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Posted by Douglas DuHamel Jun 17, 2008 |
Here are things you can do to your pond in order to avoid unnecessary death of your fish. Do not overstock your pond. The rule of thumb is one Koi per every 1000 liters of water.
Long term power failure can deplete the pond of oxygen. If your area is prone to power failures, you may want to consider using an emergency generator. If you live in higher altitudes, it is more difficult to oxygenate your water. Don’t let your pond water get too warm. Fish are cold-blooded animals so when the water temperatures rise, their metabolic rate increases which means they need more oxygen.
To keep pond water temperature down, plant shade trees near the pond. You can also install a water pipe system that will push cold water into your pond when there is a need. Don’t let algae build up in your pond. If you have a green pond, it reduces the supply of oxygen. It also makes your fish more susceptible to disease.
Make sure your pond is well aerated. Waterfalls or fountains may be good for the surface but you need to get the oxygen to the bottom of the pond. This can be achieved by creating vertical circulation in the pond.
The easiest and cheapest way is to use air stones or curtains. Another way which seems better is to put in power heads in several locations. Be sure to use power heads suited for pond use. They must be able to put out 3000 to 4000 gallons of water an hour.
If used correctly, the power heads will give your pond more filtration. With these pointers, it should reduce the mortality rate of your Koi.