Clik Seek Articles

by Naomi Ibuki

You probably chose to take care of the Koi species in your very own pond. This may be a challenging task for a beginner but can be very gratifying in the end. Since having a Koi pond at your very own home can be a very relaxing scenery to look at, it would still entail hard work to maintain it properly and you would certainly need to purchase supplies for that.

More often, the concern in having your own fish pond is the water supply. Since these are animals that live in the water, it is necessary that you would be able to provide them enough water supply which resembles their own habitat. It is essential that you provide your Koi fish with enough clean and fresh water to keep them alive and to avoid the fish from getting sick.

If you are to get your pond water from tap water, you have to make sure that you have water filters installed on it.

This is for the reason that some residential areas mostly had their water supply treated with chlorine and other chemicals. These chemicals may be harmful to your fish and could lessen its span of life. With the use of a water filter, you would be able to fitter out these additives before it reaches your pond.

Speaking of filters, aside from your own water filters, you should also include an efficient filtration system for your Koi pond. This would then keep the water clean and free from bacteria which may evolve from the waste material produced by the fish, as well as keep the water balanced for any possible chemical reaction that may occur within the pond.

You should also consider getting heaters for your fish pond to regulate the temperature of the water in the pond. To keep your fish alive for a longer period of time, you also have to monitor the temperature of the water in the pond.

If the water is too cold, heaters can help regulate the temperature to keep the environment fit for a vigorously growing Koi pond.

Find More Koi Fish Keeping Articles

by dawning.ca

As any serious Koi keeper knows, care for Koi is not as simple as purchasing goldfish from a pet store and dumping them in a fish tank.

First of all, that fish tank should be a pond with enough room for Koi to grow in. The minimum recommended stocking rate for any Koi pond is one Koi per 250 gallons of water. However, for those who wish to care for Koi, particularly to ensure their proper body formation and maximum size potential, twice the amount of water per Koi is recommended.

As mentioned in a previous article, it is better to care for more Koi than less as the fish are “happier” in a populous environment. This of course, would require increasing your pond volume.

Depending on where in the world one resides, it is good to keep in mind that Koi construction should keep out predators such as birds and mammals. Shaded trees are thus a good idea to block the view of aerial predators.

To keep water clean of leaves and debris, stringing nets or wires above the surface is also important. This is because care for Koi begins with care for its pond water.

Koi can thrive in water temperatures of 15-25 degrees C (59-77 degrees F). The optimal temperatures however are at 23-30 degrees C (73.4-86 degrees F).

Pond water should be cycled once an hour for filtration. It should maintain a pH level of 6.5-9 and measured to keep a 5% salinity at all times. It should be free of waste material and be non-chlorinated. Keeping low ammonia levels (due to fish waste) is also necessary for to care for Koi. An ammonia measurement of one part per million is considered harmful for the fish.

One of many environmental problems which arise in the care for Koi is that of green water caused by algal blooms.

The nitrogen wastes and other chemicals in the pond nourish the growth of algae and cause the pond to darken or become green. This is not only toxic for the fish but for humans as well. Hence it is best to regularly test the water for chemicals and install proper mechanical and biological filtration and pump systems.

Care for Koi also includes a healthy Koi diet. Koi have evolved to be omnivorous fish with a high tendency towards the consumption of benthic organisms, such as water insects, worms, larvae and even Molluscs. Koi are also stimulated by the variety of eating fruit, shrimp or fish every so often.

Keeping this in mind, however, there are commercial Koi foods that come in pellets or rods for Koi to chew that make guesswork easy. Koi are known to eat more than necessary for their proper growth so feeding must be controlled. More food also means, more waste in the water. It is better to feed the Koi in short spurts several times a day than to give them one large feeding. For aesthetic purposes and in order to give Koi a physical check-up, it would be good to choose food that floats. When the fish come up to feed at the surface it is much easier to check them then for parasites and ulcers.

In countries where the weather above water drops below 10 degrees C (50 degrees F), it is advisable to slow down the feeding and eliminate protein from their diets. This is because their bodies cannot process food as much or as fast as in the warmth.

Care for Koi may initially seem a complicated task for first-time Koi owners. However, its rewards are found in nurturing the healthiest and happiest of these beautiful ornamental fish!

by Eva the Weaver

When water in a Koi pond is clear that does not mean that this water is also clean. Several toxins that can be extremely harmful to the Koi cannot be detected when looking at it. Nitrite and ammonia are two toxins that can build up in the water of every Koi pond, regardless of how clear it appears to be. If you want water that is good for your Koi, than it is absolutely essential to install a Koi filter. And of course you want what is best for the Koi. When Nitrite and ammonia build up in the pound water the result can be very disastrous. These toxic substances build up in the water due to solid organic Koi waste (feces) and urine, along with dissolved waste in the form of ammonia excreted through the Koi gills. The production of these substances never stops. The pollution is quite constant and will go on for as long as there are Koi in the pond. Koi ponds do not have the current and the water volume of natural environments in the wild.

A biological Koi filter is essential to keep these toxins at a level healthy to Koi.

Koi pond filters operate in more than just one way. Of course it is important that solid organic waste substances needs to be removed from the pond as soon as possible, but there is still some manual doing involved. Gravity is very helpful too as it helps moving the pond water with the waste towards the settlement chambers, separating the waste from the water. The water flow slows down considerably because of these settlement chambers. This mechanical stage of the filtration process is very essential, but it should not be overlooked that organic waste does not only decompose when it stays in the water. The same thing happens when it stays in the filter.

The manual need here is to remove that waste from the filter in a timely manner. It is necessary to clean both the water and the Koi filter if you want the Koi to thrive.

The next stage is the one where bacteria become involved. Toxins can be transformed to compounds that are not nearly as harmful. This stage is called the biological stage of the process of a Koi pond filter. Because there are two bacteria types involved the professional will talk about two sub stages. Ammonia can be reduced to a less toxic product called nitrite and the bacteria type involved in this process is Nitrosomonas. Than, the nitrite needs to be transformed to nitrate and the Nitrobacter bacteria takes up that responsibility. These bacteria need oxygen so they are aerobic bacteria. If there is too much sediment in the Koi filter that stays there, than the oxygen levels get exhausted. Only healthy bacteria do their job right so it is important that you keep the bacteria healthy so you can keep the Koi healthy. That is one important reason why you should never use top water to clean the filter. The chlorine in the tap water will kill the very useful bacteria.

Bacteria like these live on a surface. The filter has to have an inside surface that qualifies for that. These surfaces can be made of matting, gravel, Canterbury spar, foam, and hair rollers. Keep in mind that these bacteria do not mature overnight. It takes a considerable amount of time, even months. The purchase of bacteria cultures is very helpful. You can let them join your filtration system.

Sediment cannot stay in the filter. It needs to be removed. Make sure you install a Koi filter that lets you remove the sediment easily. Filter chambers with an extra bottom drain are perfect for the job. Net bags are also a possible solution for easy access. All you need to do than is take out the net bag.

Koi pond filters are not a luxury but a necessity. Stability is the key to a healthy fish population.

by jeremyfoo

It is necessary to use a pond liner to prevent the pond water from seeping into the surrounding soil. There are several types available: concrete, fiberglass, rigid plastic and flexible plastic liners. Each one has advantages and disadvantages, so you need to understand each one and decide what is more applicable to your particular pond.

Concrete pond liners last a very long time. If you want to go for a really permanent pond, use concrete. However, one of the problems usually encountered with concrete liners is that they tend to leak toxins into the water. They are also more expensive.

Fiberglass pond liners have a lifespan of more or less 50 years. They are easy to install and expand for ice and do not crack. One disadvantage is that they look less natural and are hard to disguise.
Rigid plastic pond liners are the cheapest. They can look natural and tend to be resistant to sharp roots or rocks. One disadvantage, however, is the difficulty in installing them. It can be hard to get just the right size hole to lay the liner in and stop leaks and drainage. It is a good choice in warmer climates.
Flexible pond liners have typical lifespan of 20 years. They are resistant to weathering and cracking in the cold and heat. They are non-toxic and inexpensive. This type is good in any climate and, because of its flexibility, is easy to install.

There are some basics steps you must do before installing your pond liner. First, decide where you want to place the pond (see above) and outline the shape and size with a marker like chalk or colored string. Next, start digging the hole at least 3 inches outside of the line. If you are planning to dig a hole deeper than 3 feet you might need to get a permit. Remember, the side of the pond should slope in about 20 from the vertical.

Following this, you will need to fill the bottom with sand and salt to delay unwanted growth and make the bottom more level. I also recommend the use of a liner underlayment. This will help protect the liner form tree roots and other objects that could puncture the liner when its filled with water. Then you put the liner in and fill with water. This task actually requires a little work to get it right. However, it is important and necessary.

by jpellgen

The Koi pond liner is one of the most important pieces of equipment will get for your pond. It’s main purpose is to prevent the pond water from leaking into the surrounding soil.

There are numerous types of liners available. Concrete, fiberglass, rigid plastic and flexible liners are the most common and every pond liner has positive as well as negative features.

Knowledge of the positives and negatives of each will help you determine the best Koi pond liner for your pond.

* Concrete pond liners used to be considered the longest lasting liners. People who were building a permanent Koi pond used concrete to line their ponds. Some of the drawbacks that have been discovered with concrete include the leakage of toxins from the concrete into the pond and the higher price of purchase and installation.

* The fiberglass Koi pond liner is considered one of the best pond liners available.

The average lifespan of this type of liner is approximately 50 years. They can be installed easily and they expand for ice without cracking. Their only disadvantage is an unnatural look and the extra care needing to be taken with the landscaping to disguise it.

* Rigid pond liners are considered the cheapest in the category and they have a natural look. They are considered good resistors of sharp roots as well as rocks but their drawback is installation problems. These pond liners can not be installed easily. It is very difficult to dig the right size hole to lay the liner in. But it is a great choice for Koi enthusiasts in warm areas. They are rated highly in terms of controlling leakage.

* Flexible pond liners have a minimum lifespan of 20 years and are believed to have a firm resistance against weathering and cold cracking. They are completely non-toxic and you can get them for a fraction of the cost of concrete pond liners. These pond liners are best for almost every climate. Due to their wonderful flexibility you can install them with great ease. This particular type of Koi pond liner is probably the most often purchased.

Prior to installing a Koi pond liner you must decide upon the location where you want to place the pond. The procedure is to outline the shape and size with chalk and colored string. Following this is excavation of the soil from the marked area.

If the hole is deeper than three feet you will probably require a permit from the municipal department in your town or city.

Finally you will fill the bottom of the hole with sand and salt to bring the bottom level. Now the excavated area is ready to acomodate your carefully chosen Koi pond liner!

by Eva the Weaver

If you want healthy koi, the most important factor you must keep in mind is koi pond water quality. Koi are long-lived and can grow very large, but they don’t flourish in a poor pond environment. The environment is a fairly narrow range where these beautiful pets will do well. Although many koi owners purchase testing kits, they may not be faithful about testing pond water on a regular basis.

Oxygen is the most important factor in a healthy pond for your koi. Lack of oxygen will kill the koi. If your pond is set up and operating, koi owners assume that the oxygen levels are correct. It is difficult to test for the amount of oxygen in the water, so, if the fish are living and feeding, you must assume that the oxygen level is adequate.

There are some other factors though, that you should be monitoring regularly to prevent an excess.

The first of these is ammonia. Ammonia comes from fish waste. Koi do best when the ammonia levels in pond water are less than . 1 parts per million. Nitrites should be less than .2 parts per million to be safe for the koi. You should also test for the level of nitrates, pH level, alkalinity, hardness, salinity, phosphates and copper.

It is recommended that you change a percentage of the water in your pond periodically. The amount of water that should be changed is approximately 20% at a time. Because the pond is an unnatural balanced environment, even the best care and maintenance will gradually cause toxic products to build up over time. If you change a percentage of the water periodically, the unwanted products are diluted by the fresh water.

You can tell that you need a water change if your nitrate levels rise above 25 parts per million. This is not an exact measurement, but if you are carrying out regular testing on the water, you will be able to better maintain excellent water quality for the koi. The amount of time between changes will vary depending upon the size of the pond, number of fish, plants and other organisms in the pond and its location.

A koi pond will provide years, sometimes even generations of beautiful pets for your backyard area. Keeping the fish healthy should be a major goal. Constant testing and monitoring of the water in the pond is critical for good fish health.

by jpellgen

Koi, which are colorful, domesticated members of the carp family, can be wonderful pets and make the absolute perfect addition to a garden pond. And while they are beautiful to look at and have interesting behaviors to watch, there are several things you should know about proper Koi care in order to have happy, healthy fish that will live and thrive for many years.

One of the very first things to keep in mind about Koi care is the great importance of acclimating new fish to their environment. Acclimating is the process that slowly allows Koi to get used to different conditions, equalizing pH levels and the temperature between two water sources.

To acclimate your Koi after bringing them home from the store or breeders, float their bag for about 15 minutes to allow the water temperature in the bag to match the pond’s. Open the bag and add some pond water and allow the bag to float again for another 15 minutes.

Now repeat the entire process once more before putting the fish into their new home, making sure to empty out the water from the bag somewhere other than your pond.

Experts on Koi care also recommend quarantining new fish for a period of roughly three to four weeks in addition to acclimating them to different water conditions. The reason for this is simple, new Koi may be carrying parasitic or bacterial infections that will spread to the other fish in your pond, which is also why you should empty out the water from the bag into the grass or drainpipe.

Koi Care and Feeding

Another essential part of Koi care involves their nutritional needs and feeding. The amount of food you should give your Koi will depend on a number of variables including the size of their pond and filter, how often the filter is cleaned, how many fish are housed in the pond, and also the season of the year.

Obviously, the more you feed your fish the more waste they will produce and therefore, the more often their filtration system will need cleaned and cared for.

Be careful to not overfeed Koi as this will tax the filter, affect water conditions, and also cause the Koi to become overweight and possibly suffer from ensuing health problems.

Most Koi owners say they feed their fish anywhere from two to five times per day, depending on their growing phase and the time of year, of course.

Seasonal Koi Care Throughout the Year

Koi care involves many different things depending on what time of year it is as some of their needs change based on the season and temperature. In the spring, proper Koi care is crucial as now several factors come into play that may adversely affect their health. Fluctuations in water temperature causes too much stress for the fish, so now is the time to watch for things like ulcers, sores, or unusually sluggish behavior.

By nature, Koi eat as much as possible during the summer months to prepare for the leaner, colder months ahead when food may not be as readily available. Because of this you will need to make sure your fish are getting plenty of protein and will probably have to feed them three to five times per day.

In the fall when water temperature begins to drop, you’ll notice your fish becoming less active, which is completely normal. Koi do not need to eat during the winter and will survive from the excess body fat they’ve built up throughout the rest of the year so it’s not necessary to feed them once the water temperature dips below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

With the proper care and some knowledge about these fascinating, vibrant fish, you should be able to enjoy your Koi pond for many years to come.

by dolescum

Koi care is actually fairly simple and can be easily managed by exercising a little forethought. Creating a relaxing environment with your Koi pond can add to your quality of life as well. Their brilliant colors and agreeable manners make the Koi fish very enjoyable and soothing to have around.

It is important to pay attention to how big your Koi get; especially if you decide to start with a smaller pond. They can get to be quite large and thrive best in ponds with 500 gallons or more. If your fish get too large you should either trade them in for smaller fish or create a new pond.

Koi stay healthier in a larger environment and you need to stay aware of how many fish you keep relative to how much water you have in your pond. Water quality is the most important factor in Koi care. Keep the water moving with a quality pump and have it flowing through a filter to remove the waste produced by the fish.

The Koi is a cold water fish and enjoy water temperatures of between 61 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

Year round climate temperatures are also an important consideration.

Koi fish thrive in colder water and can be left outside in the winter. Three feet deep is the minimum depth for any Koi pond. The Koi will start their winter hibernation as the temperatures outside go down. When the hibernation process begins their digestive system comes to a halt. Food left over in their system can become rancid.

Because of, this 50 degrees is the cutoff point. Koi fish should not be fed when the temperature of the water is 50 degrees and below.

The Japanese began breeding the common carp in the early 1800′s. As a matter of fact the word “Koi” comes from the Japanese word for carp.

They found that the environment and diet play an important role in the color of the Koi fish.

Silver, black, white, orange, red, green and blue are all colors that have been noted in these fish. They also exhibit many beautiful patterns as well. The Japanese breeders showed extreme patience when developing the breed, taking into account all the factors that affect the Koi.

Koi aren’t necessarily a “schooling” fish although they are very social. They get along well with all breeds as long as the others are big enough not to get eaten! The Koi is an omnivore, meaning that meat,as well as vegetation, is fair game to them. If the pond is small the Koi may seem to group together, but they will stay by themselves or in small groups if the pond is larger.

Koi can be found swimming in over 1 million ponds worldwide making them one of the most popular freshwater pond fish. The oldest aged Koi fish ever recorded was 226 years old. They can also be trained to eat out of your hand. Because of their brilliant colors, easy care and pleasing disposition the Koi is a quality choice for any outdoor pond!

Related Koi Fish Keeping Articles

by jpellgen

Koi are actually very hardy fish. Even so, koi do have some basic requirements to stay healthy and disease free. Here are three elements that are crucial in koi maintenance.

First, what you feed your koi is very important. The most common problem with koi is overfeeding. The problem is not that the koi overeat, the problem is that the excess food in the pond water becomes infected with bacteria. That bacteria is what harms the koi. What this means is that as long as you are feeding a high-quality pellet or flake food, your koi will be fine as long as you keep the feedings small. Make sure your koi eat everything put into the water within five minutes.

The five-minute rule does not apply to treats such as citrus slices which can float in the pond for up to a day. After one day, fish out whatever is left of the citrus and throw it away.

Better yet, throw it into your compost pile.

Also remember that during the cold months, fish in general will eat almost nothing. Be sure the food for your koi does not stay in the pond even in the winter. Even though bacterial growth is greatly retarded during the winter, it still occurs.

Secondly, check your koi filter system regularly to make sure it is working properly. The more often the filters are cleaned, the less hard your equipment has to work and the longer it will last. As you clean your filters, make a mental note about the material in the filter. Watch for significant changes in the material caught in the filter as it could be an indicator of a problem in the making. Color changes, change in size of material or a significant smell or odor can be a significant indicator of a problem.

Gravel or sand in the filter that was not there before could indicate a broken line. A strong odor could indicate that something is rotting in the pond that you can’t see. Other changes can give you a heads up that will save you a lot of time and money to correct when caught early.

Third, inspect your koi daily. This just means to look at your koi watching for small problems before they become big problems. Removing the koi from the pond is very stressful for the fish. Never take koi out of the pond unless it is absolutely necessary. However, observation of the fish will show if the fish is swimming straight, if the fish is stopping frequently and allowing itself to float to the surface and if there is any suspicious growths on the fish. If you spot something strange, try to get a photograph of the problem and take it to your veterinarian or to a local expert to see if it can be diagnosed without moving the fish. As a responsible koi owner, you can also train yourself to become more knowledgeable about koi management. If you are fortunate enough to be near a koi farm, take advantage of the situation and observe how the farm manages their fish.

These three simple steps will serve you well in basic koi maintenance.

More Koi Fish Keeping Articles

by locket479

It used to be that heating a Koi pond was only done by very high end Koi keepers. It used to be very expensive and Koi for the most part were mainly kept in climates that did not need heating in the cold months. Today Koi are being kept in much colder climates and the cost of heating a Koi pond is much less.

My advice to most Koi owners is unless you live in the warmest of climates, consider heating your pond. By heating we’re not just talking about keeping it ice free in the winter. You want to maintain a minimum temperature of 54 – 57F. This will reduce dangerous fluctuations in temperature and allow your Koi to feed all year long. Remember that most of the fish that being imported into the colder climates have not been exposed to low temperatures in the cold months. Heating could prevent many and safeguard the health of your fish. You’ve made the investment, why not protect it.

There are basically two ways to heat your Koi pond.

The simplest to install and most efficient is the inline electric water heater. The heater is fitted into the return pipe after the external pump if one is used in a gravity-fed system. You should figure about one kilowatt of electrical power per 1,000 gallons of water. Depending on the ambient temperature of the water this might vary. I always suggest getting a heater a little more powerful than you need so that it won’t have to run continuously in the coldest months.

The other option that you have is a heat exchanger system. Although they are more expensive to buy and install they are cheaper in operating expense. The heat exchanger is basically a radiator that pond water is pumped through to warm. The water in the radiator is heated by a small boiler that is fired by natural gas, electricity or oil.

Whether you heat your Koi pond or not, it is always a good idea to cover it in the cold months. Just don’t make it to air tight. The best covers have zipped openings to allow gases that build up to escape and to allow access to the fish if needed.