Help w/ new pond (little)

[CarolinaGirl]

Quote: Originally Posted by huskerfan Yes, it definitely on the small side. but I also think this web site is occupied by a lot of 'purest' that think you need 2000-3000 gal ponds, blah, blah, blah and they’re right if it’s to be done under perfect situations.

well, if you look under the title of the board at the top...it says "straight from Japan for the SERIOUS hobbiest" so did you really expect anyone on a board for serious hobbiests would tell you it's OK to keep koi in a tiny water garden?

[PapaBear]

Quote: Originally Posted by huskerfan Yes, it definitely on the small side. but I also think this web site is occupied by a lot of 'purest' that think you need 2000-3000 gal ponds, blah, blah, blah and they’re right if it’s to be done under perfect situations. I've learned a lot the last couple weeks from surfing 'net: built a bio filter, added a second 258 gph filter/pump, use a shop vac and vacum bottom removing appx 20 gallons once a week, use salt, etc.. Yes it's 2-3 times a week upkeep, but the water tests out ok. I've also culled a couple of fish so I'm down to 2-8" & 3- 3-4" ….and yes I’m thinking about a LARGER pond for next year. http://www.koi.com.my/ http://www.watergardenauthority.com/...cal_Filter.jpg

Reef tank, Saltwater aquarium, Water garden, Tropical freshwater aquarium...
All the same. Get advice from anyone you want about the right way to keep your Koi...

BUT, at all costs you should avoid forums that specialize in KOI and definitely avoid asking anybody who actually knows anything about KOI and KOI PONDS about how to keep Koi healthy and build a decent pond for that purpose.
Besides, none of us really know anything about it. We just get off telling folks whose ponds are either gone to pot already or headed there fast that they need to do better. We just make it all up as we go along. We don't really know anything at all. Just a bunch of busybodies with time on our hands so we waste it telling you that you've got a problem on your hands and then we email each other about how much fun it was to yank your chain.
Enjoy your fish while they last. I'm sure the watergarden experts will be glad to sell you replacement for the dead and dieing for as long as you are willing. They'll sell you all the bottled bugs, water treatments, algae killers, plants, and the like until you've spend enough to build a real Koi pond and still have nothing but dead fish and the same small. stinky puddle to show for it.
At least you'll have the satisfaction of knowing how much smarter you are than us...

[carrie1964]

Quote: Originally Posted by huskerfan Yes, it definitely on the small side. but I also think this web site is occupied by a lot of 'purest' that think you need 2000-3000 gal ponds, blah, blah, blah and they’re right if it’s to be done under perfect situations. I've learned a lot the last couple weeks from surfing 'net: built a bio filter, added a second 258 gph filter/pump, use a shop vac and vacum bottom removing appx 20 gallons once a week, use salt, etc.. Yes it's 2-3 times a week upkeep, but the water tests out ok. I've also culled a couple of fish so I'm down to 2-8" & 3- 3-4" ….and yes I’m thinking about a LARGER pond for next year. http://www.koi.com.my/ http://www.watergardenauthority.com/...cal_Filter.jpg

Welcome back! I`m glad you are thinking about building a bigger pond.
2000-3000 gallons is NOTHING in the koi hobby! And even my 4000 gallon pond is far from a perfect situation.
If you do proceed with your new pond build , you will be very happy that you recieved this "tough love" approach.

[mstrseed]

Quote: Originally Posted by PapaBear Besides, none of us really know anything about it. We just get off telling folks whose ponds are either gone to pot already or headed there fast that they need to do better. We just make it all up as we go along. We don't really know anything at all. Just a bunch of busybodies with time on our hands so we waste it telling you that you've got a problem on your hands and then we email each other about how much fun it was to yank your chain.

Now the cats out of the bag.....................

[smithvillemike]

Welcome back. While some of the comments may seem a little harsh, the knowledge on this board is extraordinary. The more you read the posts here the more you will learn and your koi keeping will become better and much easier. Better for the koi and easier for you.

I personally have learned a tremendous amount here and in my opinion it is the best board for learning, but it is an advanced board, and while I haven't always understood some of what I read here, it gives me the foundation to go out and learn more. How can one learn if they don't know they need to learn.

Mike

[smithvillemike]

Quote: Originally Posted by MysticKoi Rats!!!

I have to admit I was getting worried.

[huskerfan]

Well excuseeee me!


First off, I don’t remember asking anyone if it was ok or expecting anyone, on a board for “serious hobbyists” to tell me it's OK to keep Koi in a tiny water garden. I do now see that it's not.

Second, Papa Bear lighten up! I probably should of said etc. ,etc. instead of blah, blah.
And I’m pretty sure between the ‘serious hobbyists’ of this web site and amateur hobbyist of the other sites I can somehow muddle thru this hobby. So I’d like to keep coming back for more expert admonishment.

I’ve learned a lot the last couple weeks, does not mean I know it all, not even close. I also know that even with the changes made come fall, I’ll need to do something with the fish.

And I know what many of you are going to say, but I’ll throw it out there. My house has an un insulated aluminum sunroom facing south, if I built an indoor above ground 8’x2’x3’ (appx. 350 gal.) and using, say a 20 gal. bio filter, airstone, 500-700 gph pump(s) with outlet on one side and return on far side, creating a slight current. How many & size would that support? Also, does anyone know how bad the condensation might be?
Thanks,
Mark

P.S
Bear,
I’ve already discovered what your talking about when it rains, at least with a small pool I can make quick water adjustments…but it seems water adjustment to be needed 2, 3 4 times a week.

[CarolinaGirl]

Bare minimum size for a koi pond is 1000 gallons, allowing 300 gallons per fish. And that is BARE minimum. Any thing smaller than that should stick with goldfish instead. You are talking about a pond that is only 24" wide. Within 3 years at the most, a koi could not even turn around in there. Please...consider goldies. they are fine with 50 gallons each and since it's inside, you could go with fancies. Another possible problem. Your sunroom is uninsulated and south facing, meaning temperature probably fluctuates a lot. That means the pond temperature will also fluctuate, which is very bad for fish.

[Flounder]

Quote: Originally Posted by huskerfan And I know what many of you are going to say, but I’ll throw it out there. My house has an un insulated aluminum sunroom facing south, if I built an indoor above ground 8’x2’x3’ (appx. 350 gal.) and using, say a 20 gal. bio filter, airstone, 500-700 gph pump(s) with outlet on one side and return on far side, creating a slight current. How many & size would that support? Also, does anyone know how bad the condensation might be? Thanks, Mark

Now, now guys and gals let's help Mark out and not scare the heck out of him. It's a new hobby and he's at the right forum. Would you rather him go to another forum that none of us like?

I too was in your shoes a few years ago Mark but read alot and asked some questions. In all, the most I've learned are from my own mistakes/experiences, what the ppl here are trying to do is to help you with their experiences so that you won't suffer like we did at first.

To answer your questions, it will support about 3-4 small koi (5-8") but not for long. These will grow quick and overwhelm your filters and lead to shitty water quality. Expect to do water changes every other day if you intend on feeding them alot. Watch the water surface for bubbles that does not dissolve, this will tell you that the DOCs are high and a water change is needed. Remember in such a small holding tank there is not much room for errors.

As for the humidity/condensation, if it's an enclosed room the condensation will be there. I don't know what part of the country you're in but if the outside humidity is not high then opening a window will help or get a dehumidifier.