| Water quality is to Koi as air quality is to humans. | | | | temperatures can deplete the dissolved oxygen |
| This is why Koi water quality has more impact | | | | content of the pond water. Keeping track of your |
| than anything else on your fish's overall health. | | | | pond's temperature via a thermometer is also |
| Low oxygen in a pond can kill every fish in the | | | | recommended. Always try to maintain a reading |
| pond literally overnight. High ammonia levels can kill | | | | of 6.0ppm and over. If you are having difficulty |
| fish within several days. But, even borderline levels | | | | consider adding aeration with a suitable air pump |
| of oxygen, ammonia and nitrates can impact your | | | | and air stones and/or installing a waterfall. It is not |
| Koi's immune system enough that they contract | | | | healthy for your Koi to be gasping for air at the |
| other life threatening problems. | | | | top of the pond! |
| Pond water conditions can vary significantly on a | | | | 3. pH test - For healthy Koi water readings, we |
| day-to-day basis. This is especially true when a | | | | require a pH reading of between 7.00 to 8.00 |
| new pond goes through the initial 'maturing | | | | although a reading of 7.5 to 7.8 is optimal. In a |
| process'. | | | | new pond the pH reading can fluctuate from |
| As a responsible Koi owner you you need to | | | | morning to night in addition to day-by-day. It is |
| perform frequent "indicator" Koi water tests to | | | | advisable to take morning and evening readings |
| make sure the water in your pond is of a | | | | and record them every two days until they are |
| sufficient quality to support Koi health. The reason | | | | stabilized. For mature ponds, generally a monthly |
| they are called indicator tests is because they are | | | | or quarterly pH test is all that is required. |
| not as accurate as those done in a laboratory | | | | 4. Nitrite test - This reading should be zero for |
| setting. | | | | optimum water conditions. However, it will vary |
| You could send a water sample in to a lab for a | | | | widely in new ponds and can prove to be serious |
| complete water analysis but this is generally not | | | | if not addressed promptly. If the reading is high |
| economically feasible. | | | | then feeding should cease and constant new |
| The following are the suggested Koi water tests: | | | | water added to the system until the bacterial |
| 1. Ammonia test - This reading should be zero. | | | | activity in the filter begins to be able to handle the |
| Ammonia build-up can be fatal to your Koi. The | | | | nitrite build-up. Nitrite readings should be taken and |
| initial maturing process in your pond can take over | | | | recorded on a daily basis until they are consistent. |
| six weeks to stabilize and high ammonia readings | | | | After that monthly or quarterly tests should be |
| can be extremely dangerous. Water changes can | | | | fine. |
| reduce ammonia build-up and daily tests are | | | | Although there are also many other types of |
| extremely important in new ponds. | | | | tests available, these four tests are sufficient to |
| 2. Dissolved Oxygen test - This test is very | | | | ensure adequate Koi water quality. |
| helpful during the hotter months when high water | | | | |