Nishikigoi, commonly known as Koi fish, are among the most popular fish kept in backyard ponds and water gardens. While Koi are relatively hardy fish, capable of surviving in a wide range of climates, care should be taken to help ensure a healthy ecosystem for these incredible living jewels. Unlike common goldfish, Koi growth is not impacted by the size of their tank. Even when kept in a small patio pond, most Koi fish will still easily reach two feet in length within 3 - 4 years. This growth must be taken into account when designing any backyard water feature.
Based on extensive experience and feedback received from industry professionals and Koi keepers nationwide, we have identified five key areas of focus regarding Koi and goldfish health. Following these guidelines can help to achieve clear and healthy water, while providing a pristine living environment for Japanese Koi, goldfish, and other pond fish.
1. Pond Design
2. Pond Filtration
3. Koi Stocking Rate
4. Pond Water Changes
5. Koi Fish Food
Pond Design
You wouldn't start building a house without first having detailed blueprints to follow. This same logic should also be applied when building a water feature. Unfortunately, many first-time pond owners dig a hole in their backyard before having a sufficient understanding of all that is required to ensure a pond they will be happy with in years to come. When it comes to building a Koi pond or water garden, planning is everything. With a proper plan and design in place, you are bound to have problems. From poor water quality to consistent algae blooms, to treating sick Koi fish, a poorly designed Koi pond can create major headaches for the pond owner.
A proper Koi pond design should incorporate both a bottom drain and a surface skimmer. For larger ponds, two bottom drains may be required. Pond bottom drains help to ensure good water quality by removing leaves and other pond debris from your pond floor. Aerated bottom drains are also available, which provide much-needed oxygen to your pond water to help ensure a healthy ecosystem for large Koi fish and other pond life. A pond skimmer will remove floating debris, including uneaten Koi food, from your pond water. Unlike common swimming pool skimmers, a true pond skimmer is designed to be fish-safe. Many popular pond skimmers also offer the ability to serve as biological filters as well.
Pond Filtration
There are two types of filtration that are critically important to any Koi pond. Mechanical filtration involves the removal of fish waste and other debris from pond water. Working in tandem with a pond ultraviolet clarifier, a good mechanical filter can help to achieve clear pond water. Biological filtration involves providing a high surface area for good bacterial growth. This good bacteria then helps to ensure a natural balance in your pond, providing good water parameters needed to support Koi and other pond fish. Most pond filter systems will provide both mechanical and biological filtration, however, it is important to choose a Koi pond filtration system rated for your pond size.
There are several types of pond filter systems available. Small pressurized filters are extremely popular for use in backyard water gardens and small Koi ponds. Similar to canister filters commonly used in aquariums, pressurized pond filters are easy to maintain and can help ensure a healthy ecosystem needed for Koi, goldfish and other pond fish. Many pressurized filters are also available with an integrated UV clarifier, which can help to ensure crystal clear water. For larger ponds, pressurized bead filters are extremely popular. Similar to sand filters commonly used in swimming pools, bead filter systems offer a small footprint and can provide exceptional water quality for larger Koi ponds with high stocking rates. Choosing the right pressurized bead filter for your pond can help to ensure a pond that is not only healthy, but also easy to maintain.
Koi Stocking Rate
Koi fish are available in a wide variety of colors and patterns. These variations lead many Koi keepers to continuously purchase new Koi fish, adding them to their ponds. To help minimize exposure to parasites, proper quarantine for all new Koi purchases is highly recommended. As a general rule, all new Koi should be isolated for a minimum of 6 weeks before being added to your main pond. During this isolation period, Koi should be treated for all possible parasites and observed closely for any issues. Once added to your pond, it is important to continuously monitor your water quality to ensure your filter can handle your fish load.
To ensure optimal water quality, many experienced pond builders and Koi keepers recommend limited your stocking rate to one Koi for every 500 gallons of water volume. Truth be told; however, many pond owners do not abide by this rule. High stocking rates make it extremely important to choose the right pond filtration system. Larger Koi fish produce more waste than smaller fish, and also require higher oxygen requirements. These issues should be taken into account when designing your pond. If your pond is properly filtered, a more realistic stocking rate would be one Koi per every 200 gallons of swim area. Regardless of how many Koi you keep in your pond, it is very important to test your water on a regular basis using a liquid pond test kit for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate.
Pond Water Changes
To help maximize Koi growth while ensuring the best water quality possible, it is recommended to replace 10 percent of your total pond water volume on a weekly basis. Simply replacing water lost due to evaporation is not sufficient. Failure to do regular water changes can result in poor water quality and slower Koi fish growth due to the build-up of fish hormones in your pond water. These hormones tell Koi your pond is overstocked and inhibit growth rates. When adding tap water to your pond, it is also recommended to add a chlorine neutralizer to prevent any potential issues.
Koi Fish Food
You have undoubtedly heard the old adage, "garbage in garbage out." This saying definitely applies to Koi food. A quality Koi food will provide maximum growth and color to Koi fish while producing minimal waste. This results in better water quality and less bio load on your filter. Top tier Koi foods on the market include fresh, quality ingredients designed to bring out the best in Koi fish. These foods contain no cheap fillers and can also help strengthen the Koi immune system. Because less waste will be produced, using a high quality fish food can also result in less time spent cleaning your pond filter.
Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/J._Eugene_Jaramillo/1426720