Kois Not Too Healthy In New Pond

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Tested water today & everything seems normal and within all guidelines. Now I'm wondering if the turn over ratio may be an issue with oxygenating the water. I have an air pump but hadn't considered having to use it. Will certainly give it a try. I know too much salt will kill plants but doesn't plants help oxygenate the water? Will also get bigger, stronger pump for filter to help in turn over rate.

I'm gonna try anything that's suggested. Thanks again.
 
What did you test and what were your numbers, also what are you using for testing strips or a drop kit? You can still have issues like PH fluctuations if your KH is too low this will stress your koi like crazy.
 
Using test kit with drops by Aquarium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. This is what I use for my aquariums...hopefully it works the same for outdoor ponds. Results: PH @ 7.0, Nitrates @ .25ppm, Nitrites @ close to zero, & Ammonia @ close to zero. Looks normal right?

Been searching & lack of oxygen may be the issue...I hope.
 
fisheatfish said:
Using test kit with drops by Aquarium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. This is what I use for my aquariums...hopefully it works the same for outdoor ponds. Results: PH @ 7.0, Nitrates @ .25ppm, Nitrites @ close to zero, & Ammonia @ close to zero. Looks normal right?

Been searching & lack of oxygen may be the issue...I hope.
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Well Nitrites and Ammonia should be zero, even low levels can stress the fish and cause issues. Since you are showing Nitrate your filter is working but it is not keeping up with your bio load. What is your KH at? When I have seen issues with lack of oxygen the fish are ususlly at the pond surface gasping for air.
 
fisheatfish said:
Tested water today & everything seems normal and within all guidelines. Now I'm wondering if the turn over ratio may be an issue with oxygenating the water. I have an air pump but hadn't considered having to use it. Will certainly give it a try. I know too much salt will kill plants but doesn't plants help oxygenate the water? Will also get bigger, stronger pump for filter to help in turn over rate.

I'm gonna try anything that's suggested. Thanks again.
Click to expand...

It is true that plants give off oxygen but only when they receive light. Once it become dark, plant use oxygen and give off CO2. This forms carbonic acid in the water which can pull the pH down at night.
Low pH results in resting on the bottom.
High pH results in gasping at the surface.
 
After water change today, they seem to be very active...except for the biggest one. Moneypit, I'm assuming KH is for alkalinity which is at 75...acceptable, I hope.

Good info on water plants. Didn't realize the day & night activities for these plants or perhaps all plants for that matter...should've paid attention in biology classes.

Good point on the gasping for air issue...they are not gasping for air.

Would love to see any of your ponds and/or fishes...please post. Thanks.
 
Yes carbonate alkalinity or KH is what will buffer your PH, In the process of aerobic nitrification (ammonia--> nitrite--> nitrate) acid is liberated. This effect underscores the emphasis on kH; in the absence of sufficient buffering, nitrification will lower the pH of the water. I like to keep my KH at about 140-180 this makes sure you have enough buffering capacity to prevent a PH crash that can kill your fish.

This is my pond I built in 2006 it is 8'X10.5'X5.5' and 3400 gallons with another 470 gallons in filter volume, I have 12 koi from 18" to 36" it is heated in the winter.


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Wow! Those are some huge, beautiful fishes you have in an awesome looking pond. Complicated looking filtration system. How often do you perform water change & how much each time?

Moneypit, just curious...is heater necessary? I know it gets cold in Washington but I've seen kois under sheets of ice in winter & they don't really need to eat much if at all during the cold season. I don't have that problem here in Southern California. From the looks & health of your kois, you really know what you're doing.
 
fisheatfish said:
Wow! Those are some huge, beautiful fishes you have in an awesome looking pond. Complicated looking filtration system. How often do you perform water change & how much each time?

Thanks, I do about a 15% water change per week cleaning the settling chamber and skimmer.

Moneypit, just curious...is heater necessary? I know it gets cold in Washington but I've seen kois under sheets of ice in winter & they don't really need to eat much if at all during the cold season. I don't have that problem here in Southern California. From the looks & health of your kois, you really know what you're doing.
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No not necessary but it helps keep the koi healthy, their amune systems slow down and are all but usless below about 45 degrees. Bactiera and bugs in the pond are active below these temps, when the water temps get cold and hover in this area where the koi are less active they have a better chance of getting bugs or bactiera problems. Unfortunatly in my area in the fall and spring my water temps can stay at these ranges for extended periods. This is actually less of a problem in colder climates as the ponds cool faster and drop or raise through these temperature ranges more quickly.


I am just learning like everyone else, when your fish die it makes you want to learn as much as you can. I have had to treat my own koi as the only vet in the area is 60 miles away and wants $600.00 for a house call.
 
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