Shopping list for a koi pond?

Right, I'm guessing this will throw the cat amongst the pigeons.

I'd like to get an insiders idea what is needed to build/set up a Koi pond. Not including the fish themselves what would you put on your koi pond shopping list with rough ££?

Personal opinions please, no ''Your wrong, it should be....''.

 

Things to consider;
Are you on a water meter? If you are, forget it.
Where in the garden?
What sort of soil do you have? (a nightmare if it's clay)
What sort of size?
What medium, glass fibre, concrete, butyl liner?
Below ground level, or built up?
Any kids? a koi pool should be at least five feet deep, dangerous for young children.
Most importantly, are you likely to move house in the next several years?
Koi pools can have an adverse affect on the saleability of a house.

Not wishing to sound patronising, but these days, unless you've plenty of money, it's better to stick to goldfish. I built mine in the mid eighties, I did everything myself building a 9' X12' X 5' pool and the materials cost me well over £1,000. So given inflation it'd be at least about £2,500 now. My costings are from memory, so I probably under-estimated what it all cost including buiding the filter/indoor tank room.

Edit.
The cost of large skips to take away the spoil is now horrendous.

Then there's the fish. Buying them small isn't expensive, but aquatic shops want really silly prices for two to three year-old fish.

Koi are an absolute pain compared to most other fresh water fish. They are notorious for picking up some sort of illness or another.

The idea of a koi pool is appealing to many as one imagines a tranquil situation with the sound of gently tricking water, but really the hobby can be quite stress inducing.

 

I'm not looking to build one my self. well not for a good few years as I couldn't fit one in my garden at the moment, I want to move in two years, I have a 2 year old(although she can swim and has been able to since 18 months ) I am on a meter an run a window cleaning company using pure water so my water bills direct debits are £66.00 per month already, I have a clay based soil and can't really afford it at this moment in my life what with golf. lol

I just though it would be a good thread.

Thanks for trying to help though. Your a great member and from what I've seen, I do think you would make a great Moderator!

 

Thanks for your kind words.