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| F R E Q U E N T L Y A S K E D Q
U E S T I O N S |
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Having bought a new Koi, how long should it
be allowed to remain in the bag, floating on the surface of the quarantine pond?
Thirty minutes is the normal time to allow the temperature in the bag to equalise
with that of the water.
Within a quarantine system, is it okay
to keep a Koi on its own?
Koi prefer to have some company, so it is best to always keep a couple of inexpensive
Koi or goldfish in the quarantine. area at all times. Apart from anything else,
the presence of fish will keep the filter 'ticking over'.
What
is a Koi sock?
This is a fine mesh, soft net, about 36 in long and open ended. It is attached
at one end to an 8in-11in diameter head with a short handle. Having netted a Koi
from the pond into a floating bowl, the Koi sock is a good way to move the fish
to a polythene bag, for example.
What does Nishikigoi mean?
It is the Japanese word for brocaded carp.What are 'dead' areas in a pond?
This usually occurs in an unusual or irregular-shaped pond, where it becomes difficult
to circulate water properly. It results in areas of stagnant or dead water.
What effect does temperature have on Kol colours?
Very warm weather causes pigments to contract, whereas in lower water temperatures
they expand. This means that the Koi look their best in cooler months.
Spring is often said to be a dangerous time for Koi - why is this?
Your Koi will become more active as the weather warms up, and you will have to
make sure that your filter is ready for the increased production of fish waste.
Otherwise water quality parameters will be badly affected.
What
is the average life expectancy for Koi?
This very much depends on the skill of the Koi keeper, the pond environment, stocking
rates and actual health of an individual fish. For various reasons, some will
die not long after being introduced into a pond. Others will thrive and can survive
for upwards of 30 to 50 years, all things being equal.
How can
I tell if Koi are male or female?
It's difficult with small Koi. With adult fish, females are usually a more full
cigar-shape, compared to leaner males.
What is the weight of 1,000
litres (imperial = 220 gallons) of water?
One metric ton.
With consistent Koi fatalities in a pond who can
provide help?
There are several'sources of help - vets, Koi clubs, Koi specialist outlets, independent
Koi consultants and experienced Koi keepers.
Having been torpid
during winter, at what temperature does the Koi's immune system regain efficiency?
Normally at about 13'C or 14'C, or 55'F to 57'F if you prefer Fahrenheit.
Which is the most famous place in Japan for Koi?
Niigata is recognised as the home of Koi, where many top breeders and fabulous
fish can be found.
How much should a good quality Koi cost?
It's impossible to give a definitive answer. Koi come in a host of varieties and
sizes, which is reflected in the selling price a dealer charges. The best quality
comes from Japan and they will command a higher price. This is not because of
the long journey to the UK (although, of course, that is a factor), but quite
simply because they are superior fish. It is probably best to decide beforehand
how much you want to spend, then shop around until you find that special Koi which
is within your budget.
Price aside, what are the key points to
look for when buying Koi?
Koi should be alert, eager to feed and free of blemishes, sores or split fins.
Be wary of a fish that seems to be 'sulking' on its own or with clamped fins,
as this indicates health problems. Always ask to see the fish bowled up, for closer
inspection. Try to build a relationship with your local specialist Koi outlet
and once this has been established you can buy with more confidence. |
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Should a waterfall be turned off in winter?
Most certainly, yes. In an unheated pond, fish will tend to huddle together at
the bottom. A running waterfall will not only disturb their 'enforced rest' (and
thereby wasting valuable energy) but will also have the effect of lowering pond
temperatures even more.
When adding necessary medication to the
pond, is it okay to leave the UV unit on?
Always switch off the UV before treating a pond, as the UV light will reduce the
effectiveness of the medication. Leave it off for three to five days to ensure
the medication has had sufficient time to work.
When building
a Kol pond are bottom drains really necessary?
Without any doubt they are a vital part of any set up. Without the means to easily
flush harmful waste products from the pond, the build up of toxins will cause
health problems. The only other alternative is, of course, the use of a purpose-made
pond vac. This is time consuming, needs to be done frequently and can disturb
the fish. Who wants to be doing this on a rainy night when with a bottom drain,
all that needs to be done is to pull a valve or standpipe?!
What
is a Hiblow?
It's probably the most popular air pump in the UK. It's used with airlines to
power air stones in filter bays and/or ponds for excellent aeration.
What are the benefits of water purifiers?
They improve the water quality for Koi by treating chlorine, chloramine, pesticides,
insecticides and 'metals' often present in mains water.
Will an
ultra-violet (UV) unit kill blanket weed?
No, sadly not. However, it will most certainly effectively eliminate green water.
What is the average effective life for a UV tube?
This depends upon whether or not it is switched off during the long winter months.
Either way, to ensure constant performance, it should be changed annually - usually
in the spring. |
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Would hair rollers be just as good as Flocor
in a biological filter?
Yes, and they are probably a lot cheaper to buy brand new.
When
cleaning any filter media, such as foam cartridges or matting, which water should
he used?
Only pond water, never tap water.
What does Zeolite do?
When placed in a filter, it will absorb ammonia from the water. However, it has
a limited life and requires 'recharging' in salt at regular intervals (l lb of
salt per gallon for 24 hours). This should be done out of the pond and filter.
How big should a filter be?
It is vital you choose a filter big enough to handle your pond's volume and intended
stocking level. If the surface area of the media in the proposed filter is between
25 and 30 per cent of the surface area of the pond you won't go far wrong. However,
if there is a high stocking level you will need to increase the size of the filter.
Within a filtration system, what does "tracking" mean?
A dysfunctional fitter which does not have the facility to flush to waste, in
every chamber, allows a build up of sludge. Eventually, this will block all or
part of the media and the water passing through will create its own route. The
end result is 'tracking'. Bad news for the Koi.
What is the ideal
retention time in a biological fitter?
It depends on the size of the pond, but in order for the aerobic bacteria to be
effective, aim for around 20 minutes.
What is new pond syndrome?
An immature filter on a new pond is the cause of this. Bearing in mind that it
takes time to develop a population of micro-organisms within a filter, ammonia
and nitrite readings will fluctuate. To allow the filter to develop adequately,
fish should be gradually introduced, one or two at a time over a few months. Also,
avoid overfeeding which again puts too much of a strain on an immature filter.
In establishing a new biological filter, is there a safe way to boost
its performance?
Products such as ABA, Polybac, Activex, Bio-Claire Advance, to name but a few,
will certainly do the trick here. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions
to the letter. Ask for your local Koi dealer's help when choosing the right one
(see Koi, Ponds & Gardens' classified section to find your local dealer).
What is biomass?
This is a living organism of micro-organisms which breaks down harmful waste and
removes toxins. The biomass performs best in temperatures of 10'C to 40'C, requires
plenty of oxygen and an adequate source of food. It is nature's helping hand for
the Koi keeper and must be maintained at a high level. Beware of the use of chemicals
in the pond, as this will reduce the biomass population considerably.
If pond medication is unavoidable, how can the biomass be brought back up to
strength again?
The products mentioned above are not only beneficial for starting up a new pond,
they can be used on an ongoing basis to constantly boost the biological process.
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