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Essential koi pond supplies

koi pond supplies
koi pond supplies
koi pond supplies  As a new Koi pond owner, you may be overwhelmed with the
amount of supplies needed to properly maintain your Koi pond.
 
While the importance of the majority of these items cannot be
denied, the feeling of being overwhelmed by the amount needed should be disregarded.
 
Simply knowing the function of each item can help you understand why they are needed.
 
There are certain items that you need to have on hand at all times. Because you pond is outdoors, emergency situations do occur.
 
Nature is simply unpredictable at times, and you do not want to be
caught in a situation where an item is needed, but they is no way to obtain it.
 
Filters- Having a working filter is essential for removing unwanted
pollutants, and maintaining proper water quality.
 
If you do not have a proper filter, water quality issues can occur,
which in turn will cause your fish to have health issues.
 
Pump– A pump is essential to the health of your pond. If you water is not moving, there is no way the system can process the water.
 
Moving water can also be from waterfalls, fountains, and other
water features, but in no way should completely replace your pump.
 
Dechlorinator– Tap water contains chemicals that can potentially harm your fish.
 
When adding new water for any reason, you must add
Dechlorinator to eliminate these chemicals.
 
Test Kits– You will need to have ammonia and nitrite test kits on hand at all times.
 
You will need to perform weekly water tests on your water to ensure proper water quality.
 
Emergency tests may also be needed in the event that you notice
discrepancies in your Koi behavior or in the water.
 
Pond Salt and Baking Soda- Pond salt and baking soda are used to
regulate kH and Nitrate levels in the event that you find a discrepancy.
 
Pay close attention to the amounts you are suppose to add to your
pond, which depends on size and the issues you are currently having.
Bags– You must have the proper bags on hand to transport Koi. Do
not attempt to transport your Koi in trash or regular plastic bags, as
they are not designed for this, and may cause damage to your Koi.
 
Unless you remembered to keep the bags you brought your koi
home in originally, you will have to make a trip to your local pet store. Make sure to get bags sizable enough to hold your Koi.
 
Rubber Bands– You will need quite a few rubber bands for each bag you buy.
 
Make sure that your rubber bands are good quality, as you do not
want the pressure from the water to pop the rubber band in the middle of the transport.
 
Net- You will need to have a net sizeable enough to compete with your Koi.
 
You will never need the net to pull the Koi out of the water with, but
you will need it to lead and direct your Koi into the place you want them.
 
Nets can potentially damage your Koi, especially as the larger they get.
 
Paint Bucket– A paint bucket is a better option for catching your Koi, as they cannot hurt your Koi like a net can.
 
Make sure that your bucket is sizable enough to hold your Koi.
 
Koi Staple Food– Like any other pet, Koi need to be fed daily. Talk
with your local pet store or Koi dealer when picking foods for your
Koi, as different seasons may dictate the type of food you need to be feeding.
 
Koi have even been known to eat out of their owner’s hand, so make sure to get food in which you are able to do this with.
 
Koi Treats and Snacks- Like other animals, Koi delight in treats, and will respond in a playful manner to them.
 
Specific Koi treats are available at your local pet store. If you do not mind feeding “human” food to your pets, you may even consider feeding your Koi veggies, fruit, and bread.
Does a koi pond need a pump?
Needs differ between ponds that contain fish, which actively produce waste that is high in nitrogen, and ponds that contain only plants.
A pump helps to keep water clear and full of oxygen, and it is necessary for a pond that has more than one or two goldfish, even if it has many plants.
How deep does a koi pond need to be?
A pond for goldfish or water lilies need be only about 2 feet deep for zones 5 or greater.
Ponds built in colder areas may need more depth to keep the pond from freezing solid. Ponds built for koi should be close to three feet or deeper to allow these larger fish enough space.
Can koi fish live without filter?
Keeping Fish in a Pond without a Filter System (Do’s & Don’ts) ) Small fish can often survive in a filter-less pond, but large fish, such as koi, would require a dedicated filter system.
Do koi fish need filters?
You can use a koi pond to grow water plants, but more often than not, a water garden is an inadequate environment raise koi. … So what exactly do you need to have in a good koi pond? Not much, really. There are five must-haves: bottom drain, surface skimmer, pump, filter, and ultraviolet light.
What is the minimum size for a koi pond?
Well, at three feet deep, a six foot by eight foot pond will yield 1077 gallons. But these are merely the minimum recommended requirements. Also, the more fish you have, the larger your pond should be. A pond of the aforementioned size will be enough for no more than five average sized Koi.
Do Koi need oxygen pump?
Koi breathe by pumping water over their gills to extract dissolved oxygen from the pond water. Depending on their activity level, koi require varying amounts of oxygen. … But depending on your fish load and pond size, plants and a fountain often aren’t enough – especially during the summer.
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koi pond plants the Best Pond Plants for Koi Ponds

Lotus flower

Choosing Plants For Your Koi Water Garden

So you finally finished your water garden construction. You have
finally come to the fun part of creating your water garden: picking
the flowers and plants that will make your water garden a beautiful oasis.

Not only should you consider beauty when you are picking your
plants, but you must also remember that plants provide another,
more important value to your garden, biological life.

Biological life helps maintain your pool by doing what they would do in nature.

Be sure to pay attention to your climate and area. Some plants can simply not survive in certain conditions, so it is wise to do your research before hand.

Talking with your local dealer will give you some idea of what plants you can and cannot have in your pond.

Lotus Plants

Undoubtedly, since your pond contains Koi, a tropical fish, you
may want to keep with the theme and place Lotus plants in your pond.

Pretty much everyone with a tropical water garden will want a
Lotus plant because the beauty is simply unmatched by other flowers.

Lotus plants provide beautiful blooms, and a smell that is unmatched. However, unless you live in an area that sustains
temperatures higher then 65 degree Fahrenheit, you will need to
have to have a place to house your Lotus plants during the colder months. A greenhouse setup specifically for water plants will work the best.

Lotus plants require soil, and a large amount of sunlight. They
should be planted in water about 2 to 3 feet deep during the warmer months, and indoors during the colder months.

Water Hyacinths

If you simply do not have the time to plant and maintain your
water garden’s foliage, or you are somewhat lazy when it comes to
gardening, you may want to consider adding Water Hyacinths. Water hyacinths have become very popular recently because of their simplicity.

They do not require any type of soil or planting, you must simply throw them into the water. Only minimal time is needed to anchor them down so that they do not float all over the pond freely.

Water Hyacinths are not only pretty, but are also very functional as well. These plants aid in the fight against both algae and blanket weeds.

One downside when having Water Hyacinths is the fact that they will take over your pond and yard if you allow them.

Water hyacinths are very invasive, and will spread if allowed. In extreme cases, it may even jump the fence and take over the neighbors yard as well.

Once they have caused this kind of infestation, it is notoriously difficult to get rid of them.

Hidden But Functional Plants

Alternatively, you may want to consider investing in plants that are
not necessary seen.

These plants live below the water line, and provide many needed functions to your pond.

Some help you battle algae, put oxygen back into the water, or feed your fish for you.

You can find these plants in bundles at your local pet store or Koi dealer.

The majority of underwater plants will not need additional support
during the winter, so once you place them in the water, you may not think twice about them again.

However, the benefits that you gain from having these types of
plants make up for the fact that you are not able to actually see them.

Also, the koi pond plants remove nitrogen that exists in the water,
along with phosphates which makes them a great filtering system.

free floating so more difficult to protect from nibbling koi. Water Hyacinth. Water Lettuce. Water Lily. Lotus. Water Poppy. Umbrella Plant. Water Iris. Horsetail.

Here are some of the most effective clear water plants. Oxygenating Pond Plants. Floating Pond Plants.

Variegated Water Celery. Water Iris. Water Cress. Pickerel Plant. Taro. Water Lilies.

The best plants for a koi or goldfish pond, including information on
top plant species, plant benefits, planting advice, and how to stop koi eating

Do koi ponds need plants?

Aquatic plants are considered an excellent addition to any koi pond.
Aquatic plants, in fact, help increase oxygen production in the
water, helping to keep the pond properly aerated for koi. …

The shade plants provide reduces incoming light into the pond and
thus limits photosynthesis of algae.

What plants are good for fish ponds?

Creeping Jenny Pond Plants. Often used as a ground cover in
terrestrial gardens, Creeping Jenny fares excellently when used in water gardening applications. …
Pickerel Pond Plants. …
Horsetail Pond Plants. …
Taro Pond Plants. …
Cardinal Flower. …
Water Lettuce. …
Mosaic Plant. …
Blue Irishornwort

koi pond plants hornwort
photo from aquariumtidings.com

Hornwort- is a very popular submerged aquatic plant among the
aquarium enthusiasts due to their hair like foliage and hardiness.

It is also known as Coontail, cedar moss, fish blankets, horn weed,
morass weed, rigid hornwort etc.

It is native to North America but it has now a worldwide distribution due to the aquarium and pond trade.

It occurs in ponds, lakes, ditches, quiet streams and marshes with
moderate to high nutrient levels where the water bottom contains
mud, some sand or rocky materials.

It generally occupies 0.5 to 15.5m depth ranges of the water body.
It has muscular and hair-like foliage that helps oxygenate and
clarify the water as well as keep algae growth to a minimum.

lotus plant

koi pond plants lotus plants
photo from gardeningknowhow.com

 

Nelumbo nucifera, also known as Indian lotus, sacred lotus, bean of
India, Egyptian bean or simply lotus, is one of two extant species of
aquatic plant in the family Nelumbonaceae. Wikipedia

 

Do Koi eat plants?

Plants for Koi Ponds. … This is because koi are omnivores and eat plants.

This is not so much a problem when putting koi in an established pond with many plants already in it.

But, it can be a big problem when adding a few plants to an established koi pond.

How do I make my pond water clear naturally?

Use a biological filter. A biological filter uses bacteria to remove
organic waste that can accumulate in your pond. .
..
Add barley straw to your pond. As barley straw decomposes, it
releases a chemical that prevents algae from growing. …
Add plants to the pond.

How to choose Pond plants in your garden ponds landscaping

 

koi pond plants As well as enhancing the look of a pond, pond plants help to maintain water

 

koi pond plants koi fish and koi pond
quality, providing a healthy environment for the fish.

The choice of plants will partly depend on the style of pond—a naturalistic pond looks best when heavily planted

around the edges so that it blends seamlessly into its environment, while a contemporary look may be best achieved with more minimalist planting.

A well-balanced, healthy koi pond must contain two types of plant: oxygenators , which release oxygen into the water, and floating plants , which provide shelter from sunlight.

Without these, or an efficient filtration system, the water in the koi pond can become overgrown with algae, which not only turns the water green, but can also affect the health of some fish species, such as Sterlets

Plants in the body of the pond also absorb nitrate— the product of the breakdown of fish waste—which lessens the burden on the filtration system.

Incorporating plants into a koi pond is not Incorporating plants into a koi pond is not straightforward,partly because of the depth of water, and also because koi have a habit of digging up plants and browsing on the growing shoots.

Most koi ponds, therefore, simply incorporate a few tall marginals, and perhaps some water lilies, whose leaves help to protect the fish from sunburn in the clear water.

Planting In a new pond, wait several days after filling before putting the plants in place, to allow the water temperature to rise to that of the environment.

Pot plants as necessary (see opposite), having first inspected them closely for any signs of disease or pests.

In temperate areas, spring is the best time to introduce new pond plants into an existing pond, because aquatic
plants start to grow rapidly at this time.

If the pond is large, you may need waders to put plants in place, and special pond gloves should always be worn.

These reach up to your shoulders and provide protection against waterborne diseases, such as Weil’s disease a potentially serious condition, spread by rodents, which causes jaundice.

TYPES OF KOI POND PLANTS

Plants for the pond can be divided into four categories, based on their growing habits and where in the pond they are to be found.

Oxygenating pond plants, water lilies,and floating pond plants are truly aquatic, growing in or under the water.

Marginal plants are a useful addition to the pond, not only as a decorative element,but also to provide an excellent habitat for insects.

 

koi pond plants

 

koi pond

 

PLANTING STYLES

The plants in and around a pond have a great effect on the overall impression created.

Traditional, formal ponds often incorporate lowgrowing plants, such as water lilies, which do not mask the crisp, neat edges of the pond.

Small ponds often benefit from the inclusion of taller, more architectural plants, such as reeds and grasses, which lift the eye, making the pond appear larger.

 

koi pond planting style

 

Three varieties of water lily (Nymphaea ‘Escarboucle’, ‘William Falconer’, and Marliacea Albida’) adorn this large, formal pond, which is bordered by the tall, elegant spikes of Iris laevigata ‘Variegata’, Canna flaccida, and Schoenoplectus lacustris.

Myriophyllum verticillatum covers one corner of the pond.

The vertical emphasis of the planting in this courtyard pond, achieved through the use of tall marginals, such as irises and rushes, enhances

 

the geometric lines of this modern style, while a single water lily (Nymphaea ‘Gladstoneana’) softens the look and provides cover for the fish.

Creative landscaping Edging around a pond strengthens its perimeter and helps to disguise the edge of the pond liner.

It can also prolong the life of the liner by shielding it from sunlight.

Hard construction materials, such as paving slabs or bricks, laid around the edge of a pond give a more formal look,

while natural stone or sod are ideal for a more informal pond. Another possibility is a wooden deck raised above water level,

but the wood must first be treated with a nontoxic preservative to keep it from warping or rotting.

Consider the access to the pond: if this is across a lawn, regular foot traffic can quickly result in an unsightly muddy
trail.

If you do not want to construct a path, set paving slabs into the grass as an informal solution.

The planting and landscaping around the pond can be used to disguise pond equipment. An external filter, for example,

can be hidden in vegetation in a flowerbed, although it must still be easily accessible for routine maintenance and servicing.

Moving water
A fountain is an attractive addition to any pond, and also creates a healthier environment for the fish by improving
the water’s oxygen content.

Water lilies prefer calm water, however, and will not thrive under the jet of a fountain, so they need to be located at the opposite end of the pond.

Water currents created by the fountain can waft floating plants to one side of the pond; before adding plants, test

the flow by floating a light plastic ball on the surface of the water while the koi pond fountain is operating.

If the ball drifts away from where you want the plants to be, adjust the positioning of the fountain.

 

pond plants

 

Oriental-style koi ponds often incorporate bridges and decorative features of Japanese life, such as bonsai trees and

this popular style of bamboo water fountain (left). Japanese maples create a striking backdrop to the pond, and can be grown in pots or in the ground.

koi pond pond plants

Reference from Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish D Aldeton DK 2008

hardy pond plants

Hardy Pond Plants. Hornwort, Bundle of 5. 3.4. Frogbit, Bundle of 3. 4.0. Water Hyacinth, Bundle of 3. 4.3. Grower’s Choice Hardy Water Lilies. 4.2. Virginalis Hardy Water Lily. Red Stemmed Parrots Feather, Bundle of 5. Jumbo Water Hyacinth, Bundle of 3. Pickerel Rush, Bundle of 2.

Will pond plants survive winter?

No other varieties will survive the winter. After their leaves turn brown, hardy marginals (bog plants) can be trimmed back.

Never cut plants with hollow stems off below the water level,
because they will die if completely submerged (cattails, rush, and pickerel rush).

Will water lettuce survive winter?

Unless you live in a climate that doesn’t freeze, floating plants like
hyacinth and water lettuce won’t survive the winter. …

If you leave them in the pond, the dead plants will decompose and
cause water quality issues through the wintertime.

How do you overwinter tropical water lilies?

Tropical Water Lilies
Keep them actively growing by placing them in warm water with bright light and warmth.

It will be difficult to maintain a minimum water temperature of 21°C (70°F). …
Over-winter a tropical Lily by letting the tuber go dormant. Leave the plant in the pond until after a killing frost.

Do water lilies die off in winter?

Although tropical water lilies do go dormant in winter, they are
only hardy to about USDA Hardiness Zone 9.

They will freeze and die if left in a cold pond over winter. … You can move your water lilies to smaller pots for the winter, if you like. Lift the plant and trim back some of the leaves and roots

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koi breeding for profit How to Maximize your Profits

koi breeding for profit

koi breeding for profit

How to make money with Koi breeding is a potentially very
lucrative business venture indeed, however as with any business
venture, caution, due diligence and patience are all essential for any
degree of success to be achieved.
 
It is vital that the breeder does not become so fixated on the
potential profits to be earned that they lose sight and focus of the
more mundane day to day issues, which whilst cumbersome,
onerous and tedious are vital for the long-term success for the project as a whole.
 
One of the most fundamental issues concerning breeding Koi for
profit is the quality of the parents.
 
The Koi parents will be responsible for producing more and more
offspring, and so if the source is tainted/less than ideal, then so too will the children.
 
Many would-be Koi breeders will gasp upon hearing the asking
price for a top quality Koi parent, in reality however this should be
seen as a business investment rather than a business expense.
 
Professional breeders have been known to spend tens of thousands
of dollars in order to secure a premium parent, and in this business,
it is quality that counts and as an absolute bare minimum figure, you should expect to pay no less than $1000.
 
It is crucial that you are well aware of the various figures and
amounts involved in this business prior to you actually entering into it.
 
Given the high value of this particular commodity, (and the high
costs associated with it as well) having sufficient money both in
terms of the capital sums as well as ongoing expenses is a necessity.
 
Plan your business, your current assets, and your current resources very carefully. In the Koi breeding business, you tend to have to rely upon ranges of numbers, rather than exact amounts.
 
For example, an adult Koi female when pregnant can give birth to
anywhere between 50,000-500,000 eggs and whilst not every
single egg will fertilise and grow, a significant proportion will.
 
You need to draw an average figure as to what percentage of the
laid eggs do not develop into Koi fry, and then write that off as a
bad debt, this will have to be included in your profit margins as an expense.
 
You may need to charge more per fully grown Koi fish in order to offset this drain on your finances.
 
50,000-500,000 is an exceptionally high number by any stretch of
the imagination and even with the percentage of the eggs that will
fail to grow into fully fledged fry, you are looking at a lot of fish that will gradually grow in size!
 
Again, you will need to be intimately aware of the amounts of food
that they consume, in order to ensure that they have enough and do not starve.
 
You may find that some of your fish will grow faster than others
and thus as a result, dominate the food supply meaning that weaker and smaller fry cannot access it.
 
It is these small details that you have to be the most stringent and in
control of, if you want your breeding Koi for profit to have any sort of measure of success. In the words of that timeless adage:
 
“Fail to prepare, and you prepare to fail.”
 
Will you separate the fish from one another as they grow and
develop, and achieve their varying stages of maturity?
 
This may become essential in the event that a small number of fish
end up bullying and dominating the rest of the pool.
 
Having the fish segregated from one another will also help make it
your system more organised and methodical, allowing you to start
additional breeding with newly developed adults, in order to
continue the cycle of growth.
 
However, just because the number of fish being born is increasing,
does not mean that your profit margin is. Make sure that you are at least breaking even before you begin to expand.
Is breeding koi profitable?
Koi breeding can be profitable in one of two ways: 1) You raise baby koi fish and sell them when they are much larger. … Make sure to give your breeding koi couple some privacy when it’s time for them to mate. Koi need a place to lay their eggs.
What time of year do koi lay eggs?
The fish typically spawn when water temperatures are 65° to 70°F. In many ponds, this typically happens between May and June – in late spring and early summer, when the birds and bees start to get busy! Give Them a Love Nest – Like you and me, koi like their privacy when it’s time for them to mate.
How big do koi need to be to breed?
Choose koi that are at least 3 years old. Koi don’t sexually mature until they are about 3 years old. Wait until they are 3 years old to increase their likelihood of breeding and producing quality offspring. Koi are about 10 inches (25 cm) long when they are 3 years old
Can Koi breed with carp?
It depends on the species of carp. Common carp and koi will breed and produce fertile offspring. Bighead carp, grass carp, and black carp might be able to produce viable hybrids with koi (like goldfish do), but the hybrids are likely to be sterile (like mules or koi x goldfish).
How can you tell if a koi fish is pregnant?
How to Tell If Your Koi Is Pregnant
Look at your koi and try to determine whether the belly looks rounded or a bit bumpy in appearance. A pregnant koi will have a very full, almost “bloated” look about it. …
Feed your female koi high amounts of protein before it lays eggs if you are aware of the pregnancy. …
Determine the age of your fish.
How many eggs do koi fish lay?
It is possible though that younger Koi will breed but their offspring will be of poor quality. The female is capable of carrying around 100,000 eggs for every 1kg of body weight. So a female of 10kg in weight will pass 1,000,000 eggs of which 60% will hatch.
Learn more about koi breeding 
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butterfly koi fish you need to know

butterfly koi fish

Here’s a video of my baby butterfly koi fish

how long do koi fish live

Koi usually live around 20 or 30 years. The oldest Koi on record was named

Hanako. It purportedly lived to be about 226 years old.

photo source: Wikimedia Commons

Hanako is probably the most famous koi fish ever in history due to her astonishing age. When Hanako died in 1977 she was believed to be 226 years old, making Hanako the oldest koi fish ever in the world.

Hanako’s amazing story was first brought to light when her last owner, Dr. Komei Koshihara, made a national broadcast on Nippon Hoso Kyokai radio station to all of Japan. Dr. Koshihara explained how he had inherited Hanako from the maternal side of his family. At the time of the broadcast, Hanako was 215 years old, weighed 7.5 kg (16.5 lbs), and was 70 cm (27.6 in) long.

Dr. Koshihara knew Hanako’s age because he had it verified by professor Msayoshi Hiro who worked

at the Laboratory of Animal Science of the Nagoya Women’s College. Two of Hanako’s scales were extracted and analyzed for two months. Professor Hiro was able to count the rings of growth on Hanako’s scales to determine her age.

It lived in a pond that was in a stable area (read low geologic
activity) and was passed down from generation to generation.

how long do koi live

What is the oldest living koi fish?
226 Year Old Koi Carp ‘Hanako’ The oldest known fish (and indeed
one of the longest living vertebrate ever recorded) was a beautiful
scarlet coloured female Koi called ‘Hanako’ (pronunced hah-nah-koh; translated as ‘Flower Maid’).

butterfly koi fish has a long fin koi fish they are also called dragon carp.

They have elongated finnage the pectoral, caudal and pelvic fins.

They are high breed from the common carp,
cyprinus carpio including wide varieties of wild carp races with a
domesticated koi (” Nishikigoi”)

butterfly koi fish was breed in the mid-20th century as a result of an
effort to improve the hardiness of traditional koi fish.

Butterfly koi fish are breed by Japanese breeders who interbred the
wild Indonesian longfin river carp with traditional koi fish.

The resulting fish had longer fins, long barbells, pompom nostrils,
and were hardier than koi fish.

These were known in Japan as “onagaoi” or “hire naga goi”, or translated in English “long tail carp”.

It was Randy LeFever, the son of Wyatt LeFever, a noted koi fish
breeder was credited with suggesting they looked like butterflies, a
trait for which the breed is named.

They are also sometimes referred to as Dragon Koi fish.

For clarification, the word koi is wholly inaccurate for describing these fish;

Koi are, as dictated by the Japanese breeders, Nishikigoi,

butterfly koi fish have long-finned carp are Hirenagagoi.

The word koi has been given to these fish to increase their resale
value and popularity in garden centres and the like

Conformation – The ideal shape of a koi has been set by tradition to be generously oval.

By contrast, butterfly koi fish are naturally more slender.

This difference is amplified by the fact that traditional koi judging is
done from a top-down viewing angle.

Relationship of fin to body – The ratio of fin-to-body is an
important scoring criteria in nishikigoi competitions.

By design, longfin embody a ratio that exceeds the standards
applied to nishikigoi by 500 to 1000 percent.

butterfly koi types Pattern differences – Great energy has been
given to developing butterfly koi versions of

traditional koi patterns, (e.g. kohaku, sanke, showa, utsuri and ogon).

Butterfly koi, however, exhibit these patterns in a slightly different way.

How big do butterfly koi grow in a year?
Their barbels (whiskers) even grow long and can fork into elaborate designs.

Butterfly koi seem to lack some of the body size of regular koi,

but the overall fish can run as long as 36 to 40 inches in the right pond with plenty of food.

They are graceful and pleasant to watch swim.

How long does a butterfly koi live?
The short answer is they can live over 200 years.

The oldest known Koi was Hanako who lived to be 226 years.

But the reality is most Koi fish do not live anywhere close to that long.

water gardens

A water garden can be an elaborate planting in and around a pond,
or something simple in a watertight container.

You can start small, with a hollowed-out stone that catches
rainwater, a watertight, patio-sized container or jump right in with
an in-ground pond with water lilies, fish and a fountain

water quality

Water quality refers to the chemical, physical, biological, and radiological characteristics of water.

It is a measure of the condition of water relative to the
requirements of one or more biotic species and or to any human need or purpose.

pond keepers facebook fanpage

Pond and garden keepers has 21804 members. All about Koi, fish keeping, gardening and pond projects

koi carp

Koi carp (Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus, 1758) are a brightly coloured
fish native to Asia and Europe.

komei koshihara is the last owner of Hanako

The Life of Hanako Koi
While her initial place of spawning is not accurately documented,
in 1966, her last and final owner, Dr. Komei Koshihara revealed that
she spent most of her life in a quiet pond at the foot of Mt.

Ontake in a locality near Oppara, Higashi-Shirakawa Village, Kamo County.

According to the Koshihara, the ravine was carefully constructed by
his ancestors only keeping Hanako’s well-being in mind, a factor he
believes led to her thinking that she was fondly loved by and was part of the family.

Pure water perennially trickled down into the pond, allowing
ultimate favorable conditions for Hanako.

learn more here 

mud pond

What is a koi mud pond?

Koi Mud Pond. Have clear, safe water and the benefits of mud to keep koi fish healthy for less with TerraPond.

Koi fish grow, stay vital, resist disease, and develop brilliant colors
living in ion charged mineral ponds. Mud is the perfect environment for koi and top koi farms raise koi in them.

How big do butterfly koi get?

Their barbels (whiskers) even grow long and can fork into elaborate designs. Butterfly koi seem to lack some of the body size of regular koi, but the overall fish can run as long as 36 to 40 inches in the right pond with plenty of food. They are graceful and pleasant to watch swim

How much do butterfly koi fish cost?

It is also true that certain varieties of koi are more expensive than others. A high-quality 6-inch (a white fish with large red patches) may cost $3000. A high-quality oghon (basically a golden, metallic-colored fish) of the same size may cost $100

How do you take care of a butterfly koi?

Put your Butterfly Koi in a pond that holds at least 1,000 gallons of water and is more than a meter in depth. …
Add sturdy-rooted plants to the pond. …
Keep the pH of the pond at a neutral 6.8 to 7.2 range. …
Feed your Butterfly Koi high-quality pellet food with no more than 30 percent protein. …
Install a heater.

What is a butterfly koi fish?

Butterfly koi, longfin koi, or dragon carp are a type of ornamental fish notable for their elongated finnage. The fish are a breed of the common carp, Cyprinus carpio, which includes numerous wild carp races as well as domesticated koi (“Nishikigoi”). … They are also sometimes referred to as Dragon Koi.

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how big do butterfly koi get

Their barbels (whiskers) even grow long and can fork into elaborate designs. Butterfly koi seem to lack some of the body size of regular koi, but the overall fish can run as long as 36 to 40 inches in the right pond with plenty of food. They are graceful and pleasant to watch swim.

How long does it take for a koi fish to grow to full size?

Koi can be stunted during the first 18 months of growth, but if it is from good stock they can later still grow to 20″.

There are tosia and what some call jumbo tosai. A tosai is basically a first year koi. Fingerlings are a mere 3-4 inches and usually quality Japanese koi are sold as Tosia at a minimum of 7-8″.

butterfly koi types

There are three types of Bekko butterfly koi for sale at Ozark Fisheries. Most often confused with Utsuri, Bekkos are a red (Aka), white (Shiro) or yellow (Ki) butterfly koi with black markings.

Can you keep butterfly koi in a tank?

If you live in an apartments, you may have to keep koi in aquariums for their entire life. That is possible, as long as you do not overcrowd the aquarium with too many koi. Obtain an aquarium that is large enough to contain the number of koi you have. Koi need a large volume tank to thrive.

Buy this beautiful shiro utsuri butterfly koi

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koi herpes virus disease

fish diseases pictures

koi herpes virus disease

KHV or Koi Herpes Virus is a potentially deadly virus which has recently shown up in the Koi industry.

The first outbreak was reported and confirmed in late 1998, early 1999 in Israel.

Since then, outbreaks have been reported all over the world, in
Asia, Europe, and The United States of America.

As with the majority of Herpes type viruses in the world, Koi
Herpes Virus is believed to remain with infected fish for their full lifespan.

Even Koi that was exposed to the virus at one point or another are
considered carriers, even if they did not show signs of the virus.

The mortality rate for fish exposed to the virus ranges from 60 to 80 percent.

When it comes down to it, any Koi is susceptible to the virus. The only real way to prevent it is to make sure that your Koi is never exposed to it.

As long as you are knowledgeable about the disease, the chances of
your Koi catching Koi Herpes Virus is substantially less.

Koi Herpes Virus Facts

Since the first outbreak in 1998, quite a bit has been learned about the virus.

Knowing the facts about the virus may mean the difference
between potentially infecting your pond, and preventing it.

Once a fish has been exposed to the virus, it will always be a carrier. Even with proper treatment, these fish will never be able to go to a new home.

Sending exposed fish to a new home can potentially spread the virus to other fish.

Likewise, adding new Koi into your pond could cause the new fish
to get the virus, and cause a potentially higher mortality rate.

There is no known cure for Koi Herpes Virus.
Stress does not cause the disease in any way. However, stress can cause the disease to have a higher mortality rate.

74 degrees Fahrenheit activates the disease. This is extremely useful
information because it allows for quarantining and testing to see
whether or not fish have Koi Herpes Virus.

The virus can be spread a number of ways, including coming into
contact with infected fish, water in which infected fish swam in,
tools used when handling infected fish, and so on.

Preventing Further Spreading Of The Virus

Once your fish have been diagnosed with Koi Herpes Virus, the
only real way to ensure that you do not infect any other fish is to consider depopulation.

Depopulation is essentially the elimination of your entire population of Koi.

While this might seem harsh, it is truly the only way to completely
eliminate the possibility of any other fish from catching the virus.

When purchasing new fish, it is a good idea to quarantine the new
fish separately from your current population for no less then 15 days.

Knowing that the disease is activated at exactly 74 degrees
Fahrenheit allows you to expose your fish to the right conditions for the disease to show itself.

Koi that live in the conditions for this amount of time and do not
develop any symptoms will have a substantially less chance of having the virus.

It is important to remember that when you quarantine your new
Koi, they should remain under total isolation.

This means that you should not allow anything to come into
contact with the quarantined Koi, especially items that also come
into contact with your current population.

Separate tools, food, and water should be used, and never under
any circumstances, should the tools used for your quarantined fish
leave the area in which they are used.

Another important thing to remember is proper hand washing
procedures when handling both Koi and Koi items within the same time period.

Can humans catch Khv?
People and koi herpesvirus. Koi herpesvirus is not a risk to human health: the virus does not affect humans. carp infected with KHV are safe to eat and handle.

How is Khv treated?
Heat Therapy For K.H.V., The Only Effective Treatment Known. The only effective way to treat Koi that are infected with K.H.V. is with heat therapy. You must have a way to isolate these fish to treat them.

How is Khv spread?
The herpes virus that is responsible for KHV seems to spread in the same ways as most herpes viruses, including by direct contact with infected fish, with fluids from infected fish, or with water or mud from infected systems. … Mortality related to KHV disease typically occurs between 64deg F and 81deg F (18-27deg C)

 

learn more about koi fish diseases and how to deal with them

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keeping a koi pond clean

keeping a koi pond clean

keeping a koi pond clean

Keeping you Koi pond clean should be one of your number one priorities.

A clean pond could mean the difference between you Koi living a
beautiful stress free life, and potentially suffering until they ultimately die.

The water in which your Koi live is not only where they eat, sleep, and feed, but it is also where they use the bathroom as well.

If you do not properly clean your pond, it is almost as if your Koi are living in the bathroom toilet.

The water in your pond should almost be completely clear. Your pond should contain no floating or suspended debris, and the Koi should appear to be floating in air.

If you are unable to see the bottom of your pond, then chances are your pond is not clean enough.

We know that you take great pride in your pond, especially when
you were constructing the beautiful landscape around it, and
picking out flowers that bloom in beautiful colors and have
beautiful smell that are unmatched.

However, no matter how beautiful the landscape around the pond
is, a pond is not successful unless you can sustain beautiful fish within the water.

While ponds are designed to resemble nature, you must remember
that your Koi pond is actually just a really large outdoor fish tank, and that it needs to be treated as such.

Unlike natural water systems, fish tanks need a large amount of care. Filtration systems are needed to maintain water quality, and a
pump system is needed to keep the water moving.

In nature, Koi would not nearly the amount of food that they do in controlled ponds. It is not unheard of for pond owners to feed many pounds of food to their Koi per week.

This produces a larger amount of waste, whether it comes from the
digestion process on the Koi’s part, or the amount of uneaten food that has settled to the bottom and spoiled.

It is important to vacuum the bottom out as much as possible, and
make sure all types of drainage systems are clear and in working order.

Another issue is the fact that your pond is indeed, outside. Being
outdoors, your fish tank faces problems that a normal indoor fish tank would never have to deal with.

Debris can easily find its way into your pond. It is important to skim your pond as much as possible.

No matter if your blame the Koi, yourself, or nature for the pond not being clean, it is important for you to clean it up.

The health of your Koi is at stake if you do not. Even if your water quality is clear, a large amount of debris can cause your Koi stress. Stressed fish are more susceptible to disease and viruses.

Preventing Cleanliness Issues

Above cleaning your pond on a regular basis, adding preventative
measures can also increase the cleanliness of your pond.

Keeping your pond moving is one way to help keep your water
quality up Moving water adds more Oxygen to your water, as well
as potentially keep floating debris for collecting in your pond.

Moving water can be achieved several ways such as waterfalls,
fountains, and pump filtration systems designed to move water.

Another way you can avoid cleanliness issues is by keeping your amount of fish down.

Start by buying smaller amounts of fish as spawning will cause you to have babies in the near future. The less fish, the less waste is involved.

Image result for keeping a koi pond cleanwww.angieslist.com
Follow our 7 tips below to help keep your pond water clean!
Maintain a healthy fish population. …
Don’t over-feed your fish. …
Create a proper balance of plants. …
Choose the right size pump for your pond. …
Clean debris from pond before it has a chance to decay. …
Choose proper filtration for your pond.

Do koi fish keep ponds clean?
While it’s true that bottom feeders like carp (Cyprinus carpio), koi and goldfish feed on algae and insects in a pond, their constant rooting around at the bottom of the pond can create water clarity issues, particularly if the pond has a clay or silt bottom.

How do you clean a  without draining it?
How to Clean a Pond Without Draining it of Water (Best Methods)
Step 1) Skim the Surface for Floating Debris.
Step 2) Clean the Pond Floor with a Vacuum.
Step 3) Supplement with Beneficial Bacteria.
Step 4) Control & Remove Growing Algae.
Step 5) Clean & Optimize Water Filtration.

How do I manually clean my koi pond?
To clean a koi pond, start by scooping out any debris floating on the surface of the pond with a net. Then, use a pond pump to drain the pond except for 1 foot of water so your koi fish can still swim around.

how to clean algae 

Steps
Plant aquatic plants in your pond to absorb algae forming nutrients. …
Avoid overfeeding your fish to stop leftover food from rotting. …
Remove the algae from the surface of your pond with a skimmer or algae net. …
Add barley straw to the pond to slowly kill the algae. …
Introduce algae eating creatures to your pond.

how to clean with the fish in it

To clean a koi pond, start by scooping out any debris floating on the surface of the pond with a net. Then, use a pond pump to drain the pond except for 1 foot of water so your koi fish can still swim around.

How do you clean a koi pond without draining it?
How to Clean a Pond Without Draining it of Water (Best Methods)
Step 1) Skim the Surface for Floating Debris. …
Step 2) Clean the Pond Floor with a Vacuum. …
Step 3) Supplement with Beneficial Bacteria. …
Step 4) Control & Remove Growing Algae. …
Step 5) Clean & Optimize Water Filtration

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indoor koi pond 101 Quick Tips About Indoor Koi Pond

indoor koi pond

Do you want to have a koi pond but don’t have lawn space outside to build your koi pond? You can still build a koi pond indoors. There are much cool designs you can choose just search at google image. Having indoor koi pond is the best choice for koi keepers that live in cold climate areas. For koi owners in temperamental climates, indoor ponds offer peace of mind, especially for long winters. Also, indoor koi pond is best for koi keepers that live in an urban area that doesn’t have enough space to build an outdoor koi pond. indoor koi pond tends to be smaller so it is important that the water levels are correct. Otherwise, the strong pressure could make your koi fish sick or could even be fatal. Install a high-quality water pump and koi pond filter to help keep water levels and pressure safely. I recommend using airlift pump it serves as a protein skimmer too. The efficient filtration should be able to pump the entire koi pond volume of water through the filter in one hour The smaller size of indoor koi pond also affects the water and gas exchange. And koi fish need plenty of dissolved oxygen in the water. So my advice is to use diy airlift pump it serves a dual purpose. Airlift pump can lift water and aerate the water at the same time. Koi fish don’t need to rise to the surface to breathe oxygen. You need also to install a drain in the koi pond.

You can also buy a cheap add-on bottom drain to the place at the bottom of the indoor koi pond indoor koi pond will build up humidity inside your home. This can be a good therapy for those who suffer from cold and dry winter climates. If added humidity is not for you, install a fan to circulate the humidity throughout the house to fix it. You can also add to try a dehumidifier. You can add lighting to your indoor koi pond Koi fish do better in natural lighting it can bring out their natural beautiful colors. Many koi keepers who take the indoor koi pond add picture windows or other means to allow natural light into the home. You can also install incandescent lighting with UVA and UVB bulbs. These will also help any koi pond plants to grow. You also need to keep an eye for any indoor koi pond leaks. Leaks inside a home can cause plenty of damage, so it’s best to always catch them early Find for pooling water on the floor by the koi pond or any other odd moisture. Cheap leak detectors can provide some peace of mind once installed. You can also check out my koi pond construction guide article as your guide on how to build koi pond Do you have an indoor koi pond? Send us a photo via our contact form!

indoor pond ideas

Explore Nicole Spence’s board “Indoor Ponds” on Pinterest. | See more ideas about Indoor pond, Ponds and Water feature. here

 

indoor koi pond ideas pinterest collection of Nicole Spences
indoor koi pond ideas pinterest collection of Nicole Spences

indoor ponds for sale

indoor koi pond for sale

This is a good seller who sells indoor koi pond http://kimsponds.com/

WELCOME TO KIM’S PONDS. Kim’s D.I.Y. pond kits come complete with everything you need to create a beautiful water garden, in about an hour, without ever lifting a shovel.

Available in sizes from small to large you can build a patio pond and water garden, install a fish pond on your deck, or add tranquility with water features in a garden or yard pond! Build the ultimate indoor pond for Goldfish or Koi with any of Kim’s above ground pond kits.

Build a Koi Pond with Kim’s partial in ground pond kit.

Beginning with Kims’ first pond built for her autistic son Zachary’s growing pet Koi, a fish called Molly; Kim wanted to create pond kits that anyone could easily set-up themselves.

Today over 1,000 pond enthusiasts across Canada and the USA have enjoyed the super easy setup, low maintenance, strength, and beauty of Kim’s elegant handcrafted artisan built ponds! Pre-built, then boxed and shipped to your location, you simply re-assemble and add water. We invite you to explore our website to find a pond sized to fit into your space, and built to meet your needs.

keeping koi indoors

Koi grow quickly and get very large. Keep mature koi in an outdoor pond of at least 3 feet deep, with at least 50 gallons of water per fish.

Young koi can be kept indoors in an aquarium of at least 29 gallons. Put the aquarium in a quiet area out of direct sunlight and drafts

Can koi fish live in a tank?

 

Koi are cold water pond fish, descended from carp. … Keep koi in large aquariums for a few months at a time.

If you live in an apartments, you may have to keep koi in aquariums for their entire life.

That is possible, as long as you do not overcrowd the aquarium with too many koi.

Should I bring my koi inside for the winter?

 

In northern locations with extreme winters, some people opt to bring their koi indoors for the winter.

Although koi and goldfish can survive harsh winter conditions, if you have relatively few koi, or if you have a large tank inside to house your fish, you might want to consider bringing your fish inside.

What size tank do koi need?

 

This is the approximate number of fish of a given size you can keep safely in the tank. So, if our 125-gallon tank will hold 1.25 12-inch koi, then it will hold 11 6-inch koi (1.25 X 9 = 11).

It is essential to realize that as the koi grow, you will have to remove fish from the tank to maintain the proper load balance.

Can you keep koi indoors?

 

Keeping Koi Fish Indoors. Koi fish thrive in outdoor conditions, making koi ponds the preferred area; however, for some enthusiasts an outdoor koi pond is impractical or impossible. .. . Much like outdoor koi ponds, indoor koi tanks have some special considerations to take into account.

indoor fish ponds

We’ve been keeping our fish indoors for the winter and have filtration. Do we need to use any chemicals? | Decorative Ponds & Water Gardens Q & A

Posted on January 20, 2018 by thepondguy

 

indoor koi pond by pond guy

Q: We’ve been keeping our fish indoors for the winter and have filtration. Do we need to use any chemicals? Shiela – Norton, VA A: No doubt your finned friends are enjoying the cozy indoors during the chilly winter season. With your tank’s filtration system turned on, you’re mechanically cleaning the fishes’ aquatic abode – which is a great first step – but there are a few more things you can do to make their stay inside a pleasant one. Here’s what we recommend.

indoor koi pond designs

indoor koi pond
Photo from decoist.com

 

Asian-style interiors instantly evoke an image of serenity and tranquil calm.

With most of us engrossed in a fast-paced urban lifestyle, it helps immensely when we can come back home to a peaceful learn more

 

indoor fish pond Open MenuLow Cost Indoor Pond by drum303 Step 1: Initial Design Decide where you will put your pond, and how big you want it to be. I chose to make mine 4′ X 4′. The actual frame is 16″ tall, but the water is only 8″ deep, and raised up 8″. One thing to consider is that 1 gallon of water weighs about 8 pounds. Here is a link to a good pond calculator. My pond holds about 70 gallons (560 pounds). If you place your pond on an upper level of your house, you should try to place it along a load bearing wall. A larger pond should be placed on the ground floor. Please make sure your floor will be able to hold your pond. Nobody can be held responsible for any catastrophies but you. Do your homework. This link is a good place to start. FYI, a waterbed holds ALOT more water than this! indoor fish pond leanr more here https://www.instructables.com/id/Low-Cost-Indoor-Pond/ koi fish care indoor Koi grow quickly and get very large. Keep mature koi in an outdoor pond of at least 3 feet deep, with at least 50 gallons of water per fish Young koi can be kept indoors in an aquarium of at least 29 gallons. Put the aquarium in a quiet area out of direct sunlight and drafts. What size tank do koi need? This is the approximate number of fish of a given size you can keep safely in the tank. So, if our 125-gallon tank will hold 1.25 12-inch koi, then it will hold 11 6-inch koi (1.25 X 9 = 11). It is essential to realize that as the koi grow, you will have to remove fish from the tank to maintain the proper load balance.

koi fish care indoor
Photo from https://www.petsmart.com/

koi fish indoors Should I bring my koi inside for the winter? In northern locations with extreme winters, some people opt to bring their koi indoors for the winter. Although koi and goldfish can survive harsh winter conditions, if you have relatively few koi, or if you have a large tank inside to house your fish, you might want to consider bringing your fish inside. How do you keep koi alive in the winter? The snow, ice, and surrounding earth will help insulate your pond from the frigid air. De-Icer: If your pond threatens to freeze completely, you may need to install a de-icer to keep at least part of the water above freezing. Your fish will need a few feet of liquid water in the pond throughout the winter.

koi fish indoors koi pond
Photo from https://www.dickslandscape.com

koi fish indoor cheap indoor pond

cheap indoor pond
Photo from Shroomery forum posted by smack31

cheap indoor pond framework Just wanted to share my indoor cichlid pond if anyone is interested. The necessity arose when my Oscar started reaching 9″ and had officially outgrown his 40 gallon home. I had originally planned on setting up a 125 gallon aquarium, but after sketching some ideas out and talking to the Mrs, she gave me the okay to go ahead with the indoor pond. 😀 The pond itself is roughly 150 gallons and about 7ft long. The water return from the filter is in the narrow end, which creates a current that empties into what I call the pooling end. The idea was to simulate on a micro scale a stream emptying into a lake. The natural habit of the fish in the pond varies, and this way they can all come a little closer to “home.” The pond is inhabited by a 10″ Oscar named Ludo. With him are 2 female Jack Dempseys (both around 6-7″), a Firemouth Cichlid, a Firemouth x Convict hybrid, a small family of Convicts, and 5 Silver Dollars. rapidly growing varieties of koi—may grow to a length of 36 in (90 cm) by five years of age in this environment. Constructing an indoor pond is very similar to creating a pond outside ), but its location in the home must be carefully considered (see box, below). Raised ponds are the most popular style indoors, especially if small fish are to be kept there, and broad edging provides an opportunity to sit and view the fish at close quarters. Always consider the safety of your design , especially if young children are likely to visit. It is important to have an efficient filtration system in an indoor pond, to maintain the quality of the water; partial water changes are also necessary, because, unlike an outdoor pond, it will not be periodically flushed through with rainwater. Evaporation will reduce the water level, so you will need to top off the pond regularly with fresh, dechlorinated water. On to the build..! read the full article here small indoor fish pond beautiful established indoor koi pond

Achieving healthy plant growth in an indoor pond, such as this well-established conservatory pool, may need overhead lighting to maintain the plants through the winter, especially in temperate areas. Extra heating may also be necessary, depending on the plant species you choose to grow. beautiful indoor koi pond An indoor pond can be a striking focal point in a contemporary room design. This Asian-style koi pond by architects Dransfield Owens de Silva, can be crossed via stepping stones to reach another room. INDOOR POND CONSIDERATIONS

  • Always seek professional advice if you wish to build a large indoor pond.
  • Screen the windows in a conservatory to prevent large water temperature fluctuations
  • Provide adequate ventilation to prevent condensation problems and mold growth.
  • Incorporate a means of draining the pond with no risk of flooding the area.

Can you keep butterfly koi in a tank?

If you live in an apartments, you may have to keep koi in aquariums for their entire life.

That is possible, as long as you do not overcrowd the aquarium with too many koi.

Obtain an aquarium that is large enough to contain the number of koi you have. Koi need a large volume tank to thrive.

how to make a small koi pond

Steps to create your own Koi pond
Determine how big you’d like your pond.
A bacteria tank and some kind of circulating water is your next step.
Cover your newly dug hole with your liner.
Install your water pump.
Install your water filter.
Add rocks to your Koi pond. …
Start to add plants to the pond if wanted.

What is the minimum size for a koi pond?
Well, at three feet deep, a six foot by eight foot pond will yield 1077 gallons. But these are merely the minimum recommended requirements. Also, the more fish you have, the larger your pond should be. A pond of the aforementioned size will be enough for no more than five average sized Koi.

How deep does a koi pond need to be?
A pond for goldfish or water lilies need be only about 2 feet deep for zones 5 or greater. Ponds built in colder areas may need more depth to keep the pond from freezing solid. Ponds built for koi should be close to three feet or deeper to allow these larger fish enough space.

How much does it cost to build a koi pond?
A shallow 4′ x 6′ or 6′ x 8′ professionally-installed pond, including excavation, liner, filtration system, and simple rock border might cost $2,000 to $3,500. As a DIY project, the same pond might cost $500 to $1,000. Larger ponds, depending on features and equipment, can easily cost $5,000 to $15,000 or more.

diy koi pond ideas

If you’ve got a backyard and adding a water feature is your dream, follow it by trying one of these DIY Water Pond Ideas!
DIY Backyard Pond. …
Backyard Pond+Waterfall. …
DIY Garden Pond. …
Stock Tank Container Pond. …
DIY Natural Pond. …
DIY Pond and Stream for an Outdoor Waterfall. …
DIY Water Garden and Koi Pond. …
Recycled Tires Pond.

How do you start a koi pond?
DIY: Create your own Koi pond
Determine how big you’d like your pond. …
A bacteria tank and some kind of circulating water is your next step. …
Cover your newly dug hole with your liner. …
Install your water pump. …
Install your water filter. …
Add rocks to your Koi pond. …
Start to add plants to the pond if wanted. …
Wait the proper time then add your Koi fish.

Which are the best fish for a small garden pond?
List of the Best Pond Fish You Can Keep In Garden Ponds (Big & Small)
List of the Best Pond Fish You Can Keep In Garden Ponds (Big & Small) …
2) Fancy Goldfish (Carassius auratus)
3) Koi Carp (Cyprinus carpio)
4) Golden Orfe (Leuciscus idus)
5) Pond Sturgeon (Acipenseridae)
6) Plecostomus (Hypostomus plecostomus)

zen koi ponds nursery

Bamboo. Zen Koi Ponds is happy to provide premium quality and specialty bamboo. Back to Services Page · Home.

Zen garden, Koi pond stock image. Image of formal, design – 9169301. Photo about The pond of a japanese zen garden with some Koi fish. Image of formal

15 Japanese Koi Ponds For Your Garden – Top Do It Yourself Projects … Contemporary garden Water Gardens, Zen Gardens, Ponds For Small Gardens, Small

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Posted on

koi pond summer

koi pond summer
koi pond summer
Summer is considered one of the best and more vibrant times for your Koi pond. Temperatures are beautiful, and you are more able
to enjoy your pond then during the cold Winter months.
 
However, by no means, should your maintenance drop during the summer months. Remembering a few things during the summer
months will ensure that your pond stays beautiful and lively.
 
Higher Temperatures Cause Less Oxygen
 
During the summer months, the oxygen level in your pond actually decreases. Proper precautions should be taken, especially if you live
in an area where temperatures stay high for the majority of the year.
 
If you witness your Koi hanging out towards the top of the water,
and they seem to be gasping for air, this may be a good indication
that your pond does not have a high enough concentration of Oxygen.
 
One way to keep oxygen moving in your water is by installing water
features such as waterfalls and fountains. The more the water is moving, the more Oxygen is available to your Koi.
 
If water features are not available, frequent water changes will give
your fish the amount of Oxygen they need to survive.
learn more about pond aerator 
 
Watch For Evaporation
 
Higher heat will cause your water to evaporate at a much higher rate. Pay close attention to your water levels and do adjustments as necessary. Remember, you must remove all chlorine from the water you add.
 
Summertime is Parasite Season
 
Not unlike other situations in life, heat brings on potential parasites and illness. The majority of parasites are not seeable by the naked eye, so instead, you must watch your Koi for signs of illness.
 
You may notice strange behaviors in your fish such as rubbing
against objects, scratching, shaking, or shivering.
 
Each symptom could indicate a different type of illness, so it is important to watch closely.
 
It is especially important to pay attention to your Koi if they start
developing noticeable spots or changes on their body. They may also knock fins off.
 
If any type of change is noticed, contact your local vet, pet store, or Koi dealer as soon as possible.
 
While some parasites will cause little damage, some illnesses such
as KHV or Koi Herpes Virus have a high mortality rate, and should be treated as soon as possible.
 
Feeding Your Koi
 
To remain healthy during the summer, you fish will need food high in the types of nutrients that they need.
 
During the summer you should feed your fish a food that in low in protein at least one to three times a day.
 
If you fish still seem hungry after feeding, you may want to increase feeding slightly.
 
Feeding your Koi small amounts of food at a time will prevent food from spoiling.
 
If you feed in larger amounts, some food may remain uneaten, and it can spoil in a very short amount of time.
 
Fish will only eat what they need to survive, and will leave the rest. Spoiled food can cause water quality issues if close attention is not paid.
 
Feeding your Koi actually causes less Oxygen content in the water. During the summer this can especially be an issue, as Oxygen levels
deplete in high temperatures.
 
You can remedy this by feeding your fish in the cooler hours of the day.
 
Summer presents a special time to hand feed your Koi. Children are out of school, and the weather is usually perfect for being outside. Get the kids involved as they will remember it for years to come.
Can koi live in hot weather?
Temperature Range. … Even though koi can survive in extremely cold or very hot water, it does not mean that they do well at these temperatures.
This is especially true if the extreme temperatures persist for long periods of time. Koi tend to do well when their water is around 65 degrees or slightly higher.
How do I keep my koi pond cool in the summer?
Protect Your Fish From Extreme Heat
Shade your pond from strong sun rays. …
Add Pond Aeration to help stablize water temperatures. …
Conduct 10% water changes to balance warmer and cooler water temperatures. …
Condition your water with a pond de-chlorinator during water changes. …
Cut back on fish feeding.
What temperature can koi fish live in?
Koi are cold-water fish, but benefit from being kept in the 15–25 °C (59–77 °F) range, and do not react well to long, cold, winter temperatures; their immune systems are very weak below 10 °C. Koi ponds usually have a metre or more of depth in areas of the world that become warm during the summer, whereas in areas that
What is a warm water pond?
In fact, cool water in a pond is more than just aesthetically pleasing. A pond’s water must be cool for the fish and plants to thrive. High water temperatures are unhealthy for a water garden, and can even be deadly. … Warm water has a low capacity for holding oxygen, while cooler water is usually oxygen-rich.
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pond aerator how to add oxygen to koi pond

pond aerator

koi pond needs oxygen since koi fish consumed all the disolve
oxygen in the koi pond also helps promote the health of your koi
pond read this article to understand aeration

Your Koi need oxygen to breathe, just like you. Aeration places oxygen in the water so that the fish can breathe it in through their gills.

If there is no aeration, there will be no oxygen, and the fish will die.
If you are keeping too many koi in a small pond, or if there is an
overgrowth of algae, oxygen levels are rapidly depleted.

Waterfalls
You have probably seen koi ponds that feature a beautiful waterfall. Pretty as it is to look at and to hear, that waterfall is not there for looks only.

The constantly moving water helps to aerate the pond. If a waterfall is not for you, plan to purchase an air pump.

This, along with one of the pond accessories that bubbles, can help you to get oxygen into your koi pond.

solar pond aerator

solor pond aerator

SOLAR POND AERATORS
Solar Pond Aerators are a great way to aerate in area’s where you don’t have access to power or wind.

The Solar Pond Aeration systems offered by Outdoor Water
Solutions are the best in the Industry.

We can provide more details on each unit and can even help you
design the best solar aeration system for your needs.

We offer a choice of two different solar pond aeration systems. A battery backup solar aeration system is designed to operate 24/7.

The Direct Drive solar pond aerators are a much lower cost and operate when you have sunlight.

Both solar aeration systems work great depending on your pond’s needs.

We have customers who use a combination of wind & solar
aeration or even wind and electricity using our innovative control
box to regulate the systems. learn more here

 

What is the purpose of a pond aerator?

Natural resource and environmental managers are often challenged
by problems caused by lake and pond stratification.

The main purpose of aeration is to increase and stabilize the
amount of dissolved oxygen in the entire water column and this has
a widespread effect on many different aspects of pond and lake health.

How do I get oxygen into my pond?

Add a Pond Air Pump. A very simple way to add oxygen to the pond is to add an air pump.

Turn on Your Fountain or Add One. A very easy way to add some oxygen into the water is to introduce a fountain or turning your existing one on.
Spray Water in With Your Hose.

Does a pond need aeration?

Aeration boosts dissolved oxygen levels. Oxygen is needed from
pond water aeration to sustain your fish, but it is also needed by your beneficial bacteria.

Aeration is important because without oxygen, your pond will go
into an anaerobic state.

How much does a pond aerator cost?

The average annual cost ranges from a low of $150.00 for a
windmill aerator to $775.00 for a high quality electric aerator taking
into consideration all annual costs + depreciation over a given products life expectancy.

Each of these options has a place depending on what the objectives are for a given body of water.

Why do fish gulp at the surface of pond?

If your koi are coming to the surface of the pond to gulp for air, they’re doing more than just saying hi. … Due to a lack of aeration
or poor water quality, your pond’s water probably does not have
enough dissolved oxygen in it for the fish to “breathe,” so they’re gasping for oxygen from the air.

Do plants oxygenate water?

Oxygen dissolves into water from two sources: the atmosphere and from plants in the water.

The primary source of oxygen for a pond is from microscopic
algae (phytoplankton) or submerged plants.

In the presence of sunlight, these produce oxygen through
photosynthesis and release this oxygen into the pond water.

learn more about koi pond here

Do pond aerators really work?
Not only does it improve the overall aesthetics of a pond it also works by drawing amounts of water from the pond and then launching it a few feet above the surface of the pond.

Subsurface aeration works by the consistent introduction of air bubbles from the bottom of the pond.

What is the purpose of a pond aerator?
Besides enhancing pond fish habitats, improving water quality, reducing algae, and removing phosphorus, aeration can also break down unwanted bacteria, help with mosquito problems, and remove foul odors from a pond — all by circulating the water and adding dissolved oxygen

How do I raise the aeration in my pond?
Below are the top five reasons you should consider adding aeration into your pond, and the importance of aeration:
Aeration reduces pond muck. …
Aeration improves water quality. …
Aeration boosts dissolved oxygen levels. …
Aeration eliminates the thermocline. …
Aeration reduces the risk of a fish kill.

How can I oxygenate my pond quickly?
3 Quick Ways to Add Oxygen to Your Pond
Add a Pond Air Pump. A very simple way to add oxygen to the pond is to add an air pump.

Turn on Your Fountain or Add One. A very easy way to add some oxygen into the water is to introduce a fountain or turning your existing one on. …
Spray Water in With Your Hose.

Can you aerate a pond too much?
In a typical pond you could not have too much aeration, in certain circumstances you can get what’s called ‘super saturation’ which can be very dangerous to fish.

In a traditional garden pond you may have a waterfall and some oxygenating plants, as these may add enough oxygen into the water.

Will a waterfall aerate a pond?
For signs that your pond’s aeration is insufficient, look for increases in muck and debris at the pond bottom.

When properly aerated, muck is broken up naturally, leaving the bottom clean and the water clear. If you have fish, and they surface regularly or gather beneath a waterfall, your aeration may be inadequate.

Do fountains aerate ponds?
Pond’s Depth: Fountains can be great aerators when the pond is less than 6′ of depth. … A fountain will only draw water from the top of the water column, which is water that already contains oxygen from the air to water oxygen transfer. The pond’s bottom will remain untouched if it is deeper than 6′

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cleaning koi pond in spring

cleaning koi pond in spring
cleaning koi pond in spring
Making sure your pond is ready for the coming seasons should not
take you more then a weekend to complete, and will ensure that
you have a successful water garden for the remainder of the year.
 
Your Koi pond will literally come to life at the first of springtime. The Living organisms in your pond have spent the previous winter
in a proverbial hibernation, and are ready to come to life at the first signs of warm weather.
 
This is the perfect time to begin maintenance on your pond before
the fish, plants, and other pond life come back to live from their winter slumber.
 
As the days begin to get warmer, your pond will start drastically changing.
 
If you are not careful, you may miss this much needed opportunity to perform maintenance.
 
Generally, watch for temperatures around 50 degrees, as this is the perfect time.
 
The maintenance needed on your pond cleaning koi pond in spring will largely depend on what happened during the previous winter.
 
If the previous winter was hard, chances are you will need to
perform more changes, so it may be a good idea to start as soon as you start noticing the weather changes.
 
However, some spring maintenance will have to be completed
every year, no matter how harsh or how mild the previous winter was.
 
Water Quality
 
You may notice that the water in your pond is extremely clear
when the seasons are changing from Winter to Spring.
 
Do not let this fool you, as there are several factors that will actually
cause problems once Summer comes if you do not remedy these issues ahead of time.
 
During the Fall and Winter months, organic material such as leafs
and plant material may have found it’s way into your pond.
 
While the water seems clear at the time, the organic material placed
a large amount of nutrients into your pond, which will cause a surge of algae growth once spring arrives.
 
If algae was not enough, the large amount of organic material in
your pond will start to decompose, and will reduce the oxygen content in your water.
 
Since your water is perfectly clear, it is the perfect time to clear all
of this unwanted debris and slit from your pond. This can be completed a number of ways.
 
1) Hire a pond professional from your local dealer or pet store. They will have the equipment needed to vacuum the majority of the debris and slit out of your pond.
 
While this is a more costly option, you will have the assurance that
the majority of the problem causing material will be removed from your pond.
 
2) If hiring a professional is not an option, you may want to
consider using a fine mesh net to scoop up as much debris as possible.
 
The only issue is most nets will only stir up the slit in your pond, rather then remove it.
Once you have removed unwanted debris, you must then test your water. Winter seems to cause the pH levels to change. At the start of Spring, your pH level should be an 8.
 
This can be achieved by topping your pond off with treated tap
water which is buffered to be slightly alkaline by your local water company.
 
Maintaining your Fish
 
Spring time is a very weak time for your fish, because they have not
eaten for months, and have may be living on a low level of energy.
 
This cause your Koi to be more susceptible to attacks from
organisms such as bacteria, parasites, viruses, and fungi.
 
This makes Spring the opportune time to take all preventative measures possible.
 
Adding a large spectrum of treatment solutions will greatly reduce
the amount of disease causing pests and material.
 
Once the temperature warms up, another dose of this treatment
will ensure that your Koi will be well protected while they
redevelop their immune systems.
 
Once temperatures warm up, your Koi immune systems will be
effective enough to protect themselves from disease.
How do you clean a koi pond without draining it?
How to Clean a Pond Without Draining it of Water (Best Methods)
Step 1) Skim the Surface for Floating Debris. …
Step 2) Clean the Pond Floor with a Vacuum. …
Step 3) Supplement with Beneficial Bacteria. …
Step 4) Control & Remove Growing Algae. …
Step 5) Clean & Optimize Water Filtration.
How do you clean sludge out of a pond? cleaning koi pond in spring
The way to clean away the sludge is to put in the effort and to use Waste and Sludge Reducer™. WSR™ can help keep your pond looking good and remaining clean for the life inside. Sludge comes from organic materials.
These materials will drop to the bottom, creating a layer over time
Do koi fish keep ponds clean?
While it’s true that bottom feeders like carp (Cyprinus carpio), koi and goldfish feed on algae and insects in a pond, their constant rooting around at the bottom of the pond can create water clarity issues, particularly if the pond has a clay or silt bottom.
What temperature should I feed my koi in the spring?
Stop Feeding Your koi should be in their hibernation mode now and no feeding is necessary. Once water temperature is consistently above 41F degrees, but below 60 degrees, feed with a Wheat-Germ based food. When water temperature is consistently above 59F it is good to change to a Koi Staple Food.
How do I clean my small koi pond?
To clean a koi pond, start by scooping out any debris floating on the surface of the pond with a net. Then, use a pond pump to drain the pond except for 1 foot of water so your koi fish can still swim around.
How To Keep Pond Water Clean Without Filter
Don’t Overstock The Pond. One of the first things to keep in mind when you are not using a filter is to not overstock the pond. .
Don’t Overfeed Your Fish. …
Engage In Regular Water Changes. …
Clean Your Pond Regularly. …
Use A UV Sterilizer. …
Use A Nano Media Reactor. …
Use Pond Dye. …
Have The Right Plants.
How much does it cost to maintain a koi pond?
A shallow 4′ x 6′ or 6′ x 8′ professionally-installed pond, including excavation, liner, filtration system, and simple rock border might cost $2,000 to $3,500. As a DIY project, the same pond might cost $500 to $1,000. Larger ponds, depending on features and equipment, can easily cost $5,000 to $15,000 or more.