of fish ponds can be carried out by properly inspecting pond filters, plants, clearing of sludge.

Doing this frequently will ensure that the fish pond equipment does not have to be frequently changed as their lifespan is considerably improved through ensuring that they are not unnecessarily clogged with debris and dirt.

Fish Pond Materials

Certain materials contribute to the cost of fish pond construction. The cost of these materials significantly raises the overall cost of fish ponds. The most common and recurring materials contributing significantly to the cost of fish ponds include the preformed pond basins and the pond liner.

However, for large ponds, which are the most expensive, they are either made of clay, loam or concrete. All these materials contribute significantly to the overall cost of fish pond construction. Below are brief explanations of both the preformed pond basins and the pond liner;

  • Preformed Pond Basins

These are made primarily from HPDE or polyester and given support by glass fiber. Their advantages are that they can be easily replaced without much difficulty.

  • Pond Liner

The pond liner is made from 3 materials that include the PVC, EPDM, and HDPE. However, these three materials apart from having different purchasing prices also have a varying duration or lifetime. This is seen in the lifetime of EPDM which lasts a longer period as compared to the others.

This article has focused on the cost of fish pond construction and has sought to provide insight into the associated costs that come along with constructing a fish pond. With the information supplied here, the details and estimations of cost implications are made available for those interested in knowing the attendant costs of constructing a fish pond.

Download: 15 Practical Manuals on Starting a Catfish Farm