I have an 8X8 pond that holds roughly 1,000 gallons. I have 6 koi that total about 80" of fish. Over it's 5 year life the pond has alternated from murky (see today's photo) to relatively clear. It's been clear for much of this summer, but the last few weeks it's become murky.
I have been cleaning the basket and filters about 1x per month. I also have an Oase Pondvac I use occasional to clean the bottom.
When emptying the basket today I was surprised at the amount of fish poop in it. There was much more than usual. I have been feeding the fish only 1x/day in an attempt to slow their growth, since I know they are approaching what I thought was the limit of the pond for them. I have been working on the formula of 10 gallons per inch of fish.
I'm not sure if I'm reaching the limit or if this is just a temporary condition or permanent. So I have some questions:
1. Is it possible I'm not emptying/cleaning filters and basket often enough? If so, how often should I be doing that?
2. Is the formula of 10 gallons per inch incorrect or have I possibly passed the limit already. All fish appear to be fine and happy in their home.
3. The falls add alot of aeration, but will running an aerator help if I'm approaching Max Fish?
4. If you've had to give up fish what have you done to find them new homes?
5. Can I add any agent/lifeform that will help clear poop from the pond?
Thanks for any advice you can offer.
PS The reason I have 6 fish in a smallish pond is because I never expected them all to live. We have almost 17,000 bears around our small city and some of them are frequent visitors to my pond, which they like to stick their butts in when it gets hot. So I figured I'd lose a couple along the way. But they have not taken a single fish. Go figure...
When emptying the basket today I was surprised at the amount of fish poop in it. There was much more than usual. I have been feeding the fish only 1x/day in an attempt to slow their growth, since I know they are approaching what I thought was the limit of the pond for them. I have been working on the formula of 10 gallons per inch of fish.
I'm not sure if I'm reaching the limit or if this is just a temporary condition or permanent. So I have some questions:
1. Is it possible I'm not emptying/cleaning filters and basket often enough? If so, how often should I be doing that?
2. Is the formula of 10 gallons per inch incorrect or have I possibly passed the limit already. All fish appear to be fine and happy in their home.
3. The falls add alot of aeration, but will running an aerator help if I'm approaching Max Fish?
4. If you've had to give up fish what have you done to find them new homes?
5. Can I add any agent/lifeform that will help clear poop from the pond?
Thanks for any advice you can offer.
PS The reason I have 6 fish in a smallish pond is because I never expected them all to live. We have almost 17,000 bears around our small city and some of them are frequent visitors to my pond, which they like to stick their butts in when it gets hot. So I figured I'd lose a couple along the way. But they have not taken a single fish. Go figure...