SEASONAL POND CARE - SUMMER & WINTER
ALGAE CONTROL - WARM WEATHER
The main problem with ponds is algae. Algae is a green organism that thrives in a high pH environment. Algae can make your pond look and smell horrible. It jams up filters and pumps. It is hard to remove and tough to control. Some forms of algae can remove precious elements from water that help fish survive.Preventing algae is the best form of control. Below is a list of things you can do to prevent algae from growing:
· Shade your pond. Algae doesn't grow well in partial sunlight. Also constantly circulate your pond.
· Keep your pond free of debris. Get out all leaves before they rot.
· Control the pH of your water. The best pH is around 7.5.
· Koi control string algae by eating it. If there is too much string algae, cut back on what you feed them. They will get hungry and snack on the algae. It is nutritious for koi. *Note: Koi will only eat string algae. They will not help with the "Pea Soup" algae. Koi will actually increase the amount of "Pea Soup" Algae.
If you already have algae there are several ways to get rid of it. Below is a chart with two types of algae and the steps that must be taken to get rid of it, and prevent a future bloom.
String Algae "Pea Soup" Algae 1) Scoop it out 1) Run it through a thick filter (such as a nylon) 2) Balance the pH of the pond (ph of 6-7) 2) Use a product such as Pond Clear(c) to clump up the algae so it will filter out 3) Circulate your water (with a pump, or waterfall) 3) Shade the area, and have a constant circulation of water 4) Shade pond 4) Keep area covered and free of debris. 5) Barley Straw 5) Barley Straw
WINTER CARE (Simplified Koi Care)
Cold weather can be a serious problem to koi. Even though koi are very hardy, it is not worth the risk of letting your koi go uncared for over the winter. You must take appropriate steps to insure your kois’ survival.If you live in an area where is may get so cold that the entire pond freezes, then you must create a temporary indoor pond. You may use a kiddy pool or multiple tanks to keep each individual koi in. These should be kept in a room such as a basement, or the garage.
Since this will be a tight environment for your koi, you must keep them very inactive to insure that the pH or ammonia levels do not rise. To keep your koi inactive, have the room fairly dark and cold. Have it drop no lower than 45 degrees (f) and no higher than 60 degrees (f).
Remember that one koi needs at least 60 gallons of water. You can drop it to 40 gallons if you have a good filtration/aeration system set up. Each week change 25 percent of their water. Constantly test the Ammonia and pH levels in the tanks, and adjust them when necessary. Feed the koi only if they appear slightly active, or hungry. Otherwise, do not feed them at all. During winter koi naturally go into hibernation (if the conditions are right) and do not need to be fed.
If your pond does not freeze all the way through, you can usually keep your koi outdoors fairly successfully. Buy a pond heater to keep a hole open in the top layer of ice so toxic gasses can escape. The heater will also insure that the pond does not freeze all the way though.
Follow these directions and your koi may have a good chance of surviving the winter. Remember that it is normal for the weaker and smaller koi to have a greater chance of dying over the winter, so if you are worried about individual koi bring them inside.
