Introduction

[Bighungryfish]

My name is Sandra. I have lots of interests but my favorite topic is my garden and koi pond. I will post pictures when I have more time. I have a fairly large pond that is about 4 years old now. The pond is 16' long, 9' across and 4' deep. I dug it myself and put it together. I did the initial thing that most beginners do and added far too many 2-3 inch koi . O'kay,(head hung shuffling feet) 23 to be exact. Lots of initial spikes in balance of immature pond but unbelievably I did not lose but one fish the first year. The second year a couple of racoons got about 12 of the fish and now I have about 12 left. All of which are over 12inches. I have a pressure flow laguna external bio filter with UV 3200 with submersable pump in one end and a smaller system in the other end. I suspect that I still have too many fish as my ammonia levels are high right now. I'm thinking that with the size of the fish I have, 6 might be better. I have lots of plants inside the pond at the edges and sunlight about 2-3 hours a day. No problem with string algae or blanket weed and the water is clear but I do get leaves and debri from a neighbors nasty privet tree..Yuk! Could the rise in ammonia levels be due more to that than the fish waste? I clean the foam filters once a week but never touch the bio media. Is there a good vacuum system for sucking up the muck and not disturbing the biology of my pond. I hate adding any chemicals as this seems to just disturb the natural ecology. Fish are thriving, never flash and seem very healthy and active. Should I reduce the amount of fish? I'll look at some threads for answers...

 

[hewhoisatpeace]

Welcome to the forum. I'd check out the DIY section, and consider adding to your bio filtration. Giving away a fish or two would be the fastest way to drop ammonia, though.

 

[DrDave]

That size pond is about 4,000 gallons. You should not have any problem. I have more than you in about 1,800 gallons right now and my water is perfect.
You may have too much muck built up in the bottom. I would check that and for any dead fish. Another is food, How often are you feeding them. Mine only get fed once a day. Sometimes we treat them with rice, veggies or fruit.
I put in 1 handfull of koi pellets for each 3 Koi, thats it.
Mine are all healthy, active and producing.
Do a water change and vacuum the bottom.

 

[Bighungryfish]

Thanks Dr.Dave, I appreciate the comment...I would hate to give away any fish. They're like my kids. I feed them two times a day and I think I will cut back to once. I think it's more the debri on the pond bottom. I did a partial water change yesterday and that helped. The water is clear but has a brown tint to it which I think comes from the bottom muck. Any recommendations on a good vacuum?

 

[DrDave]

I use a big net to get out the big stuff. Then I have a 3200GPH submersible that catches the small stuff that is in solution and trap it in a fines filter. You can make one easily out of a clothes basket and some quilting material.
The brown tint is from leaves and stuff in the muck.
Good circulation is key to preventing this in the first place.

 

[addy1]

Thanks Dr.Dave, I appreciate the comment...I would hate to give away any fish. They're like my kids. I feed them two times a day and I think I will cut back to once. I think it's more the debri on the pond bottom. I did a partial water change yesterday and that helped. The water is clear but has a brown tint to it which I think comes from the bottom muck. Any recommendations on a good vacuum?

If you have a shop vacuum they work well use the sears drain attachment for easy emptying.