Summer Pond Tips
Low Oxygen levels Kill Fish
Use an oxygen tester and air stones to keep your available
oxygen level to at least 7.0 parts per million of dissolved
oxygen in 90 degree F. water. Koi and goldfish start showing
signs of stress at oxygen levels of 4.0 ppm and will start
dying at 3.0 ppm. The higher the water temperature goes the
less oxygen that's available. Water temperatures over 90
degrees will also affect fish health so keep the temperature
under control by providing shade during the hottest parts of
the day.
It's Parasite Season
Warm water causes an increase in parasites such as anchor
worms, fish lice or flukes. Some parasites such as anchor worm
and fish lice are visible and can be treated with Dylox,
Dipterex or Masoten.
Invisible parasites such as external protozoa and flukes can
not be seen but they usually cause symptoms including extra
thick mucus, constant scratching by rubbing against objects,
flashing, or jumping. Some variations will cause a noticeable
head shaking and yawning. COntact your pond specialist for
treatments because different symptoms are indicative of
different infections. Follow label instructions at all times
or you could cause serious injury or death to your fish.
Summer Koi Feeding Tips
If you water is between 70 to 85 F. then feed a low protein
food in a quantity that is equal to 1.0% to 1.5% of total koi
body weight in pond. Estimate total koi body weight in pond
and feed recommended % of food daily based on season and water
temperature divided into intervals of about 2-2-1/2 hours.
Takes koi about 2- 2-1/2 to digest food in warmer water and
4-8 hrs in colder water when feeding is begun. So in warmer
ideal water temperatures feed 5-8 times daily the individual
portions totaling daily amount needed. In cooler temperatures
feed 1-3 times daily.
Sunblock for your Koi
Koi are not immune from sunburn, especially in shallow ponds
that get direct sunlight. Provide shade such as water lilies
or a rock overhang. Even a beach umbrella will do in a pinch.
Watch for Evaporation
Depending upon the surface area of your pond, you can lose
several inches per day to evaporation. Monitor and adjust your
water levels daily or as neccessary. Remember, do not use
water with chlorine in it if you have fish!
Five Quick Tips For Healthy Summertime Water
1. Ensure that you have good mechanical and biological
filtration and that your pump will turn the pond water over
totally at least twice per day.
2. Operate the pump 24 hours a day.
3. Provide adequate shade by having 60 to 70% of the pond's
surface area covered with floating plants or other types of
shade.
4. Add water clarifiers and bottled bacteria if your water
remains cloudy even when good filtration is present.
5. Test oxygen levels daily and add air stones if levels fall
below 7 PPM.
************************************************
Brett Fogle is the owner of MacArthur Water Gardens and several
pond-related websites including macarthurwatergardens.com and
pond-filters-online.com. He also publishes a free monthly
newsletter called PondStuff! with a reader circulation of over
9,000 pond owners. To sign up for the free newsletter and
receive a complimentary 'New Pond Owners Guide' for joining,
just visit MacArthur Water Gardens by clicking the link above.
>
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