New koikeeper and new pond questions

[Steve Nguyen]

Hi John,

welcome and nice setup! that's a big pond. I can only dream of big space like that at where I live.

btw, how do the little guys get off the island? I guess you didn't plan to let them off, else you would have build a bridge already. is there any tunnel or cave under the island?

Steve

[l113892]

A clarification just for information sake. On the subject of salt, IF you have a Nitrite reading that is lasting because of a new filter, etc., salt will inhibit the uptake of Nitrite by the koi, which will prevent the possibility of Nitrite poisoning. It was incorrectly stated that salt "relieves symptoms of nitrite poisoning". Depending on your Nitrite reading, a small amount of salt is all that is needed, usually 0.1 percent(roughly 1 pound per 100 gallons) salt will do the trick.

[John Kenny]

Again thanks to everyone for responding to my questions..

I live In Rhode Island up north you know the little one Providence RI

I use Laguna Master test kit PH - 7.0
Salt - .04
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 0
Amonnia - 0
GH - 40
KH - 10

Salt is left over from start up. I haven't been putting in any for a while.
Water change once a week approx 1500. gal
I have 94 koi in pond now. I also have 10 comets and to my surpise I have
some new fish I didnt buy, they are black look like gold fish also some multi colored and what looks to be small orange KOI I have bigger fish I bought whene I first filled pond and some that where given to me by lady who was moving away from the area.

The water I had deliverd was 7.0 ph no Chlorine and I have a well.

I had bought three fish from my local dealer in early june. All three got sick and died. I also have bought 4 others and they are fine from the same guy, I bought them before the other three got sick.
Now why do I have so many fish? EBAY!!! Yikes!

This is the formula New GUY me + (New to ebay) Bid on lot of 50 unculled domestic Koi & New to Ebay checked and rebid Wrong lot of 50 = 100 Unculled koi + 10 more for shipping losses That was late june all arrived alive and I have not lossed one yet all still living 3"-5 "

I have built two other ponds since small 275 gal med 800 gal
small one for sick and quarintine it is a rigid pond
The other is for showing off the best off the best I love them all

They are living ART to me we have names for most of them helps to keep track of them, you know Big red, goldy, brian, gary, tripod, Frankenstien ect...

Anyway I hope you all keep talking to me I like this site alot

[Russell Peters]

Quote: Originally Posted by l113892 A clarification just for information sake. On the subject of salt, IF you have a Nitrite reading that is lasting because of a new filter, etc., salt will inhibit the uptake of Nitrite by the koi, which will prevent the possibility of Nitrite poisoning. It was incorrectly stated that salt "relieves symptoms of nitrite poisoning". Depending on your Nitrite reading, a small amount of salt is all that is needed, usually 0.1 percent(roughly 1 pound per 100 gallons) salt will do the trick.

1 pound per 100 gallons salt is .125%, but if your nitrite level goes way up you should raise your salt level to .3% as that is about the level in your Koi. This will prevent your Koi from absorbing the nitrites.

Salt - If you don't need it, don't use it.

Also, I would recommend trying to raise your KH levels to at least 60 for better filter function.

[PapaBear]

A new ebay account can get you in SOOOOOOO much trouble
All things considered you're doing pretty good with the water except for one BIG thing. Kh/Gh too low.
You need to get some baking soda to elevate the Kh to 100+. Carbonates are essential for stabilizing ph and promoting good health for your Koi and your filtration. I would start adding 1 or 2 cups daily until the Kh was over 100, which with a pond your size will take a while.
You might want to think about going to http://www.pskoicom/
and check out the lithaqua.
http://www17.serrahost.com/servlet/pskoicom/Detail?no=6
It will take care of the Calcium Carbonate balance long term, which is much better than having to constantly use additives like B.S.
Drop Russell Peters a P.M. for detailed info.

[John Kenny]

I would like to know what everyone is feeding there KOI? I am feeding Tetra brand koi food growth and vibrance. Also how much do you guys feed at a time? I have read about 5min rule..

[MikeM]

I'm not sure where you are located. What is being fed will vary according to climate. I'm feeding high protein foods, but my pond is still not falling below 80F.... was exactly 80F at 7am this morning. In a cooler climate I'd be switching to a lower lipid (fats) content food.

The Tetra foods get knocked in the koi kichi circle. To get the price competitive, there are some shortcuts taken. But, the main shortcut is in the extruded pieces containing a lot of air. By volume, Tetra is not a good buy. By weight, it is a good buy. Personally, I think the Tetra foods are good ones for beginning hobbyists. The nutrition is certainly adequate. It sells rapidly so not much of an issue with it setting too long on a shelf. And, I think newbies tend to feed by volume, not weight of the food. As a result, they overfeed. The puffed air of the floating Tetra feeds offsets this tendency somewhat.

I don't go by the 5 minute rule. I let the fish tell me when they've had enough. This morning they consumed a cup of floating pellets in about 30 minutes before they were acting a bit too lazy for me to give them any more. I toss a few at a time in the pond. As long as the fish are acting eager to eat, I keep tossing a few at a time. Usually a cup of pellets is all my 15 get at one time. Sometimes its less. Their appetite varies. (Most are in the 22"-30" range.) I do not get the feeding frenzies other people get. But, I keep my fish well-fed and they have plenty of algae to graze all day long. Observe your koi and you will get to learn when they're just eating because it is there, not because they're hungry. I think the main thing, however, is to only feed what the fish will eat. If pellets are left floating along the edge uneaten, then they are being fed too much. There should never be uneaten food in the pond.

[Russell Peters]

Listen to Mike, he has some great advice and I agree with it entirely. The problem with Koi information is that it can come from the WRONG sources. This is probably why you found out about the 5 minute rule. Along the same lines, I was talking to Koizar yesterday and he read me an article from the San Jose Mercury News that came from the Home and Garden section. It seems that they are having a Home and Garden Show in San Jose this weekend. The article was supplied by Aquascapes, so you know it has to be wrong. It was titled something like "The top Ten Myths About Keeping Koi". I am not entirely sure about the title, but they had the audacity to say that Koi Do Not need depths of 3' - 4' , that Koi and plants do mix in the same space (this is very debatable), that you can have rocks on the bottom of your pond and so on. They were telling people the opposite of what the real Koi community believes because it sells their product, an 18" deep pond that can be put in in a day and costs $10,000. You really have to be careful of where you get your information.

[Tamianth]

Just to add to this, get yourself a copy of Koi Health & Disease-reloaded by Doc Johnson, a good microscope, join a Koi Club and deffinetly take a wet lab!

Very nice pond!

[PapaBear]

Quote: Originally Posted by Russell Peters ...The problem with Koi information is that it can come from the WRONG sources. ...The article was supplied by Aquascapes, so you know it has to be wrong. It was titled something like "The top Ten Myths About Keeping Koi". I am not entirely sure about the title, but they had the audacity to say that Koi Do Not need depths of 3' - 4' , that Koi and plants do mix in the same space (this is very debatable), that you can have rocks on the bottom of your pond and so on. They were telling people the opposite of what the real Koi community believes because it sells their product, an 18" deep pond that can be put in in a day and costs $10,000. You really have to be careful of where you get your information.

Be afraid... Be VERY afraid of bad advice . Fortunately for new Koi Keepers like you John, there are people on boards like this one who really do care about KOI . Many of them are long time Koi keepers like Mike, Dick, and so many others around here. Along with them there are some reputable dealers like Russell, who love the Koi, the hobby, and care about their customers. That is SOLID business practice. In both cases, you get some great advice.