How can I keep leaves out of koi pond?

I have a koi pond in my backyard. The pond is pretty large (20 fish). I also have lots of trees. How can I keep the newly fallen leaves out of it this fall? I'd like to be proactive and prevent the pond from getting mucky. I was thinking of putting some sort of netting or screen over it until spring. Any ideas?

  6 answers
  • Loretta Loretta on Sep 10, 2018

    The only suggestion I would have is to cover it with fine screen and then use a leaf blower when leaves accumulate.

  • Pam Giesler Bell Pam Giesler Bell on Sep 10, 2018

    Where do I find a fine screen this large?

    • Dawn Mooneyham Dawn Mooneyham on Sep 10, 2018

      I use either the sun shade cloth, or the large screen for patio doors. Hold it down with rocks. purchase at

      Home improvement stores.


  • Vimarhonor Vimarhonor on Sep 10, 2018

    Hello Pam,


    Do you think a plastic mesh would help out to cover and horizontally screen off leaves? It would need periodic cleaning and need to be suspended as not to bother your fish.


    I use a vertical supported mesh like this to try to keep the geese off my lawn at my beach waterfront area. Black mesh is sort of invisible from a distance. I hope this helps.


    https://www.amazon.com/DeerBlock-Netting-Fencing-Reusable-Protection/dp/B00004RA0N/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1536591269&sr=1-1&keywords=deer+mesh

  • Becky Becky on Sep 10, 2018

    I would look at a surplus store. Or maybe a manufacturer of tents. In my town I know right where I would go. Thats it, "Google it". That is what my kids would say.

  • Arnold Christensen Arnold Christensen on Sep 10, 2018

    Make a sturdy 2x2 frame to place over the pond then cover it with netting to keep the birds off of and out of fruit trees. let the vertical part of the screening be secourd with plastic water pipe. Two people should be able to carry it to and over the pond. A nuther though would be to forget the 2x2's and create the frame out of white water pipe. Chris

  • Kc Kc on Sep 10, 2018

    Trying to brainstorm here...don't breath in the smoke...


    You could make a PVC pipe frame, either a large one, or several narrow ones, that would layer over the pond. Don't glue the angle joints. Spray paint to camouflage.

    Buy a roll of dark colored vinyl door mesh screening. Measure long enough to fit the PVC frame plus extra to sew/glue/create rod pockets on both ends (maybe sides as well if the door screening is wide).

    Slide PVC pipe through the screen rod pockets and fit frame together.

    Lay frames over pond to hold most of the leaves until you can blow them off with a leaf blower.

    Keep watch for wild life that could get trapped under the frame.

    Remove and dis-assemble when leaf fall season is over.