Can Koi & Goldfish Survive in Phoenix Summer Heat?

A pond in the desert?!?! How in the heck can Koi and goldfish survive the 100+ Phoenix summer heat?

​Recently, we had some new clients visit our office and showroom. This was an issue very much on their mind because they are new to the Valley. 

​Being from Minnesota (or anyone moving here from the Midwest or east coast), people are used to their pond fish surviving under ice. But the kind of heat we get in Phoenix in the summer?!?! It was tough for them to wrap their brains around that one. 

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​Many people are very skeptical about ponds in the desert, and aren’t even sure it’s possible to have an ecosystem pond here because of the summer heat.

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​This most recent occasion was not the first time we’ve heard those types of concerns, and it probably won’t be the last. In fact, this is a common question from folks who can’t imagine how pond fish would live through the Phoenix summers. 

​People hear all kinds of wild tails about Phoenix summers: we fry eggs on our sidewalks (or car hoods), we bake cookies in the back window as we drive to or from work, we keep oven mitts in our cars because of how hot the steering wheel gets (actually, that’s not a bad idea), we can’t leave the air-conditioned house or office without bursting into flame, etc.

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​The summer heat-related concern about pond fish is also a question often asked during our annual DIY Annual Cleaning Workshops that we host in early February. People buy a house that already has a pond installed and are worried about the upcoming summer heat, and want to learn how to cope with it.

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​We also hear this question a lot from audiences of various clubs when giving a presentation at their meeting. Homeowners are typically used to their plants struggling through the summer, but don’t realize that a water garden is an AWESOME place to garden in the summer, and that aquatic plants are super happy and thrive in Phoenix summers (unlike a lot of terrestrial plants not native or climate-appropriate). The exception to that are the aquatic plants not acclimated to our high pH. 

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​Gardeners use shade covers and shade houses to grow year-round, and think that needs to be done with a pond, as well. They’re usually delighted to hear that’s not the case.

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​People who contact us for the first time to inquire about a pond installation ask about the perceived heat issue. So, yes, this is a common question and concern, especially if you’re not from around these parts. 

​So, how do we get Koi and goldfish to survive the Phoenix heat in our ponds? It’s actually very easy! We simply provide them with everything they need:

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• The fish have shade over various areas of the pond in the form of water lilies and other aquatic plants. Sometimes a tree will be planted next to the pond, which not only provides shade, but adds to the “natural” appearance of the yard’s focal point.
• The ponds we design and build have 24/7 circulation so that the water is kept moving and well-aerated. You might think that’s expensive, but we use very efficient pumps. Think of them as aquarium pumps on steroids.
• We use rock and stone to cover the 45-mil EPDM rubber liner. We’re not creating a parabolic dish. The rock and stone also provide great habitat for the good guys of the pond (beneficial bacteria, enzymes, and zooplankton).

​The bottom line is that we adhere to the K.I.S.S. method of pond design, building, and maintenance. We’re big believers in working WITH Mother Nature, not against her. This philosophy makes for a very low maintenance pond for people who just want to live the pond life.

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​Check it out for yourself at various stops on our FREE pond tour!

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