Tag Archives: koi pond maintenance

Before you get started on the construction of a koi pond in your garden, you should become familiar with koi pond maintenance and all the work this involves. Koi ponds are beautiful and can add an element of peace and serenity to any garden. However, they also require a lot of upkeep and care. You should make sure you are prepared for the costs and commitment of having a koi pond on your property.

We have compiled here a comprehensive guide for taking care of your koi fish and pond, as well as the types of koi pond services you might need to seek from a professional team.

Keep reading to learn how to take care of these amazing fish and keep their ecosystem thriving.

Types of Koi Fish

Koi fish are beautiful and striking animals that live in schools of between five and fifteen fish. They are active fish that will take advantage of every inch of the pond, from the bottom to the surface. Most koi have barbels on either side of their heads with a rounded mouth that allows them to swallow their prey.

There are a few main types of koi that you will probably come across when looking to fill your fountain, these are:

Japanese Koi Fish: These are perhaps the most common type of koi found in garden ponds. They are white with red and orange markings.
Butterfly Koi Fish: Butterfly koi are very valuable and beautiful. They can be many different colors and have strikingly long fins.
Dragon Koi Fish: Sometimes ‘dragon koi’ is another name for butterfly koi. However, there is also a variety called Kumonryu, whose black and white markings change with the seasons.
Gold Koi Fish: Like butterfly koi, gold koi are highly sought after for the fact that they are entirely covered in gold scales.

Koi Fish Food

In general, koi fish eat a similar diet to many other fish, eating plant material, algae, and insects. If you properly maintain your koi pond, the fish should easily be able to satisfy their large appetites.

You should aim to provide your koi with both commercial food and an ecosystem that will provide them with natural food options. This will require a good amount of algae and vegetation in the pond throughout the year.

Read More: How to Build an Algae-Free Fish Pond

Since they also eat zooplankton, you should purchase water fleas or brine shrimp, which will fill this gap in their diet.

Food specially made for koi fish will provide the fish with lots of protein and will help maintain their overall health.

If you are worried about forgetting to feed your fish throughout the day, consider purchasing an automatic feeder so the koi never go hungry.

Type of Pond

While koi fish will not require too much human intervention to survive, their habitat does need to large enough to encourage plant growth and to give them enough room to thrive.

It’s very important that the pond’s temperature remains stable. Koi survive during the winter by swimming close to the bottom of the pond. However, this is a slow temperature change across many months. They will not fare well with dramatic fluctuations in temperature. This means the pond should be at least three feet deep.

If you are worried that predators like birds or raccoons might be a threat to your koi, you should drape a net across the pond’s surface or construct a pond with steep edges and plants along the side.

Water Quality

Specialized varieties of koi fish can lead to in-breeding of the fish, causing the fish to be sensitive to their environments. Many koi require the water they swim in to be closely monitored and properly maintained.

While you should check with the seller of your koi, the following is what is recommended for the average garden koi pond.

Stable pH level between 6.9 and 8.2: This will ensure your pond does not become too acidic or too alkaline for the fish.
Water hardness: Hard water contains more minerals, like magnesium and calcium, than soft water. While water hardness is not as important as other water quality measures, it’s still a good idea to keep the general hardness between 60 and 160 ppm.
Nitrate-free and ammonia-free: Ammonia and nitrates can have serious effects on the health of your koi fish. When ammonia is in the pond water, it burns the gills of the koi and high levels of nitrates can harm the fish’s organs.

Introducing salt into your koi’s environment can also have great effects. This will diminish the fish of disease and help the osmotic pressure between the koi and their ecosystem.

Koi Pond Maintenance

To keep your koi pond running smoothly all year long, you will a lot of equipment and a strong commitment to monitoring the pond.

One of the key features of your pond will be its filtration system. You should speak with a professional as to which water filter best suits your pond. Before choosing a filter, you will need to know the volume of the pond as well as its depth and how many fish you plan to keep there.

You should also consider a sturdy and effective water pump that will keep the water moving through the filter and a pond skimmer to ensure leaves, twigs, and scum don’t overtake the surface of the pond.

A professional company with experience building and maintaining koi ponds can help you ease into the duties of caring for your pond. A new owner should hire a professional the first time a blockage occurs in the pump or water system to ensure that no DIY endeavors go wrong.

Koi Pond Winter Survival Guide

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Despite being hardy fish, koi require a lot of care and attention throughout the year. A lot of people might not realize that even in milder winter climates as we have in California, koi pond maintenance still needs to be tailored to each season.

Not only will you need to maintain the quality of water in the pond to ensure that it contains the correct amount of minerals and oxygen, but you will also need to do regular temperature checks and switch over to a weather-appropriate food option for the koi.

This guide will take you through the necessary winter koi pond maintenance, as well as give you our top tips and tricks for maintaining your garden pond and fountain during the colder months of the year.

Switch to Cold-Water Food

New owners of koi fish might not know that they should change the type of food fed to the fish depending on the weather. During autumn, you should begin to mix winter food into the summer food before fully switching over when temperatures begin to dip under 60 °F.

The koi should also receive less food during the winter because lower temperatures cause their metabolisms to significantly slow down. If they ingest too much food during this time, it could be detrimental to their health. Koi food specifically made for winter months is made mainly of wheat germ, which they can digest more easily.

If temperatures get extremely cold in California and regularly stay under 48 °F, you should stop feeding your fish altogether until the weather improves.

Keep the Pond Clean

Most of us are used to raking up piles of leaves during autumn and winter, and your koi pond needs the same treatment.

Leaves, twigs, and sludge naturally build up at a greater pace during wintertime and ponds require diligent cleaning to ensure the pumps and filters continue to work properly. Even worse, leaves that remain in the water for a long time will break down and worsen the water quality due to added levels of ammonia and nitrite.

If you don’t have the time to manually remove the leaves and debris, or worry that you won’t always remember, it is probably a good idea to invest in some pond netting. This netting will prevent leaves from dropping into the water at all, and help keep your fish healthy and swimming through clear water.

Unfortunately, netting won’t be able to keep sludge from building up at the bottom of the water feature. Sludge is usually caused by anything from decomposed leaves to dead algae and can have a big impact on the level of oxygen in the water. To remove sludge, use a quality net or pond vacuum, which are available to rent in most cities. These tools will allow you to effectively clean your pond without the hassle of draining it.

Maintain Bacteria and Mineral Levels

Koi ponds have a complex ecosystem that needs regular treatment and maintenance.

Koi owners will be aware of how important minerals, bacteria, and oxygen levels are for the health of their fish. Especially with their metabolisms slowed down, koi rely on these nutrients to aid their health and kill harmful parasites that might be living in the water.

Good water bacteria also has the advantage of breaking down any leaves that might have slipped through the pond netting, as well as difficult to reach sludge and debris. Salt is an easy alternative to beneficial bacteria because of its many functions: it makes osmoregulation easier, lowers levels of nitrites, and also kills parasites.

Check Water Temperature

Thankfully, California’s temperature rarely plunges below 48 °F, which means you won’t have to worry about your koi pond freezing over. However, it is still important to regularly check the temperature of the pond to gauge how best to maintain it. Koi are resilient fish though and can easily survive in freezing temperatures, so there is no need to worry if it is especially chilly this year.

Know Who to Call

Even the most diligent koi owner can run into trouble with their pond from time to time. If your pond has become damaged in some way or you worry there is a pond-related emergency, you should call a professional in your area who is experienced with water fountain services and understands the ins and outs of koi ponds.

Due to the delicate ecosystem, it is always best to ask for help when you encounter a blockage deep in the pump system or find it hard to detect a leak.

The Bottom Line

While a mild California winter will be gentler on your koi and pond than harsher climates, you should still take the necessary steps to ensure the ecosystem remains protected, clean, and stable.

Koi thrive on healthy nutrients found in a flourishing pond but can be susceptible to parasites and toxic nitrite levels. By keeping your pond clear of grime and leaves, and regularly checking on the quality of water, you can make sure that your koi stay healthy and strong all year long.

Water Fountain Installation and Maintenance FAQ

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Having a water fountain or water features in your yard will create a sense of serenity. Many customers love the idea of having an outdoor water feature that provides calming sounds and looks beautiful next to their house. What many people don’t enjoy is koi pond maintenance. Check out these water fountain installation and maintenance FAQ’s to learn how you can make the process much easier.

Will the location of my water fountain make maintenance easier?

To ensure your water fountain doesn’t suffer stress or wear and tear from the elements, it’s essential to find a visible spot, but one that’s out of the way of heavy foot traffic. If the fountain is installed in a dry area, you may find yourself spending more time to clean it.

For those who lack garden space, a water fountain looks great on a patio. They can also absorb noise pollution! No matter where you install your water fountain, you should keep an eye on it so that you can keep it away from areas where it could be knocked into by humans or animals.

Also, sunlight and debris factor into your maintenance. If you put your fountain in a place where leaves from trees will fall into it, you can expect algae blooms, which mean that you’ll be cleaning your fountain more.

When you’re having your fountain installed, you can ask the professionals where they believe the best spot would be and take their recommendations into consideration.

How do I maintain the life of my fountain?

Fountain pumps are necessary for any water fountain. The best way to keep your fountain in proper working order is to maintain the pump. Outdoor pumps are more susceptible to clogs and debris, so they will need to be taken out of the fountain and periodically cleaned.

All dirt, sand, leaves, grass, and other debris should be wiped out of the fountain regularly.

What do I do if I found a leak in my fountain?

If the base of your fountain leaks without any signs of a visible crack, it’s recommended that you let the fountain sit for some time, typically one week, and the crack will appear. Keep water in the fountain three-quarters full as it evaporates.

For fiberglass or stone fountains, you can cover up a pin-hole leak with clear Silicone II on the inside of the fountain.

Why does my fountain have a white residue?

The white residue you find on your fountain is called white scale. It’s calcium build-up that develops from hard water. You can remove it easily by rubbing it with white vinegar gently. Then, run the fountain, and the build-up should wash away.

There are also fountain care products that will help you keep your water clean and prevent white scale.

How should I winterize my fountain?

Before the harsh winter arrives at your doorstep, drain your water fountain. Then, unplug the pump and store it in a heated area. Cover the fountain so that snow and debris cannot get in it. The fountain itself should not freeze, especially if it is made with fiberglass which is designed to withstand the cold weather.

Leaving water in your fountain during the winter will cause it to freeze and expand and contract, which could cause the fountain to crack.

If you’re not sure how to successfully winterize your water fountain, contact the fountain maintenance professionals.

How do I clean my fountain?

Cleaning your fountain depends on the materials from which it is made. Fountains can be copper, stainless steel, and ceramic. Here’s how you can clean your fountain based on what it’s made from.

Ceramic fountains: Clean with soapy water and a soft cloth or sponge.
Copper: Clean with quality furniture cleaning and a soft cloth.
Stainless steel: Clean with a dry cloth and special stainless steel cleaner.

If you don’t know how to clean your outdoor fountain, make sure to consult with an expert koi pond service that specializes in outdoor fountain maintenance.

When should I hire a professional?

In order to keep your fountain as beautiful as it was when it was first installed, you will have to do some maintenance work. If you don’t have the time for cleaning your water fountain, or would feel comfortable having an expert do it, you can bring in water fountain maintenance services to help you with the upkeep.

You may also want to hire a professional when you are experiencing problems with your fountain that you can’t solve yourself. If you don’t have experience dealing with water fountains, it may do more harm than good to try and find a DIY solution.

What can I use to clean the water in my fountain?

The combination of sun, pollen, other outside debris, and water will result in some algae formation in your fountain. How much you let the algae bloom will depend on you. To keep the water clean in your fountain, you can add a tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide per gallon of water every week so that the water stays clean throughout the season. Hydrogen peroxide is a safe alternative to harsh chemicals that could kill plant life.

Chlorine-based water treatments are a corrosive chemical, which can make tubing, inner connections, and pump parts brittle. It may also bleach your fountain.

If you are unsure how to maintain and clean your fountain properly, make sure to consult the experts.

Can I add fish to my fountain?

Adding fish to your fountain will further increase its serenity. In fact, many people get fountains so that they can add fish.

You can add koi fish to your fountain, but not as soon as you get the fountain installed. A brand new fountain will continue to cure and release minerals into the water that may harm an aquatic living environment. After a few months or even a full year of continuous use, it is typically okay to add fish.

Remember, some fish require a certain pH level, and others could be sensitive to turbulence. Consult a pet professional or vet to make sure adding fish will be successful.

Planning to Convert Your Old Pool Into A Koi Pond? Only Trust the Experts

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Waterfalls and ponds are by far the most popular features in modern landscape design. The sounds of moving water in a serene environment is relaxing. Introducing living creatures takes this pleasurable and relaxing experience one step further. The most popular living addition to a home garden is the koi fish. Many people convert their old, unused pools into koi ponds. The challenge, of course, is knowing whether to try this project on your own or to hire a professional koi pond service. Here are some things to consider while dreaming of your perfect, future koi pond.

Why koi a koi pond?

You’ve probably noticed that doctors and dentists often have aquariums in their offices. This display of fish is thought to relieve stress and calm one’s nerves. Koi, unlike some other fish, respond to people. They will respond to footsteps and can be tame enough to eat out of your hand. Having a koi pond is more than having a mere landscape element; it has pets who live in your yard. Many people really get into collecting koi fish. Once you spend time around them, it’s easy to see why.

On the flip side, koi ponds to require a real commitment. Regular koi pond maintenance and filtration equipment are needed to keep everything working well. If properly cared for, koi can live up to 60 years. While some of the regular maintenance tasks are easy enough to do yourself, other jobs are best left to professionals. For example, koi pond fountain installation and water fountain repairs can be tricky. If done incorrectly, some issues could put your fish at risk.

Why would I convert my pool?

Pools can be an excellent addition. If you enjoy your pool regularly, you probably aren’t even considering converting it into anything else. After some time, pools can end up being a bigger headache than their worth. For many people, finding time to enjoy a pool is challenging. For others, the cost of upkeep and maintenance seems wasted. Unused pools can even become a breeding ground for mosquitos or other insects. If you have a pool that has become a burden, it might be time to consider making a change.

One of the significant benefits of a koi pond is its impact on the environment. Many groups criticize swimming pools due to their construction costs, large amounts of wasted water, and the seemingly endless energy needed to maintain them. A koi pond, however, is a closed biological system. Koi feed off of the plants. Plants feed on the nutrients supplied by the fish. Pond algae regulate oxygen and carbon dioxide levels. Mollusks or zooplankton help keep the amount of algae in check.

Of course, if you lead a busy life, one that makes having a pool obsolete, you might not want to take on a koi pond. Since the pond contains living organisms, there is some work required. If left unchecked, everything can fall into disrepair and end up worse off than an unused swimming pool. Luckily, you can hire a koi pond maintenance service to keep everything running smoothly. Making use of professionals allows you to enjoy the landscaping environment without being responsible for all of the work.

Can’t I do it myself?

Many homeowners are in great physical shape, so they imagine they can handle any labor involved in converting a pool into a koi pond. Unfortunately, brute strength isn’t the most essential part. Some of the hardest parts include technical knowledge, construction skill, and design experience. The planning process is probably the most critical part. You might be able to picture a beautiful pond. Most people imagine tropical water lilies floating in their ponds. What they may not believe is how koi fish will often eat lilies and overturn their pots when looking for food. Using water lilies is undoubtedly an option, but they must be segregated from the area koi fish swim as they don’t mix well.

Those who try to tackle this project on their own might believe some of the biggest misconceptions about koi ponds. For example, many kits and websites suggest adding as much filtration as you can fit. The idea that more filtration means a better pond isn’t accurate. It is possible to over-filter a pond.

It is definitely possible to convert your unused pool into a koi pond without help. At the same time, working with a professional team means getting it done right the first time. Instead of spending time trying to figure out to make it work, you could use that time relaxing in your new landscaping addition.

Go with the pros

Beware of general handymen or lawn guys who claim they can build a pond or convert your pool at a rock-bottom price. Your better to go with a qualified contractor who has the appropriate experience. Always check your company’s portfolio of past projects or talk with former clients, when possible. A true professional will offer a written warranty on their work and will cover the filter and pump of adequate size for the pond.

The other benefit of going with a professional is that they can help design the pond not only to meet your taste but your lifestyle. If you have lots of free time and look forward to working in your yard, your design team can create something that meets that need. Alternatively, if you keep a busy schedule and need to limit the amount of work required, your team should be able to help. A proper installation team will also be able to help with regular maintenance through their own company. Even if you want to do the maintenance yourself, go with a company that offers the service. Chances are they will build a more maintenance-friendly pond.

Above all, remember that adding a koi pond to your property is supposed to reduce stress. Trying to determine which equipment, plants, and other elements are right for your project isn’t easy. Don’t get caught adding more stress into your life when you can trust the professionals to get it right. Spend less time worrying about the details and more time enjoying your peaceful koi pond.

How to Create a Zen-Like Vibes in Your Backyard

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wow your guests with these wall fountain ideas

Peace and prosperity are not just principles or states of mind. They are emotions too. If a decorator wants to elicit feelings of harmony with nothing but color, which would they choose? Practical experience says green because green calms people down. The color green is reminiscent of nature, where many people feel at home. This is also the reason houseplants, gardens, yards, and vacations to Yellowstone are so popular.

But green isn’t the only way to bring serenity to your world.

Koi

The magic of the aquarium has been lost in recent times. There is nothing more impressive than a well-maintained show tank of tropical fish. The same principle is at work if you can show off a pond populated by Koi and maintained by an expert koi pond service. Contrary to many opinions, koi are not goldfish, even though the two species have a similar appearance. Koi are carp bred for coloration that better resembles the colors of the goldfish.

Koi can recapture the magic of domesticated fish because they are quite hardy, will eat nearly anything and help provide a welcome contrast to the dull colors of the average open-air small pond. They swim rather lazily and rarely pick at each other, so they are also quite pleasing as pets.

Order

The Zen quality many people imagine is a by-product of order. For the garage craftsman or the workbench maintainer, the principle is “a place for everything and everything in its place.” This kind of order combined with the cool colors of a well-maintained garden create a feeling of mastery, and with that comes peace and stress relief.

Portraying order in a backyard setting starts and stops with water. Whether it is a fountain or a pond, using water decoratively is intensely satisfying. Water that is populated with healthy fish like koi is a further demonstration of prosperity and growing things. It puts people at ease. Good koi pond maintenance is an important part of this goal.

The key to achieving this level of contentment is to assemble the pieces in the proper order and with the proper proportions. Too much water and you have a swamp. Too many plants and green growing things and you have a jungle. Too many koi and you have a food bill that will force you to sell your backyard to the nearest Japanese restaurant. It would be easy to make a joke about balance here, but you get the point.

Form

The shape and texture of things are fundamental to elicit feelings of peace and serenity. It is important to avoid the appearance of artificiality. Plants should look as if they grew naturally from underneath the stone. The pond should look as if it spontaneously gave life to the koi lazily drifting under the surface. These are the forms of nature people have come to expect, and they are more authentic when they look like they grew in place instead of being placed.

Zen emerges from life, order, and form in much the same way peace and prosperity are understood on a subconscious level. It is something that can only be perceived if it is apparent in the design and presentation of your natural oasis.

Important Things To Consider Before Installing a Koi Pond

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A koi pond is a beautiful addition to almost any landscaping on your property, but it is more complex than simply planting a rose bush or installing a flower bed. Koi pond maintenance is necessary to keep your property looking beautiful and to keep your fish happy and healthy. Before you decide to install a koi pond in your yard there are a few things you will need to consider.

Koi Have A Long Lifespan

If you ask people about which pets live the longest, most will mention parrots or maybe even a tortoise. Fish probably wouldn’t make the list, as most people have vague memories of their goldfish dying within a year or two when they were a child

Koi, however, is not your average fish. Depending on the breed, the size of their pond, and how well they are cared for, koi can live anywhere from 15 – 125 years. In Japan, it is common for some people to leave their koi to family members in their will because the fish can often outlive their owners! Don’t install a koi pond until you are ready to care for a pet for the next several decades.

Water Fountain Repairs Will Be Necessary

When you are running a water fountain in your pond it will require regular upkeep. Algae, debris, mineral build-up, and other issues can clog a water fountain over time, so you will need to schedule time for cleaning on a regular basis.

Water fountain repairs will also be required, just like any other electrical device. Keeping your water fountain in good working order is important not just for the health of your fish, but also because a broken or leaking fountain can waste water. In arid climates or other places where droughts are common, it is especially important to keep your equipment maintained so you aren’t wasting this precious natural resource. Make sure you budget for regular maintenance and repairs when you are installing a koi pond.

Koi May Attract Predators To Your Property

There is nothing worse than investing all the time and money into installing a beautiful koi pond than going outside one morning to discover that something has eaten your fish. Herons, cranes, gulls, pelicans, and sometimes even ordinary house cats can see your lovely fish as a tasty meal.

There are a number of effective ways to protect your fish from predators. You can use decoys like wooden owls or other things to frighten birds away. These are most effective when they are moved around every few days. You can also install a net over the pond to keep your fish safe.

If you aren’t interested in something quite so garish you might consider at least adding a few plants and rocks to act as hiding places for your fish, as well as making sure your pond is deep enough that the fish can put some distance between themselves and the predators of the land and air.

Expert Advice on Building and Maintaining an Elegant Koi Pond

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So you’ve decided to build a koi pond in your backyard finally? Well, that is a great idea because your compound’s landscape will certainly be amazing.

Koi ponds are built to keep koi fish: a unique type of fish which is also known as Japanese oriental carp.

For a healthy school of Koi fish, you must have expertise in koi pond maintenance.

Let us begin with the components of an elegant Koi Pond.

Bottom Drains

Even though the bottom drains are rarely used in water gardens, they are highly beneficial in Koi ponds. Bottom drains allow heavy solids to be carried to the mechanical filter when there are no rocks at the bottom of the pond. They are usually equipped with air diffusers, maintaining oxygen supply in the pond.

Skimmers

Skimmers enable cleaning of the koi pond: By drawing water from the surface of the pond, they collect leaves, twigs and other floating debris found on the surface of the pond.

Biological filters

Biological filters convert nitrogenous wastes from fish into nitrogen which escapes into the atmosphere.

Water and air pumps

Water pumps ensure circulation of water within the koi pond. Pumps should be able to perform a complete circulation of water once in every hour to maintain a conducive environment for your ornamental fish. Air pumps are also used to increase dissolved oxygen within the koi pond. Air pumps become vital when the ponds are stocked to capacity.

Ultraviolet Light

Sunlight helps to clump algae making them easier to be disposed of using the mechanical filtration. UV sterilizer kills free-floating bacteria thereby promoting a healthy koi fish.

Steps to building and maintaining a koi pond

Before you begin to construct a koi pond you should understand the following:

Size of the pond

The koi pond should be larger because koi fish grow in size and may not be able to survive when the resources in the pond become limited.

The pond should hold a minimum of 1000 gallons in volume or more to create a healthy environment that will promote the survival of these ornamental fish.

The depth of the pond should be at least 3 feet, but you can increase the depth to 4 or 5 feet keeping mind the larger fish.

Location of the pond

The pond should be located near your house for security and ease of accessibility. You should also position your pond away from trees as this can reduce the number of leaves falling on the pond, making it easier to clean. If you want to have lilies within your pond, then you should choose a location that has at least 4 hours of exposure to sunlight. This will enable extensive growth of lilies which is food to koi fish.

The keeping of koi fish is one of the best ways to make your home beautiful. You should endeavor to understand the details of koi fish rearing before you embark on this highly rewarding venture. For more information on koi pond building and maintenance and for koi pond repairs, visit OC Pond & Fountain Care!

Year-Round Maintenance Tips for Your Koi Pond

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Koi ponds are popular with many people. Their beautiful display of aquatic nature appeals to nearly everyone. To keep your pond in top condition and the inhabitants at their healthiest, you’ll need to stay on top of a koi pond maintenance schedule.

Routine Maintenance

A koi pond demands constant care. Cleaning, adding water, backwashing the filter, and control of algae are chores that will help ensure your koi pond remains in pristine condition.

Change the Water Weekly

Once a week, remove no less than 10 to 15 percent of the water in the pond. Refill with fresh, dechlorinated water to the pond’s optimal water level. Remember that water from your tap is likely chlorinated. Chlorine is deadly to fish so pretreat your water with a dechlorinating agent before you refill the pond.

Backwash the Filter Twice Monthly

Backwashing is the method of thoroughly cleaning the pool’s filter system. You just reverse the water flow which flushes the water’s contaminants. The process allows you to clean your system without having to manually scrub the filter and takes just a minute or two.

If you are using a biological filter, backwash the filter every other week. If the filter’s pressure gauge is reading higher than usual, you may need to backwash the filter more often. If there is more water coming from the outlet into the pond, that is also a good indication that you should backwash the filter.

Have an Algae Control Program

The filtration system in your pond changes ammonia into nitrate which is harmless to your koi. Algae, however, thrive in a nitrate-rich environment. There are two methods to keep algae at a minimum. The first is an algaecide. Before using an algaecide, read the directions on the package carefully. The second and more natural method is to use ultraviolet light from a UV lamp. The light is part of the filtration system and kills the algae long before they can grow then reproduce.

Seasonal Maintenance

In addition to your normal maintenance routine, changes of the season bring their own specific chores. They may only occur twice a year, but these routines are crucial to your pond’s health.

Fall and Winter

When the weather turns cooler, your aquatic plants may change color just like the leaves in the trees in your yard. Aquatic plants drop their leaves as well. To keep your filtration system working well, cut off all the dying or dead leaves before they can fall into the water.

During the Winter, your pond’s surface may freeze over. You can use a product known as a floating deicer in one section of the pond. With a deicer, the water will continue to be aerated throughout even the harshest winter.

Spring and Summer

When Spring arrives, it’s time to clean your pond thoroughly. Put the koi in clean buckets filled with fresh water. Remove all the water in the pond so that you can take all the vegetation away and scrub down its walls. Rinse thoroughly then fill the pond with clean, dechlorinated water. If the outside temperature is high, add an extra air pump.

Your Koi Pond Maintenance Experts

For help with maintaining your koi pond in the Orange County, California region, OC Pond & Fountain Care can get your koi pond in top shape. Just give us a call.