You can do small, frequent water changes (with de chlorinator if your source water contains chlorine or chloramines). I think Prime is recommended for reducing ammonia, but in your case, you may be beyond that point — but you can try. Be sure to have water movement via a pump and or aerators going to increase the O2 content.the pond literally has only been up and running a few days before I got the koi. in hindsight I shouldn't of bought the koi so soon, but was with my son and they looked so nice and he was so happy that I bought them. I just now want to sort the problem out. i got to sort out the pond levels ammonia, and I got to know how that fish died. what disease etc so I can treat the pond.
you're very right. I was going to get goldfish, the dealer used to do them, but no longer does. the koi looked so nice. it was hypnotising good. I do want to learn a lot about koi. been watching videos etc. beautiful fish.You can do small, frequent water changes (with de chlorinator if your source water contains chlorine or chloramines). I think Prime is recommended for reducing ammonia, but in your case, you may be beyond that point — but you can try. Be sure to have water movement via a pump and or aerators going to increase the O2 content.
See what KOIPHEN has to say about any disease process that might be going on and maybe they can recommend treatment.
BE SURE YOU TELL THEM THE SIZE OF THE POND AND THAT IT HAS NOT YET BEEN CYCLED! That is important info.
They will probably ask you to scrape and scope the fish, but if you don’t have a microscope and aren’t experienced doing that, it probably won’t help. They might also recommend a salt bath or dip, which can be helpful in a pinch. We recommend that as a treatment, but we don’t advocate the routine use of salt in a freshwater pond.
I am so sorry you are having to go through this, but the hardest lesson to learn with ponds is to have patience — and it’s an especially important learning process when kids are involved.
If these koi survive, please consider finding them a new home and consider goldfish instead (or….build a larger pond). You water volume isn’t adequate for koi. Also, study up on the nitrogen cycle and cycling the pond.
I used dechlorinator when I did the pond. so I have to use prime every 48 hours all the time or is there eventually another way to let ammonia and nitrite permanently to lower level? thank you for the help.Prime is a dechlorinator as well, so it should be all you need right now.
It does not reduce ammonia and nitrite, but binds it so that it is not available to the fish. But that binding will last only 48 hours. And it can be dosed safely up to 5 times the normal dose without harm to the fish, so I don't think it's too late to use it.
But it is essential to use it every 48 hours. The binding will only last that long, after which all that bound ammonia and nitrite will be released back into the water.
IMO, for that small of a pond….with koi….you’ll probably be doing it a lot. Koi are big waste producers. Be sure your pond is cycled properly to begin with.I used dechlorinator when I did the pond. so I have to use prime every 48 hours all the time or is there eventually another way to let ammonia and nitrite permanently to lower level? thank you for the help.
Want to reply to this thread or ask your own question?
You'll need to choose a username for the site, which only take a couple of moments. After that, you can post your question and our members will help you out.