I want to ADD WATER TO MY KOI POND, but not change it all?

Question

I heard changing all the water is challenging, so I would like to take some water out and put clean water in... the problem is : DO I USE TAP WATER? should I boil it first to kill bacteria?... please help, I'm concerned since one of my KOI died yesterday and I noticed the water is pretty dirty.

What is water conditoner?

Answer 1

No need to boil it first, chlorine or chlorimines are added to tap water to kill bacteria and the like before it gets to your home. On the down side, this chlorine will kill fish so it must be removed or rendered safe for your fish. That where water conditioner comes in, it's made to render both safe for your fish. Any pet shop will carry it, just be sure to tell them your doing a pond so you can get the large concentrated bottle.

Simple drain out what you want to remove and use a hose to refill the pond. When you start to refill it, add the right amount of the conditioner. Don't worry about going over, it won't hurt to have a bit too much. Spraying the water into the air and allowing it to fall intot he pond is also a good idea. Got young kids? They will love helping with that part.

Don't forget to turn off any filters or pumps before you start to prevent problems or damage and don't forget to turn them back on after! :)

MM

Answer 2

tap water is safe for drinking unless in your area you know that you have to boil your water before drinking it, if so then its bacteria. If you use tapwater add a dechorlinator like Seachem Prime. One capful will do 50 gallons of water. You don't want to change all the water at once, this can shock and kill your fish unless you do it a specific way.

Answer 3

I have had ponds off and on for 15 years. Just use a hose to refill the pond and add the appropriate amount of dechlorinator/water conditioner, such as Amquel, to the new water. It dechlorinates and treats the water immediately. Don't boil, bleach or treat the water in any other way. It's fine as it is.

Answer 4

Tap water is good, to make it simple:

1. use your pump to pump water out ( drain until water level is enough for fish to survive approx. 12 inches.
2. add tap water from hose to desire level of pond
3. add conditioner to treat water, add sea salt to soften water.

for the very best of fish survival:
add live plant such as waterlily (deter algae growth, microscopic food for fishes, abundant of oxygen for fish to breath)

if u think fishes are swimming too much to surface, u can add a bubble machine to help fish breath.

Dirty water does not kill fish, its levels of amonia and nitrate that kill fish.

my pond at home has over 50 kois, 2 turtle, 1 large catfish, 4 waterlily plants. This process is how i use to change water, its been 5 years, NO FISH HAVE DIED

Answer 5

add a cleaner to the tap water 24 hours before u add it

Answer 6

Tap water is fine only if you DON'T boil it. By boiling it you are increasing the amounts of chlorine, metals, and other toxins that could be harmful to your fish.

Answer 7

you can use tap water, but use a water conditioner like stress coat.

Thats the way i changed my water for over 13 years.

Answer 8

get 3 buket fulls of the ariganl watter and mix with fresh thats what i do and iv got over 300 breeding koi

Answer 9

you could use tap and to be safe boil and treat it with fish safe chemicals (local pet store).