Very good clear advice most new koi keepers have new pond syndrome by over stocking from the start and a filter system can take months before pond bio cycle settles down
This is one persons opinion. Most say different. I am in the process of waiting for mine to cycle. You can buy starter bacteria. I know one thing, I'm not chancing it!
You can always start a new system with a few fish, just do not go overboard with stocking levels, monitor your water parameters, and do regular small water changes. Some people will disagree, but after a harsh winter-or after treating a pond with anti-bacterial medication, your bio filter takes a serious knock. You are basically back to square one, but with higher stocking levels than when you started your pond. What do you do? You do regular water changes, monitor parameters, and reduce feeding, same as the day you started out the first time .
A pond/aquarium ammonium chloride powder will easily provide the needed ammonia needed to cycle without risking the fish. Takes about two weeks while adding nitrifying bacteria for a complete cycle.
I was thinking about adding a couple fiberglass boulders to my 700 gallon tank. The boulders will be 27" long 24" wide and about 20" tall. Thank You in advance for your reply Don
There is alot of algae atm because of the water lillies old stems rotting from the winter. (Yes, i cut them back) the water seems to be clearing the more the water lillies make more pads.
Is my pond from last year ok still? Its green diatom water, my water lillies are just breaking dormancy. My fish looks happy, but is that ok? Do i need a major water change?
Have just purchased a new fish pond,is rain water more beneficial than tap water? Also what chemicals should be added to the pond prior to adding fish? Tha K you for any advice.
Hi lee I am an English man living in Brasil and I am building a koi pond, no I have watched your video about how to build and the best way, I have adapted a lot of your ideas but one thing you or anyone else have explained how to set up a bottom drain, I have used 3 hundred LTRs drums but I just can't get the flow to balance, can you please explain, I would be very grateful. Thanks
Very good info. Another great video. Any chance of a video or some advice on fluke treatment I seem to have a problem and would be grateful from the advice and feedback?
I am planning on doing some videos on parasites in the future. If you have a fluke problem there are several fluke specific treatments that would be worth trying. They are available at most koi outlets. Fluke m Fluke p and so on. I hope you get the flukes sorted.
Awesome videos sir..sir can u please make a video on spirulina content in fish food..I use optimum 3 in 1 fish food for my koi fish which has 12% spirulina..i am not sure if its the right amount or higher..same company also sells it with 6%.. kindle help..thanks in advance.
Yes you can use ammonia to cycle the filters without the need to add fish. However I believe that there is no need to do that if you add fish fish gradually and monitor the ammonia.
That's because you don't. You need to cycle it for minimum 4 weeks. what this guy says is one persons opinion, most say differently. I'm not chancing it and cycling mine
Very good clear advice most new koi keepers have new pond syndrome by over stocking from the start and a filter system can take months before pond bio cycle settles down
Thanks for the feedback. I try to keep the dialogue relevant and informative.
You don't have to wait 6 weeks! Brilliant, debunk a myth, thanks!
This is one persons opinion. Most say different. I am in the process of waiting for mine to cycle. You can buy starter bacteria. I know one thing, I'm not chancing it!
You can always start a new system with a few fish, just do not go overboard with stocking levels, monitor your water parameters, and do regular small water changes. Some people will disagree, but after a harsh winter-or after treating a pond with anti-bacterial medication, your bio filter takes a serious knock. You are basically back to square one, but with higher stocking levels than when you started your pond. What do you do? You do regular water changes, monitor parameters, and reduce feeding, same as the day you started out the first time .
A pond/aquarium ammonium chloride powder will easily provide the needed ammonia needed to cycle without risking the fish. Takes about two weeks while adding nitrifying bacteria for a complete cycle.
I was thinking about adding a couple fiberglass boulders to my 700 gallon tank. The boulders will be 27" long 24" wide and about 20" tall. Thank You in advance for your reply
Don
Great advice and information as always Lee. Thank you.
Thanks for your kind words.
There is alot of algae atm because of the water lillies old stems rotting from the winter. (Yes, i cut them back) the water seems to be clearing the more the water lillies make more pads.
Hi there. Should you run a trickle in trick out. On a brand new pond your trying to get the filters started??
I don't think it make much difference. It is going make sure your diluting any nitrites.
Take time when choosing Koi. Buy less fish but better fish.
Is my pond from last year ok still? Its green diatom water, my water lillies are just breaking dormancy. My fish looks happy, but is that ok? Do i need a major water change?
Have just purchased a new fish pond,is rain water more beneficial than tap water? Also what chemicals should be added to the pond prior to adding fish? Tha K you for any advice.
Watch my video about pH crash. Rains water is potentially problematic.
Hi lee I am an English man living in Brasil and I am building a koi pond, no I have watched your video about how to build and the best way, I have adapted a lot of your ideas but one thing you or anyone else have explained how to set up a bottom drain, I have used 3 hundred LTRs drums but I just can't get the flow to balance, can you please explain, I would be very grateful.
Thanks
Asking was a wast of time, I have figured it out for myself, with the help of a koi shop in South Africa of all places.
What did you do?
Very good info. Another great video. Any chance of a video or some advice on fluke treatment I seem to have a problem and would be grateful from the advice and feedback?
I am planning on doing some videos on parasites in the future. If you have a fluke problem there are several fluke specific treatments that would be worth trying. They are available at most koi outlets. Fluke m Fluke p and so on. I hope you get the flukes sorted.
Awesome videos sir..sir can u please make a video on spirulina content in fish food..I use optimum 3 in 1 fish food for my koi fish which has 12% spirulina..i am not sure if its the right amount or higher..same company also sells it with 6%.. kindle help..thanks in advance.
never understand why are you advising a fish in cycle, so easy and safe to do a fishless cycling, using ammonia from various possible sources
Yes you can use ammonia to cycle the filters without the need to add fish. However I believe that there is no need to do that if you add fish fish gradually and monitor the ammonia.
But my fish died 2 days after adding them to the new pond 😭😭
That's because you don't. You need to cycle it for minimum 4 weeks. what this guy says is one persons opinion, most say differently. I'm not chancing it and cycling mine
Rather prefer a hardy fish like a catfish
Fish in cycle
In a pond !?? What about an ammonia spike ????
A small ammonia spike is inevitable and not a problem. However a large damaging spike should be avoided. Stock gradually.
Worse advice ever.