BASIC KOI CARE

• How big is my pond?
  To measure the gallonage of your pond, use the following calculations:
  Rectangular pond: Length x Width x Depth (in feet) x 7.5=gallons
  Circular pond: Area x Depth (in feet) x 7.5 = gallons
  [Area = Pi x radius squared] [Pi= 3.1416] [Radius= ½ diameter]
  
  
• What do I need to know about water quality and temperature?
  Lets start with the temperatures that the koi will live in. The most desired temperature range is between 68 - 75 degrees F. Below 55 degrees the fish will go into a light hibernation. Above 80 degrees you need to monitor dissolved oxygen levels a little more carefully.
  Dissolved oxygen refers to the oxygen available in the water for fish consumption. A waterfall, fountain, ornamental water spitter, and water disturbances create more oxygen in the water. You can also add air stones or other methods to disturb the water surface. Ph levels should be monitored in your pond. Test kits are available at most pet stores, by Internet, or by catalog. Koi prefer a ph level no lower than 6.8 and no higher than 8.0. There should not be a great level of fluctuation, since this can cause illness or death. Younger, smaller koi are more sensitive to the ph changes. You should also check the levels of Nitrites, and Nitrates. These levels tend to go up when you are cycling your filter or if you are having a problem in your filter, these levels may also go up.
  
  
• How should I care for my koi pond?
  In the winter you should not allow any organic debris to be left in the pond. The breakdown of this material is not healthy for your fish. Unless you live in an area where there are extreme winter conditions, you can leave the koi in the pond. The koi will go into a state of hibernation. In the spring, you should do a little spring-cleaning so to speak. Inspect your filter system, do a general clean up of the pond, and check the fish for any illness. This is the time of year when the koi are very susceptible to parasites and bacterial infections.
  
  
• When, how much and what should I feed my koi?
  You should feed your koi a quality koi food. This food is specially designed be digestible for koi and to keep your fish happy and healthy. During the winter season as soon as the water temperature goes below 55 degrees, do not feed your koi. In the winter months the koi's metabolism is slowed to a level of hibernation and they do not process the food properly. Once the temperature has warmed up in the spring you begin to feed them once a day. In the summer temperatures they like to be fed two to three times a day. Only feed the koi what they can eat in five minutes. If you overfeed, the extra food will go to the bottom and dissolve, causing problems in water quality.