Welcome to Aquarium Central
Welcome to Aquarium Central
Welcome to Aquarium Central
Health of Pond Fish
Pond fish, like all living creatures,
require that certain conditions in their
environment be met to sustain health.
Pond water has to be reasonably clean and totally free of chemical agents. Any new water that is added to the pond needs to be treated with chlorine/chloramine remover. The pH level has to be within reasonable limits and the biological pond filter has to be adequate to eliminate ammonia and nitrites. Pond fish generally stay healthy when these conditions are met.
Sometimes health problems are introduced by new pond fish or develop because conditions in the pond are less than ideal. Excellent medications developed specifically for Koi and other pond fish are available for most pond fish ailments, but care must be taken that dosage requirements are observed. New and better pond fish medications are being developed almost daily for everything from fungus to parasites as well as bacterial infections in fish. Often pond fish medications mentioned in books are out-dated or have been replaced with more effective treatments.
Some pond fish, e.g. Orfe are more sensitive to medications and must sometimes be separated before the medication is added to the garden pond.
Pond Water Quality
A backyard pond or water garden is a little world and eco-system we created that may need our help occasionally to achieve the natural balance necessary to sustain pond life and healthy pond fish.
It is very important to eliminate chlorine when filling the pond. Many products are available to accomplish this. Pond fish cannot live in chlorinated water. A pond filter is usually necessary if pond fish are present in the garden pond. A pond filters main purpose is to keep the pond fish healthy by establishing a beneficial bacterial colony that converts fish waste into harmless water components. It is important not to clean the pond filter with chlorinated tap water because the chlorine will kill the beneficial bacteria.
Nitrite and Ammonia levels need to be tested regularly, especially in a new pond. It may take a few weeks for beneficial bacteria to establish a colony large enough to handle the waste produced by the pond fish. It is usually advisable to add bacteria to a new ponds and every spring to established garden ponds. Start out slowly when adding fish to a new pond, no more than two or three a week, so the fish waste does not overwhelm the bacteria colony. Do not feed the pond fish the first few days in the new pond, so the waste produced is kept to a minimum.
Testing for pH levels is also very important. Nothing in the pond will thrive if the pH is too far out of balance. The pH of the pond should be as close to neutral (6.8 - 7.4) as possible. Other tests, such as salt level and ammonia and nitrite levels can be performed if needed.
Once the garden pond is established it is usually sufficient to test in early spring and every few weeks after that. The pond will generally take care of itself once the natural balance has been achieved by adding bacteria and pond plants, unless substantial water changes are made.
Pond Filters
A good pond filter system is generally required to keep a garden pond or water garden healthy and clear. A Koi pond requires more filtration than a water garden or a goldfish pond due to the large mature size of these beautiful pond fish.
Effective pond filters combine mechanical and biological pond filtration. Biological pond filtration involves beneficial bacteria to break down fish waste and other organic matter. Mechanical pond filtration traps particles in some type of filter media for later removal during cleaning. Good pond filters accomplish both and can be fitted with Ultra Violet Clarifiers for algae control.
It is best to choose an out of the pond filter for ease and convenience when cleaning or servicing the unit. Some pond filters must be installed at the highest point of water discharge, but pressurized pond filters can be installed at any level because the force of the water exiting the pond filter is equal to the force going in.
The pond filter must be sized correctly to insure effective cleaning and purification of the water. Water gardens and goldfish ponds should be filtered at the minimum rate of one half the pond volume every hour. Pond filters for Koi ponds should be sized more generously. A garden pond that receives full sun (six or more hours a day) also needs a more generously sized filter.
Learn How To Properly Stock Your Pond
SAFE ENVIRONMENTS:
Ensure that your pond is safe before you stock it. Also be aware of the needs and the habits of your proposed pond pals. If you are or have built a new concrete pond or block pond, be sure you have sealed it before introducing fish and plants.
Liner and pre-form ponds are free of these dangers, however the water that goes inside them can be lethal.
ADDITIVES:
One of the main sources of danger lies with tap water. Tap water contains chlorine and in most areas Chloramine, both of which can be great for humans but not for aquatic life.
Chemicals such as sodium thiosulphate can be mixed with tap water to neutralize these additives quickly. New additives are now on the market to eliminate the chlorine and Chloramine in the tap water making it safe for aquatics.
Chlorine is quite volatile and will usually dissipate in a day or so. Water movement by means of fountains and waterfalls can encourage this process, but several days of this action would be needed before introducing the first fish.
Chloramine is less volatile and will take over a week to dissipate naturally. The problem with Chloramine is that when broken down, it becomes ammonia which again is lethal to fish at certain levels.
To make a long story short, a good chlorine and Chloramine eliminator is the easiest and safest way to control both.
OXYGENATING PLANTS:
Submerged oxygenating plants will absorb many chemicals in the water, including metallic salts. Tap water is relatively rich in these in these substances. Several bunches of these type plants like Hornwort, Cabomba and Anachris will prove to take the hardness off tap water.
FISH STOCKING LEVELS:
Assuming you are following the guidelines, your water should be clear and free of contaminates. The crucial think about stocking is working out how many fish you can have. To be on the safe side we should apply the following formula for fish stocking.
ALLOW 24 SQ. IN. OF POND SURFACE FOR EVERY INCH OF FISH EXCLUDING THE TAIL AT 70 degrees F. Example: A pond measuring 10. x 15. would have a surface area of 50. . This is 7200 sq. inches. Using the 24 sq. in. stocking rule, you end up with about 300 inches of fish total. Now keep in mind fish grow, sometimes at an alarming rate. So be sure that you are not overstocking the pond as this lends itself to a whole new set of problems. One of which is the ammonia levels discussed above.
OXYGEN LEVELS:
Oxygenated water is crucial to a healthy pond. When the pond has plenty of it, aquatic life flourishes and the pond is clear and inviting. Many cold water fish need high levels of oxygenated water. The Koi are one good example especially in the warmer months. Using a pond aeration device will add oxygen for fish, plants and the good bacteria that need to grow to keep your pond clear.
PLANT STOCKING:
Aquatic plants are an important part of an overall healthy eco-system. They produce needed oxygen, absorb carbon dioxide and provide hiding and breeding areas for the fish. They are an important part of the pond as a whole. Submerged, Marginal and surface plants all contribute in one way or another.
Here is a simple formula for plant stocking: Figure 20 plants for a pond with a surface area of up to 100 sq. ft. 10 for a pond between 100-500 and 6 for a pond above 500 sq. ft. Remember larger ponds are more stable than smaller ones. Build the largest you can afford and maintain.
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