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While they’re popular and have a lot of pros, the cons of river rocks include the following:

• River rocks don’t break down or provide nutrients to plants. 

• These stones can get hot and scorch nearby plants. 

• River stones may heat the surrounding soil to inhospitable temperatures. 

• Rocks can block rainwater from seeping into the ground if installations are too thick or tightly packed.

Most downsides occur when using river rock as mulch in gardens and flower beds. However, you can still incorporate river rocks into your landscape as long as you use them in the correct ways.

A good rule of thumb is to change 5% to 15% of your koi pon’s water every week. Partial water changes help keep your koi healthy, and replacing small amounts at a time prevents causing stress for the fish.

A koi pond should be at least 5 feet deep to keep the fish healthy and ensure they don’t freeze in winter. Koi fish are also known for growing large, so the more room you have, the better. A larger koi pond size will allow the fish to grow bigger than a smaller one will, and the more fish you have, the bigger the pond you’ll need. Learn how to build a pond in your backyard to ensure it remains functional and aesthetically pleasing for a long time.

How many fish can call your pond home depends on the volume of the pond and the fish size. Your pond's filtration system also influences the number of fish that will thrive in a pond. A general rule of thumb is to have 1 inch of fish for every square foot in a pond that's 2 feet deep. Another rule of thumb you can follow is to have one koi fish for every 200 gallons of water or two goldfish for every 200 gallons.