I have a 22x15x4(deep) koi pond with a liner it sits bellow ground, has a debris filter, marginal and several lillies. The pond has been established for two years now. The koi range from approximately 3 large (12 inch) 8 medium (5inch) 15 assorted from fry to 1.5 inch.
2006-07-05 05:10:49 · 13 answers · asked by cbb 2 in Pets ➔ Fish
I also have a waterfall and am aware that UV filters also destroy beneficial bacteria.
2006-07-05 05:23:53 · update #1
Hi,
A while ago I answered a simular question so perhaps this might be helpfull to you..
To get directly to the pond about your algae:
Get it under control: Take as much out by hand/net as you can, but leave a little patch of it under a rock in your pond.
An UV Filter will help controlling it also, however it's not really needed..
Take a copper piece of metal (a fe pennies work great as well) and leave them in your pond.. This will help establish a balance in your pond that is currently off for whatever reason, causing algae to grow..
Then start looking what else might be causing it:
Is the location good? -> Enough sun but also enough shade as well?
Is there any other factors that might influence the balance of your water? Think of mud getting in your pond when it rains, to many leaves etc..
Here is the answer i sended out before to a simual question:
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A pond needs some time to get "balanced", meaning the whole eco-system has to adjust within your pond.. This will take a a couple of weeks so be patience ;o)
If you really are serious with your pond and have the patience, here are some tips that will help you from start to finish with a chrystal clear pond ->
Creating a new pond:
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1) create the pond in an area where you like it, but keep in mind to have some sun as well as shade constantly during the day over the pond.
2) fill the pond up with normal water
3) add about 1 gallon of water you take from another healthy(!!!) pond and add that to your nice size pond.. If you have a smaller one, a little less is already enough..
4) add a biological filter.. The best ones in my experience, are the filters that via a pump push the water to an outside the pond filter and then goes back into the pond. Make sure this filter has a little "bio-culture" in it, that you can buy in many stores for ponds.
5) add the water plants.. You can choose all kinds of plants you like, just beware of 2 things: Do not use bamboo -> the roots are very strong an will eventually penetrate the plastic of your pond, making it leak.. Another thing you have to keep in mind to create a healthy pond-> add oxygen plants.. My suggestion: more = better (but do not go overboard so it will croud up the pond!)
6) When all steps above are done, let this water with the plants sit for about 2 to 3 weeks, while the pump is running.. During this period, do not take out any leaves or sand that will fall into your pond.. This will help building up the balance as well..
7) add the fish to your pond.
Tip: if you like you can have your PH value checked for your pond and if it's to low/high, they have some nice natural products for it. Do not use any chemicals! Do this after the 3 weeks waiting...
Maintaining it:
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when you already have a pond and it's very dirty, take out 1/2 the water and try to clear the bottom from the leaves and dirt.. However, make sure you do not take it all out, just leave about a 1/4 in it..
Then add fresh water to your pond again slowly..
After this point (and it already was!), your pond's bio-balance is totally disturbed and needs to adjust again..
If you do not have (m)any oxygen plants, add these to the pond..
Again be patience and your pond healthy..
Tip: if you like you can have your PH value checked for your pond and if it's to low/high, they have some nice natural products for it. Do not use any chemicals!
Important notice:
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Do NOT use any chemicals in your pond to make the water clear!.. People love to sell this crap and disturbs your balance big-time.. Yes it will become clear but will not stay clear, so you have to spend a lot of money in it to do this every time.. Besides I do not think it will be healthy over a longer period of time for your fish as well..
The only exception for chemicals I ever used is medicine that fish might need (ick for example)..
Conclusion:
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- Location of the pond
- Use many oxygen plants
- Have a lot of patience and love for your pond
Good luck with it and keep your neighbors jealous with your clean pond with very low maintenance!... ;o)
Techie..
2006-07-05 08:57:30 · answer #1 · answered by techie 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The best natural way that I'm aware of is by introducing a fish called a "Grass Carp". Finding them may be a little difficult depending on where you live. I would begin the search with your local outdoor garden store. Or at fish hatcheries if you can find them in your area. Lakes all over the country are regularly "stocked by these farms . It's the type of place that sell commercially. I would not have recommended this if you hadn't included the size of your pond as these guys can grow very large , not unlike the Koi that you already have. 2 or even 3 feet in some cases. Grass Carp can do you wonders. It would be worth your time to do a little online investigation into them. The species name is "Ctenopharyngodon idella"
Next thing that I like are more live plants. They will outbid the algae for oxygen and keep it in check. Good luck!!! This can be one of those really frustrating things
2006-07-05 23:36:05 · answer #2 · answered by j.knapke 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A lot of algae is caused from sunlight and with the way it sounds its outside... you need to get a uv filter maybe you could throw a couple plecos in there if you want they will help. With sunlight you cannot avoid algae its natural but you can control it with some different fish and a filter
2006-07-05 06:29:12 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A UV filter
2006-07-05 05:12:40 · answer #4 · answered by Nunya Biznis 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make sure that the pond is not exposed to the sun...........
Filter always running...........
There should be a falls as well so that the water will move which will prevent fungus or algae........
2006-07-05 05:34:07 · answer #5 · answered by SATJ12 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Kills off all the frogs and turtles for aboyt 5 yeras
2016-03-27 04:52:02 · answer #6 · answered by Deborah 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
straw in the filter.. more plant life in pond
2006-07-05 12:40:54 · answer #7 · answered by peter r 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the past I solved the problem with snails.
2006-07-05 05:24:19 · answer #8 · answered by Greek Oracle 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
aquatic snails. they feed on algae and will not affect the koi
2006-07-05 05:15:09 · answer #9 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
allow less sunlight to reach the pond,
2006-07-05 13:14:39 · answer #10 · answered by Buck 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋