Essential Koi Fish Pond Supplies

Essential Supplies for a Koi Fish Pond

Do you plan to have a Koi pond? When getting into this kind of hobby or venture, it is not enough that you dig a hole in the ground and fill it water, plants and fish.

It is because like any other ecosystem, ponds also require proper care and maintenance to effectively keep a clean, safe and healthy environment for fish.

To help you properly sustain the life of your Koi collection and to help you become successful in keeping them, here are some of the basic essential Koi fish pond supplies that you should use. These pond supplies are proven beneficial in sustaining a healthy underwater ecosystem. These include:

Pond filters

When buying a pond filter, you should choose a system that is sufficient enough for the size of your water garden. Ideally, you should buy something that can hold at least ten percent of the total water in your pond. If you can get a larger filter, the better.

Pond pumps

A Pond pump works by circulating the water in your pond and by driving the pond filter. As much as possible, the power of the pump must be in relation to the size of your water garden. For smaller ponds, it is ideal to have a submersible pump, while a larger pond would need an external pump. To help you run a better water garden, it is advisable to install at least two pumps instead of a single large one. Do not go by the capacity of the pump indicated on it. You should also choose in accordance to the actual volume of your pond.

Pond UV sterilizer

A pond UV light clarifier can kill the harmful bacteria to prevent the growth of algae. When buying this product, choose the one that has a size adequate for your pond size and flow rate.

Pond aeration system

Always remember that every living creature needs oxygen in order to survive, this is the same with Koi pond keeping. We strongly suggest installing an Air Pump As a general rule, a pond with less than six feet deep must use a surface aeration, while deeper ponds must use bottom aeration.

Test Kits

Testing your water is one of the essential activaties that you should maintain throughout, Heres a list of the basic parameters that you should be testing for

Testing for pHThe pH value denotes whether water is acidic, neutral or basic. If the water is too acidic or basic, this can quickly result in the death of fish.

Testing for NO2 Nitrite

Nitrite is produced by useful bacteria during the decomposition of ammonia waste secreted by the fish. Nitrite can adversely affect the health of your fish, even when it is present in low concentrations. Nitrite is decomposed by bacteria in the filter into nitrate that is vitually harmless to your fish.

Testing for NO3
Nitrate is produced by useful nitrifying bacteria in filters of aquariums or ponds during the decomposition of toxic waste (ammonia and nitrite). Nitrate is not toxic for the fish in your aquarium or pond but too high concentrations can inhibit reproduction and growth.

Testing for KH Total Alkalinity)
Alkalinity, also called carbonate hardness or temporary haedness is formed by binding of calcium with carbon dioxide. This binding is important for the buffering of the pH in the aquarium or pond.

Testing for GH (General Hardness)

The GH measures the total amount of minerals dissolved in water. All the dissolved minerals that determine the 'hardness' of the water are essential for the biological processes that occur in your aquarium or pond. If the hardness is too low, this inhibits these processes, and the pond will become stagnant.

Koi Fish Food

Feeding your fish is one of the most enjoyable parts of keeping a Koi Pond. To make sure your Koi are kept in tiptop condition then feeding a good quality feed is essential, don't scrimp on own label brands, instead opt for good quality brand that offers all the essential vitamins and minerals.

All the essentials above are good enough to start you going but there are lots of other advanced options that also can be considered - Bottom drains, Heaters etc etc which we can pick up at a later date.

All Supplies can be purchased at Holiday Aquatics to start you up in your Koi Pond adventure.

Good luck

Holiday Aquatics

www.holidayaquatics.com