Koi pond newbie

[AdrianaLevef]

Hello!

My name is Adriana and I consider myself a newbie. We bought a our house in 2015 and it came with a koi pond. After an unfortunate incident last summer, we lost all of our koi due to inadequate oxygen. For the past year I have dedicated nearly all my free time to this pond. I am happy to report that we have 15 thriving fish (13 koi, 1 goldfish, and 1 high fin banded shark), a couple fountains, plus many plants! (Our previous pond did not have plants.)

 

[Lisak1]

Welcome @AdrianaLevef ! What a pretty pond! How many gallons is it? Do you have filtration? Aeration? What made you conclude you had an oxygen problem?

 

[Mmathis]

Hello and welcome! Agree with what @Lisak1 said and asked.

 

[AdrianaLevef]

Welcome @AdrianaLevef ! What a pretty pond! How many gallons is it? Do you have filtration? Aeration? What made you conclude you had an oxygen problem?

It is 3300 gallons. We have a mechanical filter in the waterfall pump housing. We determined it was an oxygen issue after ruling out all other issues. There were no signs of disease, and all other levels tested perfect. After the die off, we discovered that, although we thought there were 3 or 4 catfish in the pond, we in fact had 15. Add that to our 17 mature koi (all over 20 inches and some over 30), and we were hopelessly and unknowingly overstocked. Needless to say, the catfish are gone, we added two fountains to the existing stream and waterfall, and also added plants - all to try to avoid any future oxygen issues.

 

[AdrianaLevef]

Here is an angle that shows the stream and waterfall. This was taken before I added the pickerel rush plants.

 

[RobAmy]

Welcome and very nice looking pond

 

[Lisak1]

we were hopelessly and unknowingly overstocked.

That was my assumption - most don't realize how quickly that can happen. They say "but I've had THESE fish in THIS pond for years - why now?" There's a tipping point - and once it happens, it happens fast. We all learn as we go - and when we know better, we do better!

Lovely pond!

 

[Becky]

Hello and welcome! You have a very pretty pond

 

[sissy]

welcome and looks like your hard work has paid off .

 

[Stephen Noble]

Welcome Adriana! Beautiful pond. I especially like how the upper deck wraps around. Perfect vantage point. Glad to have you as a member.
Stephen

 

[ShawnInfirmity]

Welcome @AdrianaLevef , your pond is very nice!

 

[Somethin' Fishy]

Welcome Adriana! What a lovely job you did restoring the pond, it's beautiful!

 

[Tara]

Hello. Just looking at your pictures, and I think your pond is fabulous. I really love the ivy growing around the stream. Glad your fish are doing well.

 

[Gemma]

Love your pond, too!

 

[addy1]

Welcome! very nice pond!