Ornamental Koi are primarily bred in Japan and delivered to remainder of the world. Several years of selective breeding had actually caused advancement of numerous vibrant ranges of Koi however all will need the exact same water requirements. They are relatively sturdy fish and can endure bad water conditions but not for prolonged periods. Consistent great water quality is must to maintain your Koi at their peak condition if you are severe about Koi keeping. A pond for keeping Koi has more stringent requirements compared to a normal garden pond.

Pond Size

The majority of Koi sold are young Koi and averages from 20 cm (yearlings) to about 50 cm, Koi can grow to as large as 1 meter in length. When Koi are judged at Koi programs, size and bulk is one criterion. Koi need space to flourish and some Koi specialists have claimed that growth rate is proportional to pond size and volume of water per Koi.

Simply like in tropical fish keeping, a bigger volume of water or pond would likewise provides more stability in the water condition. Often, this is restricted by readily available area for your pond and normally not by cost. I am unsure about other countries, but in Singapore, my pond home builder has actually told me that I can have a slightly bigger (or smaller sized) pond for the very same price (like purchasing a shirt!). If you are planning to keep 9 Koi (each about 70 cm long), the pond dimensions should be at least that of a king-size bed. Think me, when you are bitten by the Koi-keeping bug, you would not desire to stop at 9! You should go for the biggest pond that you can fit into the available area in your garden or home.

Oxygen level

Koi needs oxygen and so does the germs in the biological filter. Liquified oxygen level of 8 mg/liter in water temperature of about 25 deg C is almost perfect given that it is practically at saturation point. I used a water test kit to measure this. Keep in mind that plants (including algae) in the water likewise use oxygen during the night. Plants take in carbon dioxide and produce oxygen just in the day, during photosynthesis. Some type of aeration in your pond design is a must. Oxygen is absorbed by the water when it can be found in contact with air. Any method to increase the interface area between the pond water and air would be good. This can be accomplished through use of a waterfall, fountain, venturi pipe water return system or air pumps that develop streams of bubbles in your ponds.

Temperature level

There is a requirement to keep the water cool, specifically during summer or if you reside in hot, warm nation like Singapore where the daily temperature level ranges from 25 deg C in the evening to 34 deg C in the day. Warm water does not bring oxygen in addition to cool water. In any case, some shade would be excellent for the Koi. I have actually checked out Koi getting sun-burnt from prolong direct exposure to direct sunlight.

Pond Depth

Pond depth need to ideally be at least 1.2 meter or about 4 feet. Pond surface location is normally limited by the space available in our house or garden. A much deeper pond would enable higher pond volume per system pond area. A much deeper pond would also help keeps the water cooler in hot, warm weather. A deeper pond is excellent for the Koi development however one has to be mindful of the percentage of the depth versus size of the pond.

pH level

pH is a measure of the standard or acidic (alkaline) nature of a solution. Typical faucet water or fresh water ought to have pH level of 7. Water with a lower pH level is considered acidic while alkaline water would have greater pH. Chalk, limestone, coral or seashells liquified in water will produce higher pH. It is essential to keep the right pH level for the right kind of fish. African cichlids which originate from Lake Malawi requires high pH and a rocky environment, while South American tetras and cichlids which originate from the rivers of Amazon require low pH. Low pH or sudden drop in pH level eliminates Koi and many other fishes. It is typically better to have pond water for Koi at with a little higher pH (7.4 is ideal. Not more than 8.0). Water test package can be used to determine pH. Lots of Koi keepers, myself consisted of, put coral and seashells in their filtration system to preserve or buffer the water from abrupt pH level modifications in their Koi ponds.

Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate

Fish produces ammonia as a waste product and a excellent filter system need to be supplied to eliminate this ammonia from the water. The bacteria in the filter will convert the ammonia to nitrite and then from nitrite to nitrate if a biological filter is utilized. Nitrate is reasonably less harmful to fish and Koi than ammonia or nitrite. Perfect levels of ammonia and nitrite must be zero or near absolutely no and this can be accomplished utilizing a great biological filter system. Nitrate level must be less than 25 mg/liter. I utilized a water test kit to measure nitrite and nitrate levels. The only way to lower nitrate is through partial water modifications. Water plants to absorb the nitrate but might not totally remove all nitrates from your pond. Excessive nitrates may cause algae flower and turn your water green. Koi needs to consume regularly and eats a lot to preserve their bulk and grow to their maximum potential. This means a lot of waste matter is produced and need to be processed by the purification system. A guideline is that the size of the filter system must be one-third of your pond size. Specifically designed, all-in-one filter system available commercially might have the ability to achieve the exact same result with a minimized size.

A deeper pond would permit for greater pond volume per system pond surface location. Whether you have a little backyard water garden with just a few goldfish or a large, official Koi pond filled with massively big Koi fish, proper pond upkeep is definitely critical to attaining the crystal clear lagoon that every backyard hobbyist dreams about. Aside from the obvious threats inherent in including new Koi purchases to your pond without sufficient quarantine protocols, over time this can result in your pond becoming hazardous to Koi due to bad water quality. A quality pond purification system is probably the most crucial part to make sure gleaming clear pond water which is healthy for Koi fish and other pond residents. Planting mint along the sides of the pond will likewise help keep the pond tidy as the roots spread out into the pond.