Koi Pond and Waterfall: Top 21 Frequently Asked Questions
Q What is the ideal depth for a koi pond?
A In my experience of more than 25 years, 4 to 5 feet is ideal. A minimum of 3 feet for koi fish for several reasons. Security for cranes wade fish can not get in 3 feet of water. In addition, the water temperature in shallow ponds fluctuates too much with changes in temperature. The greater the volume of water, more long it takes for the temperature change. Hot water or temperature changes are unhealthy for fish.
Q What is the ideal size of a pond?
Ideally a size determined by the size of your yard. Its size should be proportional to the size of the yard. In addition, the larger the pond, higher maintenance.
Q What is your opinion about the use of a liner for the construction of a pond instead of using a rigid stamping or concrete one.
A My recommendation is and always has been the use of concrete. However, if you are on a tight budget or do not think to live there for an extended period of time, a liner would be advisable. In this case, we should add a thin layer of mortar between the liner and soil to prevent tree roots, ground squirrels, rats, mice, moles or squirrels to compromise the liner. The hard molded, preformed ponds plastic become brittle from UV rays of the sun in just a couple of years. Not good!
Q What type of pond filter do you recommend?
To not be answered simply because many factors are involved. Do you have a gap with a submersible or above ground pump? What is the volume of the pond? Does the fish, and if so, how many? What size plumbing pipe is used? This is so involved, I have spent a whole chapter in my book to the subject building. I have a pond with 8000 liters above ground pump and I use a pressure filter biological accounts. It takes 2 minutes to return flush with the turn of a handle and keeps my tank crystal clear.
Q I have tons of seaweed clinging to the rocks in my falls and growing groups in his hand. What I can do to get rid of it?
A When the first Polynesians settled in Hawaii between 300 and 600 AD, were probably very upset by the aggressive, wild plants, taro pervasive, as are their algae. They tried to cut, burn, stomp, but in vain. It just returned, so they eat, and still do today. In fact, it is a staple food such as peanut butter is to some Americans. Just kidding! However, if you told me was I would watercress suggest that eating. Many stores try to sell a pond algaecide expensive to solve your problem, but all you have to do is increase the salt content of water. Some experts recommend a pound of salt for each 100 gallons of water. This will not hurt the fish, in fact, will help produce a healthy glow layer. However, damage most of its plants if that dose is applied once. Plus the dead and decaying algae will use up the oxygen and this will harm the fish. Slowly apply on one or two weeks, and be patient. It takes longer to kill it this way, but the fish will appreciate Comment This topic is also a chapter in my construction manual.
Q Should I keep salt in my pool regularly?
A If you maintain a specific weight of 1000, the fish will be less susceptible to ulcer and fin rot. And you will follow the algae out of control.
Q I'm considering building a waterfall between my house and my neighbor against the fence. Does the sound of cataracts bother them if left running 24 hours a day?
A sound generated by a cascade is called white noise, which is very relaxing and soothing, not irritating. I have several hundred customers who leave their falls running 24 / 7 and none has ever had a neighbor complain. In fact, we all appreciate the fact that do not have to spend money to enjoy the sound.
Q How much I can put koi in my pond? "
A number could range from 150 to 250 liters per fish. If you are starting with small 6 "to 8" long koi can reach 2 meters in three years, depending on the amount of food and how often feed them. It could even grow to over 3 feet long! Overcrowding of fish causes stress and a lot of waste. You can reduce fish health and the result of several diseases. In addition, a pond less people are more pleasing to the eye.
Q Do I really need a filter in my pond?
A Not in all cases. If the pond is small and has some guppies or mosquito fish and plants adequate water to cover 1 / 3 to 'of your pond, the pond will be cleaned through the nitrogen cycle. The biological aspects of the chemistry of the pond is well covered in my waterfall and construction manual.
Q How much long live koi fish?
An average life span of koi in Japan is 70 years. Some have come to live to 100 or more, as the legendary Hanako, accused of have lived for over 200 years. Unlike the amazing results of the meticulous attention Japanese give their koi, koi Americans live a fraction of that time, usually due to neglect and lack of care or the proper environment.
Q How I can protect my koi from predators?
A: Unfortunately, Most people that come to me frustrated people who already have a pond or a very poorly planned pond. If the pond is shallow, less than 3 meters, or has a the shallow, raccoons, coyotes, cranes, herons, etc have easy access to your fish. You may think that fish are safe because it has a part depth of the fish to retreat. Well, you and your fish are dead wrong. A crane will remain perfectly still for 10 to 20 minutes waiting for the koi to forget that is there. Some spit friend in the deep pond, attracting fish to the surface. His only solution is a network, or test the crane statue, scarecrow or high frequency sound emitters for smaller animals. However, one of my clients watched a crane from the ground next to his statue of the crane. While the scarecrow he was throwing a stream of water, took one of his prize koi.
A pond creatures to test more than 3 feet on all sides and has a platform high of 13 "minimum water around the pond. Raccoons can not swim and fish at the same time, and they or the birds will not be able to reach the water.
Q I'd have a koi pond, but I live in Michigan and all ponds and lakes ice years. Will they survive?
A. There are fish in the lakes that are talking about: blue gill, bass, sunfish, carp, and survive them all. And guess what? Koi are in the carp family. Koi are raised primarily for food Japan. They grow rice in the summer and after flooding the rice cakes and raise koi in the winter, cutting holes in the ice to catch food. Without However, your pond should be 4 to 6 feet deep to ensure the water remains more or less 40 or the bottom. Turn off the waterfall and the bottom outlet, remove water skimmer to keep the bottom yet. Place pool solar blankets on the surface. If the pond is deep enough, you can let it freeze. However, it is necessary horse install a tank heater to keep a hole in the ice to allow the ammonia gas from the decomposition of debris on the bottom to escape. If the pond is less than 4 'feet deep, take cover koi for the winter and put them in a garage or basement storage.
Q How I can keep koi and fish colors together?
A. Yes, you can. Both are cold-water fish and members of the family tent. Most other cold water fish can also swim together as shubunkins, Rudd, chub, blue gill, mosquito fish, guppies, sunfish, bass, etc. However, only in the deeper pools where the temperature average is 65 degrees or less at the bottom of the sea bass, sunfish and blue gills.
Q If my pond has a drain in the background?
A first of all, a bottom drain is essential for a healthy pond. However, if exposed and the suction is strong enough, turtles or fish can be caught at the same and not able to let go. Therefore, two drains must be connected in series to relieve the pressure between them, as in a pool. Sewage waste draw background entering the fish before reaching the bottom, and keep it clean. The areas where it accumulates can be swept to the drain for easy cleaning. If you are using a submersible pump or pull water from a skimmer, the water does not circulate properly in the bottom of the pond. That's where decomposing waste is the production of ammonia and other gases toxic.
Q My pond water is very clear, but my fish are dying. What's wrong?
A Drinking water may taste, good aroma, and transparent. But some of the most toxic chemicals known to cause cancer are colorless, odorless and tasteless. I recommend you buy a test kit form a shop and check your pond water regularly. Nitrates, nitrites and ammonia are harmful to fish. Ammonia and nitrite can at high levels, be fatal to fish. These substances are dissolved in water and therefore are impossible to detect by water clarity and may disrupt the immune system of fish.
Q What kind of filter do you recommend?
A For any pond over 1000 gallons, I recommend a pressure biofilter accounts that can be washed again. I used Aqua Ultraviolet Ultima II Filter years. Most of the larger pond suppliers carry them. Its filters between 1000 and gallons to 10,000 gallons. Until the flow and gravity flow filters requires regular cleaning, which is a dirty job. The filter media is full of stinking waste, rotting fish and decaying pond scum. How to handle the filter screens, media, debuggers, etc, you have little white worms feed on feces that are 1 / 16 "time crawling on his hands and arms. Not to mention the noxious smell that burns the eyes and lungs.
It cost pennies on the dollar for that, however, dealers charge a fortune. You pay the price for the filter and the time needed to keep paying additional cost for their time to maintain it. With a pressure filter, you need only change a handle 2 to 3 minutes and the filter is clean. Waste water is not wasted either. You can water your plants with it using the discharge hose. If you can imagine, that Brown, the colored water, stinky is packed with nitrogen. It's better than Miracle Grow TM I used my 6000 gallons of Ultima II for more than eight years and works as good now as the day it was installed. Happy fish, happy!
Q How much costs half the pond?
A What is average? Depends on whether you are talking about a tank line or a professional concrete pond and bars reinforcement. A typical line from the pond can be 6 feet by 8 feet, depending on who is being installed, could cost between $ 2,500 and $ 3,500. The other dimensions are more or less proportional. line ponds are susceptible to leakage of pins, gophers and rats, etc. concrete ponds last decades and the average cost only 20% more than the line ponds.
Q My pond is green and I can not see my fish. What should I do?
Your challenge is to algae (suspended planktonic algae), which directly harm the fish. However, the algae release oxygen during the day of photosynthesis. But, unfortunately, is used oxygen at night. Furthermore, it is unsightly and blocks the view of the fish. You can increase the salt content or install an ultraviolet light, which not only kills algae spores but kills the bacteria that causes the water cloudy and smelly.
Q I heard that UV light also kills beneficial bacteria. Is that true?
A If I say "No," I am calling many professional liars-called experts. So I'll put it this way. All of the beneficial bacteria pond as aerobic or anaerobic bacteria, Nitrobacter, etc, reside in the filter or in the decaying remains at the bottom of the pond. They are floating in the pond. Bacteria and algae are containing a pathogen, and passing by the UV light, which are eradicated.
Q Do I need a waterfall for my pond?
A Without hesitation, YES! Absolutely. First, the waterfalls are pleasing to the eye. The sound is soothing and relaxing and the water moving over rocks generates negative ions are added to the atmosphere. As negatively charged air you breathe, relieves stress and anxiety. Waterfalls also add extra oxygen to the pond. Waterfalls are a must!
Q I heard concrete ponds leach alkali into the pond. Is that true?
Yes and no. A poorly constructed pond Specifically, but only until the algae begin to grow on the sides. In addition, if the pond is constructed of 3500 psi concrete and coated with Thoro-seal TM is impossible an alkali to leach. Also, if Doug Hoover secret use mortar mix formula, the mortar in the cascade between the rock will not leach either.
Q What is the advantage of building a cascade of concrete and mortar?
One reason is that one of the main rock is securely in mortar , the prevention of a serious accident sliding rocks, as in a cascade line. Trust me, someday, will raise a child adventurer him. This is a demand in manufacturing.
Happy koi, peace and joy.
About the Author
Douglas C. Hoover; CEO of Aquamedia Corp, Master Waterfall Builder, architect, engineer, freelance writer, author, designer & builder of over 1,900 waterfall and ponds in CA (26 years). Author of “Waterfall and Pond Construction Manual” and developer of the “Water Feature Digital Design Library 4.0″ Free downloads, no sign in- http://www.askdoughoover.com
