This is an automatically generated discussion thread for the pond showcase "My Pond in PA". Please add to the discussion here.
My Pond in PA
- Thread starter KJLive
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TheFishGuy
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Wonderful! Also, what a nice collection of fish! 
j.w
I Love my Goldies
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- Arlington, Washington
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Very nice ponds and fish!
Thank you for the kind words!
Absolutely gorgeous!!! Thanks for sharing!
Absolutely gorgeous pond and setting - so peaceful!
I'm going to be nosy here and suggest your fish loss may have been due to an overloaded pond. I obviously can't tell how many gallons you have in your pond from the photos, but you do appear to have a good number of large koi. Every pond has a limit, and sometimes that limit is hit when the fish get just a tiny bit bigger. The thunderstorm may have changed the pH in the water just enough to push your pond over the edge and kill your fish. A rapid change in pH will kill fish almost instantly. I don't know the exact science behind the change (I believe it has to do with atmospheric pressure more than the actual rain, but I could be mis-remembering).
Sometimes I feel really hesitant to post this kind of comment as it can come across as critical - it's not. I would just hate to not say anything and have the same thing happen to you again. I've lost a whole pond full of big koi and know how hard that is.
I'm going to be nosy here and suggest your fish loss may have been due to an overloaded pond. I obviously can't tell how many gallons you have in your pond from the photos, but you do appear to have a good number of large koi. Every pond has a limit, and sometimes that limit is hit when the fish get just a tiny bit bigger. The thunderstorm may have changed the pH in the water just enough to push your pond over the edge and kill your fish. A rapid change in pH will kill fish almost instantly. I don't know the exact science behind the change (I believe it has to do with atmospheric pressure more than the actual rain, but I could be mis-remembering).
Sometimes I feel really hesitant to post this kind of comment as it can come across as critical - it's not. I would just hate to not say anything and have the same thing happen to you again. I've lost a whole pond full of big koi and know how hard that is.
I don't view your comments as negative. I feel the reason for forums is to get knowledge and ideas from other. "Not one of us is as smart as all of us!" Yes.....it may have been pH. In addition, my power was off and the falls had stopped for a period of time. A local pond place also stated it may have reduced oxygen levels as well. The smaller fish survived. The pond is about 1,500 gallons.
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Nice!
Where are you located? I know it's a big State we live in, but I'm in Mount Pocono.
Where are you located? I know it's a big State we live in, but I'm in Mount Pocono.
I live in Lebanon. Ironically, my wife and I have a 2nd home in Jim Thorpe! We enjoy Lake Harmony!
1500 gallons is small for koi - just something to be aware of as they grow. You can carry a bigger bio load in a pond IF you have heavy duty filtration. But a garden style eco-pond will struggle to support koi as they gain size and weight.
Here's an interesting chart that I like to share that compares the waste output of fish as they grow. In particular pay attention to the difference between say 6-3 inch goldfish and one 18 inch koi:
russellwatergardens.com
Here's an interesting chart that I like to share that compares the waste output of fish as they grow. In particular pay attention to the difference between say 6-3 inch goldfish and one 18 inch koi:
Koi Length and Weight - Ammonia Produced, and Waste Produced
This chart also lists koi weight by weight and how much ammonia and waste they produce. Koi get heavier as they grow and produce more ammonia and waste.
russellwatergardens.com
Thank you for the info. I have actually been very lucky. The majority of my Koi were only a few inches long when I purchased them. I built my filter into the side of the bank. It is a 35 gallon plastic drum that contains lingerie bags filled with lava rock. It is topped with a few lingerie bags of small river pebbles. I also have a pre-filter with media. The water pumps into a vertical piece of PVC with holes in the bottom. The water rises thru the bags and returns into my pond as the waterfall thru a hole in the side of the drum.1500 gallons is small for koi - just something to be aware of as they grow. You can carry a bigger bio load in a pond IF you have heavy duty filtration. But a garden style eco-pond will struggle to support koi as they gain size and weight.
Here's an interesting chart that I like to share that compares the waste output of fish as they grow. In particular pay attention to the difference between say 6-3 inch goldfish and one 18 inch koi:
Koi Length and Weight - Ammonia Produced, and Waste Produced
This chart also lists koi weight by weight and how much ammonia and waste they produce. Koi get heavier as they grow and produce more ammonia and waste.
TheFishGuy
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I forgot to ask, what type of rock did you use in the stacked waterfall? it looks nice and I am looking for something like that for my own pond!
Crazy story. I have a friend that owns a farm. There was an old barn on the property that he wanted to tear down. The barn was torn down and the limestone foundation remained. He hired a guy to remove the limestone. I asked to purchased some of the stone. He told me to just pay the dump truck driver to take it away. I paid $20/load and had a few loads delivered to my house. In my area in PA, limestone is very prevalent.