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Q and A; or...HELP!
Do you have a question about ponding,
planting, fish, filtration? Send us an e-mail.
We will do our very best to answer it.
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- I am a new pond owner -- 6 months. Kalamazoo,
MI. 780 gallons, non-filtered, but with 2 levels separated
by a 2.5' rock waterfall and 4 ft streambed for aeration/filtration.
1 koi, 8-10 " by now, and 7 goldfish 3" - 6". 1 lotus, 2
water lilies, 1 pickerel rush, 1 parrot feather, 2 reeds
in the short stream bed at the base of the waterfall, 2
huge taros and a couple of papyrus plants - the smaller
kind upstairs. Water lettuce so healthy I've been culling
and composting non-stop all summer. String alge, but nothing
I can't live with. I may as well tell you I've never tested
the water, though I have the chemicals to do it -- I have
aquarium fish.
It is the best gardening I've ever done.
HOWEVER -- Those wretched goldfish spawned twice this summer
and left me with what looked like (among all the plant life)
literally 100s of fry.
QUESTION 1 -- How long would it take
those babyfish to kill off my pond (i.e. other fish, plants),
if I didn't do anything?
What I did to solve this problem (this
might have been rash) was to catch a large-mouth bass
of just-legal size (not big enough to eat the parental
fish, although I have a couple of frogs I'm worried about)
and introduce him to the pond.
QUESTIONS 2/3 -- Just how rash was that?
Have I endangered my domestics?
The fry are gone, and I mean GONE after
a week. My domestic fish, even the koi, who definitely
has weight on the bass, if not length, are nervous and
hiding behind the plants. They will come out and feed,
but it takes them some time of me sitting there with the
food floating. I have not seen the bass since I introduced
him.
It seems obvious that I need to get
the wild guy out, just to make the others happy. I thought
about keeping him and giving him live bait for food, but
that now seems like not such a good idea. But it does
make me curious what other pond gardeners have done to
control their goldfish population. I read the recommendation
to pump into a pool, move your desireables, cull, etc.
etc., but it seems just as stressfull to the fish and
the plants as what I've done.
Context, observations, beratement, all
would be welcome.
QUESTION 4 -- Is there an organization
you are aware of that is closer to me than yours? are
you a local or regional group?
majda (added 9-25-04)See
reply.
- We became members on Sunday. just came
back from the show and loved it...acknowledging "rule number
one" we bought too many new fish. Fortunately we have a
large (3000 gallon) pond with plenty of cirulation/filtration(6600pgm).
What is the best way to sort/rid/screen our baby koi born
this year? Many are ugly brown and we otherwise have too
many. We have lotza plants so netting them is way too hard.
Is it best to wait until fall when the plants are dying
and the fish slowing down? I don't want to stress the others
any more than necessary, so I'm hoping for some type of
baby fish trap that only allows the small fish to enter,
but not leave, and then i could sort/rid. Can't find any
thing on the web... See
reply.
- My husband and I have a small hilly farm
in West Virginia. A few years ago we had two farm ponds
made - a fairly large one (60' x 40'? a guess) and a smaller
one (20' x 25' ?). We stocked them (with bad advice from
a "consultant/supplier") with koi and goldfish. For the
past 4 years or so, the pond has been very muddy and the
banks are being chewed into, the damage is getting to be
significant and we are concerned that in a few more years
the "dam" side of the pond (catches runoff augmented by
a small spring) will be weaken and break through. Neither
pond has a liner. Reading your article points out that we
probably shouldn't be trying to raise exotic fish in a wild
setting, for the many reasons you mentioned.
We probably have around 15 large koi (16-18 "?) and numerous
smaller koi. With them we have a number of small gold fish.
The pond doesn't seem to be overpopulated, but it is difficult
to know because the water is always muddy. We are only feeding
them occasionally. We are not fish experts and don't really
know the best step to take. We would be willing to have
the fish removed and taken to a good/better home... See
reply.
-
Hi
All. I saw your email address in the Midwest Koi and Pond
Society web site. We are
definitely at the "low end" of the intensity
of Water Gardens, but have a problem this year that is
threatening out entire population of Koi and Goldfish.
We have Furunculosis (Hole In Side) based upon my very
limited knowledge of koi diseases, and due to observations
off various pictures of diseases off the web.
Briefly, it
must have been due to the difficulties in keeping our
water quality... it has been a large battle all year.
No new fish introductions this year whatsoever. I've had
horrible problem with Alge (Green water), as well as Ph
fluctuations. Amonia and Disolved Nitrites have not been
a problem this year (For the most part).
I have been
testing (Ph, Salt, Amonia , etc.) and attempting to make
non-radical corrections all year. including ~ 75% water
replacement if extreme levels were observed. We
have two outdoor "ponds" of roughly 125 gallons
each.
We have been
treating with "Tea Extract" bought from a local
store, and running our salt content towards the "High
Side" of recommended levels. This in some cases appears
to be helping (appearing to reduce some of the ulcers",
and most of the fish affected are extremely active in
normal activity, however seem to have severely reduced
appetites (floating food).
We have had
fry this year in both tanks, with the larges fry now showing
the disease. Our goldfish and koi (All about 6-10")
are showing signs of the disease now, with at least 3
severe cases. ANY SUGGESTIONS
on treatment (specifically in this region of the country...
temperature, etc.) would be appreciated.
Since we are
small scale hobbyists, we are not interested in "Expensive"
treatment, and would put down the entire stock if there
are no hopes, however most of the fish have been with
us for about 4 years, and hence the request at any thoughts
to save them.
Thanks in advance
for any ideas. Please drop me an email to both my work
email and home if any of you have time to respond.(Added
8/17/04) See
reply.
- Hi Bob,
Thanks for answering. Are hair algae and string algae the
same thing? The salt concentration reading I got was .02
and I guess it is supposed to be .10% . Would solar salt
be ok to use for this? I can divert the water so it does
not go into the pond, and I have pump and blossom head spray
I can keep running to arreate the water. so this could be
a closed system for as long as I wanted. I do have 2 small
bundles of barley straw in now , but I guess it takes some
time to work. Do you think I should add more salt? Also,.
if I block out the sun, would this help? Thanks again for
your help. If you don't like me sending you these questions,
let me know!
Hal (Added 8/11/04) See
reply.
- HI, I have a problem and am not sure
what to do. My pond is 7' wide by 14' long and average depth
is 3 &1/2 feet , containing about 2500 gallons. It is
spring fed with water coming in over a waterfall and going
out the overflow. I built it , with a rubber liner, a year
ago and put in 6 Koi and 2 water lilies. Early this summer
it was full of string algae, that kept rising to the top
in mats.I had the bottom covered with fist sized stones
and they were all covered. This was so bad I drained the
pond, took out all the stones and cleaned them and the rubber
liner and started over again. I filled the pond and yesterday,
2 weeks later added 10 water lilies, parrots feather, water
cress, water lettuce and 10 Koi and 6 gold fish about 4"
long. Now, today I notice the algae is starting to cover
the stones and the sides!
I tested the water and the PH is 7.3, the Ammonia was 0,
Nitrite was 0, salt level was 0.02% and water temp. is 55
degrees all the time. The pond is in full sun about two
thirds of the day.
I don't want the algae to get ahead like it did before.
Any help you can give me will surely will be appreciated.
Thanks so much, Hal (Added 8/10/04) See
reply.
- ...Right now I have 2 large comet goldfish,
2 small comet goldfish and 6 Koi, approx. 4.5 inches long.
I am keeping them for now in a 100 gallon tank outside with
80 gallons of water in it (down so they don't jump out).
I need to know how to make a home made Bio-Filter. Right
now, all I have is a submersible pump with small filter
on it, (filter is only two inches by 2 inches) that pumps
the water from bottom of tank and back in a water fall at
the top. 210 GPH pumped.
I give them a limited amount of three choices of goldfish
food twice a day. I also clean the small filter daily and
change 20% of the water daily. I also am adding 1.5 tablespoons
of aquarium salt per 16 gallons of water changed daily although
the carton says to use 3 tablespoons per 15 gallons. Salt
is "Evaporated Sea Water", manufactured by "Aquarium
Pharmaceuticals Inc". I also have 1/2 of tank covered
for shade from hot sun. I keep reading about adding so much
more salt? A lot more salt?
(1) Is it okay to change 20% of the water per day? They
seem more happy since doing it and it is keeping the Algae
under kind of control without using chemicals? Key words
are KIND OF................
(2) Is it okay to use a minimal amount of aquarium salt
all the time? I have been through Ich and Cotton disease
before using it? Again they seem healthier now that I am
using it?
(3) Could you tell me how to make a Bio-Filter cheaply?
(4) I live in northern Alberta, Canada. If I bring them
in for the winter, they would be at house temperature, do
I continue to feed them the same amount?
(5) If I placed them in an above ground 300 gallon tank
and used floating tank heater (for livestock), would they
be better off than in the house but cut back on feeding?
And if cut back on feeding, by how much? They would not
have any filter system if outside in the winter as the water
fall would freeze?
(6) Does salt control fish parasites, worms, flukes, etc.?
If not, do I treat them a couple of times a year for such
parasites as they came from a Pet Store where other people
say the fish come with such problems?
(7) I printed out any of your Questions and Answers pertaining
to me. Two things that scare me. Question 19 states 1 inch
of KOI per 20 to 25 gallons??? I understood when they were
still small, it was 1 inch of fish per 1 gallon? Second
was a Q and A that says Goldfish are okay wintering in an
Aquarium but Koi shouldn't be??? They should be in a tub???
I really wanted to be able to enjoy them in an aquarium
for the winter??? I thought a 77 gallon to a 90 gallon for
this winter and hopefully the next. In the spring, I would
relocate them to a 300 gallon horse tank??? (Added 8/4/04)
See reply.
-
Hello, I've set up my first pond and it
is a small one. 100 gal. I'm having a problem with the
green algae (pea soup). I've been using Pond Care Algae
Fix at times double dose with little or no results. I've
tried the water changes from doing only 10% to doing 60%.
I do have some live plants with no fertilizer spikes.
The filter is one that can handle up to
450 gal. at one ft. high and is cleaned every 3-5 days.
The fish are doing fine but I would like to see them more
than at feeding time. I used to feed 2-3 times a day (very
small amounts but have cut back to once a day ( larger
amount). The pond is in mostly sun but now I have been
putting up an umbrella to cut back on the sunlight to
only late in the day. Still I can't see more than 3"
into the pond.
I am on city water. Geneva, IL. HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Please
(Added 8/3/04) See
reply.
- We are building a new pond and want to
line part (not all) of the edge with round wood posts like
you see in Japanese garden ponds. My question is what type
of wood is used? I know not to use treated lumber, as it
will give off toxins. My pond will ultimately be 15,000
gallons.Also, how are the posts are installed? (Sent to
Anderson Japanese Gardens.
Added 7/14/04) See
reply.
- Hello, I'm not a member, but have just
found your website.
I have a small pond, approx. 250 gallons, with Shibunkin
goldfish that I have had going for about 8 years. I have
never had any major problems with my pond, or maintaining
a healthy pond, even tho I am not well versed in the biology
of it all.
My brother also has a smaller pond, and earlier this year
all of his fish died off mysteriously. I had no answers
for him, other than to check the nitrate levels, which were
slightly elevated, but not bad. Now, all of of a sudden,
about a third of my fish died, after about three days of
non-movement in the water. They have been just sitting near
the top, not gasping for air or anything, but just like
they were sleeping. My pond looks normal for this time of
year - just like it has looked for the past 7 or 8 years.
I'm wondering if something external to the pond is going
on, like aerial spraying for gypsy moths, etc. Have you
heard of this happening anywhere else in the area?? I live
in Woodridge, my brother lives in La Grange. (7/14/04) See
reply.
- My pond is 12,000 gallons and is in full
sun. Every year my water turns green and stays that way
from July on with no visibility. I have a bio falls filter
from Aquascape and a large sand filter with a u.v. light.
A friend of mine says he will put in a bog (free of charge..can't
beat the price). I can't keep any plants within the pond
as Koi pull out as fast as I can plant. By the way, my pond
does NOT have any shelves, just a straight drop off to 5
and 6 feet. I think a bog would be very helpful and a nice
eye pleasing addition. my friend says he will put in IF
I come up with the plan. I have looked thru back issues
of the Newsletters and other litature available, but nothing
on bogs. Bob, can you help me with advice as where I can
find information for my size pond? Thanks A Bunch. (Added
5/25/04) See
reply.
(sent later)
Now I am so eager to get started, my poor "friend"
has no idea what he volunteered for. One final question,
and I promise not to "bug" you (at least for 24
hours). I have always said my U.V. light was not adequate,
but my last pond guy always disagreed with me. Within the
last 24 hours the light has burnt out and the unit is leaking
a good amount of water. Great timing! As now is the time
to replace the entire unit. For my volume of water (12,000
gallons) what size unit do you recommend?(Added 5/25/04)
See
reply.
- HELP! Can you all put your heads together
for a minute or two and offer some suggestions as to why
I have gold/amber/brownish colored water? I realize that
you don't have any details to base your opinion on---but
give me some ideas on what could cause it.
Please.
Briefly, the pond is about 6 years old. Aprox 4000 gal.
average of 4 ft deep. Last year the water turned this color
for the first time. I pressure wash the pond spring and
fall. Water changes during the season. Most people tell
me it is the filter media used, so I changed it. I went
from small pea gravel to the long strands of plastic ribbon,
now I am trying the kitty litter in baskets. After cleaning
this spring, things started to look better, even though
there was a slight amber color to the water I could actually
see my fish throughout the whole pond. However over the
last 2 weeks it has reverted back to golden/brown and I
can no longer see the bottom of the pond. Any guesses? I
am getting so frustrated that I am about ready to fill the
thing in and have a really nice rock garden--with expensive
fertilizer. I will appreciate any ideas or thoughts that
you have. Thanks so much! (Added 5/14/09) See
reply.
- We are relatively new members of the MPKS
and have a question about our new pond. The surface area
is 25 X 50. Last night the pond was filled to just below
the skimmer overflows, all the pumps were running so all
the waterfalls were working. This morning the water level
is 4-5 inches below our marker rocks. One skimmer is getting
ready to suck air. What is the evaporation rate for this
size pond in this area that might result in this much of
a water level decrease or do we have a leak? I hope you
can help us out. I can't see adding this much water to this
pond every day. (Added 5/13/09) See
reply.
- I own a small par 3 golf course in Delavan,
Wi. and have a small retention pond that I can fill with
a well or rainwater. The retention pond feeds my watering
system on the course. It fills with algae and is located
right next to my parking lot and becomes a eyesore. Keeping
in mind that I water the course with this water, is there
anything I can do to kill the algae??? This time of year
I have considered putting weed killer in the water and water
the course for the broadleaf weeds. Just kidding. Any help
would be appreciated. (Added 5/11/09) See
reply.
-
...First, why can't I keep
any of my water plants alive? I have a filtration system
that has the regular old white filter and a charcoal filter.
Second, I have been using algicide blocks(cubes), yet
I still have tons of algae.
And finally, I love my backyard pond (and fish), but I
just don't think I know enough about it to keep it healthy.
Can you suggest a good book to get me going on the right
track as far as learning the basics (i.e., how often to
empty and re-fill, when to add salt, etc.)?
I don't know if you need the stats on the
pond itself, but, just in case: ~4ft deep (with 3 shelves
around the perimeter at ~2ft deep), 3x5ft (WxL). It sits
in FULL SUN (hence the algae problem). See
reply.
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