does anyone know how to care for an outdoor koi pond in kansas?

Question

i recently purchased a home with a pond in the backyard. it got cold one night, and all my fish died. when i rebuild it, how do i keep it going?

Answer 1

Hello.

I'm not sure how the climate is in US as i'm an Asian but i will help you regarding your question.

Ahh.. Your fish died. Is it all Koi? or mixed with other fish? I don't think that your fish died because of the temperature.

From what i know, Koi fish can tolerate a temperature as low as 22 degrees Celsius. Is it freezing over in Kansas now?
Refer to this link for more information about koi fish water temperature.

http://www.koi.com.my/cgi-bin/koiforum/gforum.cgi?post=22000


It is a good start to buy a simple digital thermometer to gauge the approximate temperature inside the tank. This way, you can monitor closely the next time. It is not advisable to buy those mercury or alcohol containing thermometer because koi do dash around when they are frightened. Hence, they might, in any chance bang onto it and might break. This will then leak potential toxic into your tank.

It is not necessary to buy a heater and install into your pond. However, the best advise i could give is to ask you to check with your local Koi seller. Make sure that he / she is an experienced. Ask them what can you do if you want to take care of the fish. They will surely willing to help you. =) YOu can even ask an experienced friend of yours whom had rear koi.. Think harder.... i'm sure you have a friend whom does this.. =D

Check your water temperature of your pond. If it goes down to 20 degrees Celsius, you might want to install one heater in a very safe place where the koi won't have the chance to knock or crash onto it. Before that, ask around. A heater is expensive.

About having a deeper koi pond, and its construction, please refer to these sites.. It's up to you.. just bear in mind that garden pond and koi pond is a Big big difference.

http://www.koi.com.sg/KoiPondConstruction.htm
http://www.absolute-koi.com/koi/koi_care.html


Have you ever considered the pH of the pond water? pH is a crucial factor in koi health. In fact, in all living-organisms. Koi likes to be in a slightly alkali water; about 7.5 to 8.5. You could simply buy a pH tester, either paper type or digital [ more expensive] to do so. Any aquarium shops, nurseries will sell them. Ask around ! =D

Here is another site which talks about koi. There is information how to take care of your koi during spring, fall, summer and winter. Read on... maybe, you might find out why your fish died on that very night. =|

http://www.koiacres.com/Koi-Care.html


And lastly, the most important part of koi pond- Filtration.
Did you install any filtration system initially? This is what differentiate between garden pond and koi pond. Filtration in koi pond is complex. However, it's recommended that you go to a recognized and a specialist landscape company which does Koi pond filtration for people. Although it will be expensive, it's really worth the money. Some companies even offer 1 year warranty and worth of maintenace for your pond.

If you want to understand more regarding the koi pond filtration, Refer below... If you want to DIY a filtration, it's not a impossbile thing. Just that, you need to read a lot and master the technique. Maybe you could Join any Koi forum and ask around?

http://www.lifestylemax.com/koi-pond/koi-pond-filtration-system/


Regarding the maintenance of the filtration, you only need to change the sponge and some of the water in the pond.
Refer to these sites for more on maintenance.

http://www.koihub.com/Pond_Building.html
http://www.pond-doctor.co.uk/longmaintenance.htm
http://www.pondsystems.com/news_biofilt.html



After all these have been settled, you can consider adding plants to suit your climate. The purpose of this can neutralise the nitrate levels inside your pond. Refer to these sites...

http://www.lifestylemax.com/koi-pond/what-plants-are-suitable-for-koi-ponds/

http://www.koicymru.co.uk/q&a12.htm


A lot of reasons can cause your fish death on that cold night. Hence, get a good start through all these guides and websites. The best, ask the koi seller and talk to them more.

DOn't lose your patience / interest after reading my post, knowing there are so many things to be done before you could enjoy your koi.

Well, it's like that. Admit it. Good things don't just drop down from heaven. YOu got to work for it. YOu work hard, you get what you want. =) So, go on and do it!

I hope that my post does help you and let you understand more about koi ponds and koi rearing of them.. =)


Good luck in your new setting up of pond!!!


~Respect.

Answer 2

I spent the last 10 minutes typing answers to your questions but it was waaaaaay too long. A koi pond is a huge investment of time and money so do lots of planning and research, maybe speak to members of a local pond or fish club. Remember koi get to be very large fish and Ponds magazine recommends a minimum stocking density of 100 gallons per fish. Whether they stay outside or not through the winter depends on the depth of your pond, as well as where you live. Here in Canada, the minimum water depth is 4ft. although during colder winters, it's still not always enough. Feeding also depends on the time of year. Please do lots of reading! Garden centers are a great place to get information as well as the Laguna website. I would recommend avoiding pet stores because they're rarely trained in pond care.

Answer 3

In Kansas you may need a heater to keep the water above freezing. If your rebuilding the pond make it as deep as possible this will allow the fish to stay near the bottom where the water is warmer.

Answer 4

did your fish really die from the cold? i wouldnt think that Kansas
has gotten cold enough to freeze water solid and kill fish....
please go to Home Depot or Lowes or even the pet shop and get a good book about ponds and fish..believe me this will save you lots of heartache in the future

Answer 5

I do not know about Kansas, but here in NJ, the birds of prey (hawks and ospreys) will scoop them right out of the pond.