Hello Pond People ;-)

[Dede]

I have newly become a fish mommy, I have raised the two legged kids and the four legged kids but never no legged kids.
Recently bought a home with a Koi pond. There are four Koi 5 or six inches at least four frogs.
I know absolutely nothing about this but am looking forward to learning.

There is so much muck in this pond I'm afraid to clean to even pull out the dying lily for fear of choking the fish??
Before & Now pics - one month and plant was infested with aphids I think and just dissolving into the water???
So many questions not even sure where to start.

 

[Gemma]

 

[Gemma]

Your pond is very nice, but it looks a bit small for 5 koi....do you know how many gallons it is?

 

[Dede]

Your pond is very nice, but it looks a bit small for 5 koi....do you know how many gallons it is?

Not sure looks to be about 4 ft square probably about 500 gallons and its old and cracked leaks water we have to add water every couple days. Its 4 Koi and they are very small 5 or 6 " .

 

[Gemma]

Well if it already need work, would you consider enlarging it?
If so, I suggest you go as large as you can afford to go, or you'll be re doing it like many of us have done
I did mine 3 times! Went from 1000, to 1,500 to 3000...should have built it this large to begin with!

 

[IPA]

Not sure looks to be about 4 ft square probably about 500 gallons and its old and cracked leaks water we have to add water every couple days. Its 4 Koi and they are very small 5 or 6 " .

Welcome and are you certain they are Koi and not goldfish. Many goldfish look very similar but whatever they are the pond itself is a bigger priority. Regardless of size , I notice you have a waterfall, does it work? How much water do you have to add? Are you using tap or well water? Is there any pump running?

 

[j.w]

@Dede
For now it's big enough for those small koi but ya better start digging cuz they grow fast

 

[Dede]

Well if it already need work, would you consider enlarging it?
If so, I suggest you go as large as you can afford to go, or you'll be re doing it like many of us have done
I did mine 3 times! Went from 1000, to 1,500 to 3000...should have built it this large to begin with!View attachment 104479

Just want to keep it healthy for now, will consider renovation down the road??

 

[MitchM]

Welcome!
For starters, I would recommend buying a liquid test kit and determining what the water quality is.
This is a good kit to start out with:
http://www.apifishcare.com/product.php?id=670#.WcBKZa0ZNYc

In addition, also make sure to purchase a test kit to test the KH and GH:
http://www.apifishcare.com/product.php?sectionid=1&catid=18&subcatid=0&id=587#.WcBKs60ZNYc

Where are you located? If you get a winter where you pond could freeze over, you'll need to find and fix the leak before winter, or re-home the fish so you can repair the pond next spring.

 

[Dede]

Welcome and are you certain they are Koi and not goldfish. Many goldfish look very similar but whatever they are the pond itself is a bigger priority. Regardless of size , I notice you have a waterfall, does it work? How much water do you have to add? Are you using tap or well water? Is there any pump running?

No pump running, adding water with irragation water from the lake near by and put hose at top of water fall to get some airation ?? Adding 1 to 2 inches of water a day depends on weather

 

[peta hillman]

Having that shade will help tremendously in the battle against algae.
And welcome!

 

[Dede]

Welcome!
For starters, I would recommend buying a liquid test kit and determining what the water quality is.
This is a good kit to start out with:
http://www.apifishcare.com/product.php?id=670#.WcBKZa0ZNYc

In addition, also make sure to purchase a test kit to test the KH and GH:
http://www.apifishcare.com/product.php?sectionid=1&catid=18&subcatid=0&id=587#.WcBKs60ZNYc

Where are you located? If you get a winter where you pond could freeze over, you'll need to find and fix the leak before winter, or re-home the fish so you can repair the pond next spring.

Thank you I will start with the kits, we are in Ione CA winters fairly mild should not freeze over.

 

[Tula]

Welcome

 

[Dede]

Welcome and are you certain they are Koi and not goldfish. Many goldfish look very similar but whatever they are the pond itself is a bigger priority. Regardless of size , I notice you have a waterfall, does it work? How much water do you have to add? Are you using tap or well water? Is there any pump running?

How do you know if they are gold fish or koi ?

 

[Tula]

Koi have barbells and goldfish do not. The barbells look like " whiskers" Are you able to post some pictures?