Does anyone know how to look after ponds and fish?

Question

Just got a new pond and fish and would like some advice on looking after koi carp

Answer 1

avoid chemicals as much as possible...
create a fish environment...
water flow needs to turn the water through the pond several times a day.
if you live in an area where it freezes over you can float a small rubber ball on the sirface of the water to stop it freezing over completely..
lots of plants
a few bottom feeder fish to keep it clean
ensure the pond is big enough for the fish to be able to move arounf freely and for them to be able to get away from one another as well.
There should be at least one part of the pond that is four feet deep if it is any shallower than that you will need to keep a close eye on it.
In my tanks and ponds I place three plants for each fish and always encourage the presence of frogs....
ensuare plants around the pond are not deciduous or that they can not shed their leaves directly into the pond....

Answer 2

If you are wanting to keep Koi, you will need a fairly big pond as they can grow quite large.
Make sure your pond is well established before introducing your fish.
If you have a well balanced environment, plants etc the fish should be OK.
You do not say in what part of the world you live, but as your address is BTinternet I guess it is UK.
In which case I have a few words of warning : Beware Herons, Otters and Frogs - I kid you not
A friend had his koi carp totally annihilated by an otter a couple of years ago.
Heron's keep the goldfish suppliers in business.
Male frogs during the mating season will jump on virtually anything that moves in the pond, and nice golden fish of about 6 inches in length are just the right size! The sticky pads on their thumbs tear away scales and chunks of flesh, allowing infection to get in.
There are no real prevention measures for these predators, but keeping your pond near to the house, and threading clear fishing line from side to side has worked against herons.
Keeping a dog, might deter Otters, cats won't do as they have a go at them as well.!
With regard to frogs - the only thing I have found that works is removing the fish from the pond during the frog mating season, as keeping frogs out of the pond is impossible.
You may think I am joking, but Koi carp are expensive, and to lose fish that you may have had for some years is a tragedy.
Good Luck with your fish keeping.

Answer 3

Invest in a good pump (one which will turn the water capacity of your pond at least once every couple of hours), an UV light (this will keep green water at bay) and a good filter box (one which stands outside the pond and filter the water after it has been through the UV, but before the water goes back into the water is probably best. Koi are very good at looking ater themselves most of the time, but I find that if you treat the pond water with Algaren and Formaline (2 different bottles available from most fish shops) at the start and the end of each season most pests are kept at bay. I don't knoe the size of your pond, but suggest that you keep plants to a minimum if either your koi are a decent size or if you have a powerful pump otherwise the plants will either get eaten of dragged through your pump. Feed the fish twice a day, but try not to leave food floating in the water as it could rot in the pond and good luck.

Answer 4

Unlike the summer the warmest part of an unheated pond is normally at the bottom. Which is one reason why Koi ponds should be over 4ft deep. Depending on individual fish, you will notice that when the temperature drops they will lay huddled together at the bottom with their fins tight to their bodies. Some Koi can develop pond sores from lying at the bottom too long and may need attention. If in any doubt, always consult your local Koi dealer.

What do I feed them?
When feeding my own Koi, I tend to wait until the water temperature drops to around 15ºC before changing their normal high protein food to Wheatgearm. I use the sinking Wheatgerm because the water is too cold near the surface to use floating food. Refer to the manufacturers guidelines with the particular food you use. Most Koi will naturally stop feeding at temperature below 6°C. Note that temperatures below 2°C can be fatal for Koi.

What if the pond freezes over?
If your pond happens to freeze over DON'T break the ice, it can shock your fish. Use warm water in a corner to gently create a small hole.

What do I do with waterfalls and venturis in winter?
You can bypass your waterfalls / fountains and turn down your venturis to prevent them from lowering water temperatures and disturbing resting fish. Even though your pond still needs oxygen, cold water holds more then warmer water does.
NEVER turn off your pumps and filters (however, if you have a variable pump, you can turn the flow rate down).

Answer 5

you don't say whether this is a new pond on one you have in a house you have moved to

If you are going to have koi you need a lot of equipment you need to work out the gallonage of your pond this is done by multiplying width X length x depth X 6.25 = gallons

you require a filter, pump and Ultra violet light filter for the capacity of your pond then let the pond settle for at least a month before introducing fish the cheap ones you won't mind maybe losing

this is to allow the filter to mature they work by bacteria in the filter digesting the harmful byproducts of the pond and fish

once you are not losing fish then you can start introducing your koi
I prefer to buy small Koi and let them grow it's more fun
if you require further help or advice email me with your email address and I will advise you
or you could visit or contact your local koi keepers club there are a few around

this is not a cheap hobby but it is rewarding

Answer 6

Hi, we have a pond with koi and gold fish, What would you like to know ?

Answer 7

i'd ought to assert that it really is not a issue with it really is digestive tract or it may have killed the fish interior of two years. You fish ought to easily be the pig of the pond and be somewhat fats, or for sure it should be a she and he or she is wearing eggs round each and every of the time because of the shortcoming of a waiting male. both way, if it ain't broke, do not fix it I say.

Answer 8

feed the fish every day and keep the pond clean

Answer 9

get an algae eating fish to clean up algae......

clean up your pond atleast once in three months..........

give good hygenic fish food.........

give live small earthworms so that it keeps the fishes a bit healthier........

Answer 10

keep them clean
and feed the fish
and change the water daily