Anyone know owt aout keeping Koi Carp?
Discussion
Morning folks,
I am looking after me dad's Koi Carp while he's on holiday, feeding them, making sure the pond is ok etc. Anyway I came downstairs this morning to find one of the pumps has jettisoned it's filter material all over the top of the pond. Unfortunately I couldn't do much about it as I had to get out for work, but now I'm here I'm having a full on stress. The pond is now covered in little plastic cog type thingys (calders I believe they're called) and the fish keep popping their noses up through to find food. I dropped a little in in the section that isn't covered in plastic.
So basically my question is, will they be all right? They're me dad's pride and joy, and don't particularly want him to come home find them all swimming belly up.
I am looking after me dad's Koi Carp while he's on holiday, feeding them, making sure the pond is ok etc. Anyway I came downstairs this morning to find one of the pumps has jettisoned it's filter material all over the top of the pond. Unfortunately I couldn't do much about it as I had to get out for work, but now I'm here I'm having a full on stress. The pond is now covered in little plastic cog type thingys (calders I believe they're called) and the fish keep popping their noses up through to find food. I dropped a little in in the section that isn't covered in plastic.
So basically my question is, will they be all right? They're me dad's pride and joy, and don't particularly want him to come home find them all swimming belly up.
Morning,
The idea behind the filter is that the pump draws water in and trickles it over the plastic things, which creates a little ecosystem for bacteria that convert the nitrites produced by rotting material (fish poop and uneaten food) into less harmful nitrates.
If the filter has fired the plastic things across the pond, the bacterial colony will have been disturbed, meaning that bacterial filtration is probably no longer taking place.
If there is a sponge pre-filter in the unit, make sure that it doesn't get clogged up with solids (rinse it in a bucket of pond water, not tap water), reduce the feeding a bit to reduce the amount of waste available to rot down, refill the filter chamber with the plastic bits and have a chat with your local pond supplier about a bottle of filter starter.
It would also be worth taking a sample of water in to the shop to test (unless you have access to test kits). If there is going to be a problem, it will probably take a few days to manifest (nitrites increasing over time), and you can mitigate it to a degree by performing partial water changes.
Good luck.
The idea behind the filter is that the pump draws water in and trickles it over the plastic things, which creates a little ecosystem for bacteria that convert the nitrites produced by rotting material (fish poop and uneaten food) into less harmful nitrates.
If the filter has fired the plastic things across the pond, the bacterial colony will have been disturbed, meaning that bacterial filtration is probably no longer taking place.
If there is a sponge pre-filter in the unit, make sure that it doesn't get clogged up with solids (rinse it in a bucket of pond water, not tap water), reduce the feeding a bit to reduce the amount of waste available to rot down, refill the filter chamber with the plastic bits and have a chat with your local pond supplier about a bottle of filter starter.
It would also be worth taking a sample of water in to the shop to test (unless you have access to test kits). If there is going to be a problem, it will probably take a few days to manifest (nitrites increasing over time), and you can mitigate it to a degree by performing partial water changes.
Good luck.
Honest answer, You need someone from a fish Shop to come out and do a home visit.
It might cost a little, But depending on Size of teh pond it would be well worth it. If the nitrates and amonia build up to a bad level it would be like a human living in a toxic dump. They may not recover.
I know it sounds dramatic, But they aint cheap fish to buy.
It might cost a little, But depending on Size of teh pond it would be well worth it. If the nitrates and amonia build up to a bad level it would be like a human living in a toxic dump. They may not recover.
I know it sounds dramatic, But they aint cheap fish to buy.
Thanks to those who have offered help so far. Luckily me dad should be back later on this afternoon so can look into it, pretty sure he has water testing kits, if not he's very friendly with where he got them from (Stapely Water Gardens in Staffs I believe) so I'd expect they'd help.
I will try and get back at lunchtime to check on them. Take the fish should be OK til then?
I will try and get back at lunchtime to check on them. Take the fish should be OK til then?
This place is fantastic,
http://www.ekmpowershop20.com/ekmps/shops/leecowel...
They have huge indoor tanks and some giant koi carp, some were well over 4 feet long.
They also have a section on the website about how to look after Koi.
Hope this helps.
http://www.ekmpowershop20.com/ekmps/shops/leecowel...
They have huge indoor tanks and some giant koi carp, some were well over 4 feet long.
They also have a section on the website about how to look after Koi.
Hope this helps.
DonkeyApple said:
Does anyone know when koi usually stop feeding? I have half a dozen that have stopped in the last week or so and it seems awfully early as I can't imaging the temperature has dropped that much. Don't really want to keep putting food in if they have stopped feeding for winter?
Remember being told that when the outside temp drops below 10.c you should stop feeding, the fish will also stop feeding themselves, it doesn't seen cold enough yet.Mine have stopped eating, they usually go of it as it cools, have never taken a lot of notice of the temperature at which they stop though.
They’ll generally find enough in the pond to exist.
Would be wise to check the water quality though if you’re concerned (although I haven’t in 30 odd years of koi keeping, and have only lost a handful of fish. Ours are mostly 2’ plus now and breed regularly so the water must be ok)
They’ll generally find enough in the pond to exist.
Would be wise to check the water quality though if you’re concerned (although I haven’t in 30 odd years of koi keeping, and have only lost a handful of fish. Ours are mostly 2’ plus now and breed regularly so the water must be ok)
Robbo 27 said:
This place is fantastic,
http://www.ekmpowershop20.com/ekmps/shops/leecowel...
They have huge indoor tanks and some giant koi carp, some were well over 4 feet long.
They also have a section on the website about how to look after Koi.
Hope this helps.
How about Kois R Us.http://www.ekmpowershop20.com/ekmps/shops/leecowel...
They have huge indoor tanks and some giant koi carp, some were well over 4 feet long.
They also have a section on the website about how to look after Koi.
Hope this helps.
Gassing Station | All Creatures Great & Small | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff