| What happens to Koi in Spring? As temperatures | | | | phosphate and nitrate. The solution is a UV Filter. |
| start to rise koi come out of "semi hibernation." | | | | To determine the size of a UV Filter, the rule of |
| This occurs as Koi are "endothermic poikilotherms" | | | | thumbs 10 watts per 1000 gallons, this is for a |
| which means their body temperature reflects the | | | | semi shaded pond; ponds that have sunlight all day |
| ambient temperature of their surroundings. At | | | | will need more watts per gallon. Now is the time |
| above 5 degrees centigrade, Koi should start to | | | | to change your UV Bulb. |
| show an interest in food, they can be fed a low | | | | 2. Blanket weed, this is the long stranded green |
| protein food i.e. wheat germ, give this sparingly - | | | | "string like" algae which grows on the pond wall, |
| be aware of cold snaps at night, food will not be | | | | floor etc. The solution is chemical/natural |
| properly digested at low temperatures. | | | | treatments, the two we recommend are |
| If the filtration system has been turned off for | | | | 'Cloverleaf Blanket weed Answer' and 'Evolution |
| the winter, there will be no micro organisms living | | | | Aqua Stop Blanket weed' these are both excellent |
| in the filter media, with the filter running | | | | products, but always remember every pond's |
| throughout the winter time, the bacteria will have | | | | water chemistry is different. Algae in moderate |
| reduced because there is no ammonia (NH3) in | | | | levels won't cause problems to Koi, but in large |
| the water because of zero feeding, the cold | | | | amounts can cause pH shifts, can reduce oxygen |
| temperatures this will reduce the bacteria | | | | levels and block pumps, pipes and filters. |
| population, for these reasons feed with caution. | | | | When the temperature increases, the first to |
| Now that your Koi are becoming active, it's time | | | | become active are Pathogens, Parasites, Bacteria, |
| to check the overall cleanliness of the pond, is the | | | | Fungus etc. These react to warmer water quicker |
| bottom of the pond free from debris, silt etc. this | | | | than your koi's immune system, to slow down |
| can harbour harmful bacteria and parasites and in | | | | this activity, salt is used by some Koi keepers, |
| the summer, with the warmer temperature this | | | | and ½ oz per gallon is the recommended dose. |
| will reduce oxygen levels. | | | | The salt increases the mucus on the fish, which is |
| Algae will also start to grow in the pond; there | | | | the first line of defence for Koi, the downside of |
| are two main types of algae, which pond keeper | | | | this is the bacteria in your filter will be 'knocked |
| will have to deal with... | | | | back'. A Filter Start chemical could be the way |
| 1. Single cell algae, this causes "Green Water", this | | | | forward. When feeding, fish waste is produced, |
| is caused by the combination of sunlight, | | | | 'Nitrification Cycle' bacteria needs boosting. |