Whether you’re new to koi ponds, or have enjoyed a pond for several years, you’ll want to know about three basic rules that will help you create and maintain a healthy habitat for your finned friends. We want fish to be happy and your water gardening experience to be as enjoyable as possible. Once you become familiar with your fish and their basic needs, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying the full benefits of living with a pond. 1. Fish Need Clean WaterYour pond water should always be clean-smelling and have good clarity. On occasion, the water might be green due to suspended algae, or slightly brown due to tannins. Algae is expected in the spring when the plants haven’t yet reached maturity for the season (the first weed in the garden, so to speak. Once the plants begin their aggressive growth, they consume more nutrients from the water effectively starving out the algae. Ponds in sunny locations experience higher algae growth, but this can be alleviated by shading the pond surface with waterlilies. Keep in mind, algae isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Your pond fish will graze on that algae so it’s good to have a little of the green stuff. It’s actually also part of your water filtration system to keep the water itself gin-clear. Too much algae can become unsightly but can be controlled with various water treatments or by hand-weeding it out. If you’re going to keep fish, it’s imperative that your pond have proper filtration. A mechanical skimmer is your first line of defense for removing unwanted debris such as leaves and twigs from the surface of the water. If left to decay, organic material can cause a host of water quality issues. The skimmer also houses the pump which circulates the water and helps to aerate the pond. A biological filter is positioned opposite the skimmer to create the beginning of a waterfall. This filter uses bacteria to break down pond waste, converting it into less harmful compounds that can act as aquatic plant fertilizers. 2. Maintain a Healthy PopulationOne secret to making sure your pond water remains balanced and healthy, is to control your fish population. Sure, it’s tempting to add lots of colorful koi and pond fish to your water garden, but you want to avoid overcrowding. Too many fish create excess waste in the pond water, which in turn can cause water quality issues. As a general rule of thumb, pond fish need 10 gallons of water for every inch of their length. So a 10-inch long fish needs 100 gallons. If you have five 10-inch-long fish, your water garden should have at least 500 gallons of water. Keep in mind that your fish are going to grow so be sure to understock your pond in the beginning. 3. Feed Your Fish AppropriatelyKoi and other pond fish will feed on natural sources such as algae and wayward insects, but they’ll benefit from a quality fish food. Just like other pet foods, not all fish food is created equal. You want to look for food that contains high-quality protein along with stabilized multivitamins and probiotics. Only feed your fish what they can consume in about three to five minutes. In the summer you can feed them twice per day, but in spring and fall (when the water temperature isn’t as warm) you should only feed them once per day. Be sure not to feed the fish at all after your pond water temperature is below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. You can, however, give them natural treats (fruits, vegetables, and even Cheerios) year-round. Following these three basic rules for keeping koi and pond fish will help ensure that your finned friends have a solid foundation to grow and thrive. You’ll enjoy hours of watching your colorful koi and goldfish swim around the pond, gliding here and there beneath the waterlily pads. It’s a great stress reliever and a perfect activity to enjoy a bit of nature in your own backyard with the family. OTHER POSTS YOU MIGHT ENJOY: Comments are closed.
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The Pond Gnome offers Pond Design, Pond Construction, Pond Maintenance, Pond Remodeling, Pond Replacement, and Pond Cleaning Services for the Greater Phoenix Metropolitan area, including the cities of Phoenix, Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Carefree, Cave Creek, Glendale, Peoria, Sun City, and other surrounding communities.
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