the value of air

[tranquility]

I am really enjoying this subject...I will have to read it a few times to really get it...but, I think I will .....
Lawanna

[dick benbow]

there are some communicators that spell it out nicely when they post a concept. And that is always welcome. Because I like involvement and contribution, I like to develop a topic differently. Because many contributors share in different ways and concepts and I think ideas get across better than just one influence or vision.

I started this thread because I think the subject is often taken by many as "duh, yeah they need air"...but the truth is that it helps with health of the koi and filter, provides an aerobic
condition for the right bacteria, helps with digestion and a miriade of other things. This spring
I swapped my 40 highblows out for 120 alitas and within 20 minutes I had koi cruising on the top looking for food. So there is a definite cause and effect. I'll run this extra air till fall when the temps and the metabolism of the koi begin to wane.

[smithvillemike]

Why do you think that they came to the top cruising for food?

[dick benbow]

think the increased aireation invigorated them in a positive manner

[moikoi]

does my waterfall help raise the O2 level?

[MikeM]

Waterfalls can be great aerators. The more the water is 'broken', churned and spread out to increase surface exposure, the more effective the fall as an aeration technique.

I use separate air pumps for each application, simply because when one goes kaput, there will still be the others.

Dick: Interesting observation. Many think a Bakki will provide great aeration. And, they do for the water showering down. But an airstone at the bottom of a pond, or air domes, will do far more to expose the wayter to the air surface for re-oxygenation.

[dick benbow]

bubble size when you get down to splitting hairs also makes a difference

[moikoi]

any difference if i added airstones inside the filter chamber or the bottom of the pond?

[moikoi]

Quote: Originally Posted by dick benbow there are some communicators that spell it out nicely when they post a concept. And that is always welcome. Because I like involvement and contribution, I like to develop a topic differently. Because many contributors share in different ways and concepts and I think ideas get across better than just one influence or vision. I started this thread because I think the subject is often taken by many as "duh, yeah they need air"...but the truth is that it helps with health of the koi and filter, provides an aerobic condition for the right bacteria, helps with digestion and a miriade of other things. This spring I swapped my 40 highblows out for 120 alitas and within 20 minutes I had koi cruising on the top looking for food. So there is a definite cause and effect. I'll run this extra air till fall when the temps and the metabolism of the koi begin to wane.

Dick
what water temp before you switch to a bigger pump?

[dick benbow]

I switched over at 64 F when I went to Hikari all seasons from Hikari sinking wheatgerm.
My air pumps support the filter system and my return from the filters and an independant
bakki system support the pond.