| Water quality testing is important, especially when | | | | fresh water should have pH level of 7. Water with |
| you are starting a new fish pond or filter. This is | | | | a lower pH level is deemed acidic while alkaline |
| the time when the bacteria in the biological filter | | | | water would have higher pH. Chalk, limestone, |
| are trying to grow and establish the biological | | | | coral or seashells dissolved in water will produce |
| filtration action. Ammonia and nitrite will be present | | | | higher pH. pH level is usually determined by your |
| in the pond during the initial stage of nitrogen | | | | water supply. Koi requires a pH slightly above 7. |
| cycle. During this time, risk of fish fatality is high. | | | | The best way to control pH is to include crushed |
| Experienced pond keepers will not risk putting in | | | | coral ships or seashells as one of your filter media. |
| expensive, show grade Koi into the pond until | | | | The carbonate in them will acts as a buffer |
| there is no ammonia or nitrite present, as | | | | against sudden, sharp drop in pH level which kills |
| determined by the water quality testing. As fish | | | | fish swiftly. |
| waste is needed to feed and cultivate the | | | | Oxygen level testing is important to determine if |
| bacteria in the new filter system, most pond | | | | you have enough aeration in your pond to |
| keepers will put in small feeder fishes or a few | | | | support the fish and plant population in your pond. |
| cheap, low-grade Koi to produce the needed | | | | Do this at the onset of a new pond or when |
| waste. It normally takes a few weeks for the | | | | more fishes are added to the pond. Once you |
| biological filter to establish itself. During this time, if | | | | have the right level of aeration, the oxygen level |
| the pond keeper controls the number of fish in | | | | seldom fluctuates a lot unless you have a broken |
| the pond, amount of fish food given and take | | | | pump. |
| remedial actions when water testing shows poor | | | | Nitrate is an output of your biological filter. Nitrate |
| water quality, fish lost can be avoided. | | | | is harmless to fish in small quantities but nitrate |
| Other times when water testing should be done | | | | level should be kept low. When the nitrate level |
| are when you have recently added more fish to | | | | goes beyond the level indicated in the test kit, it |
| your pond. This is the time when the water | | | | means it is time for partial water change. Other |
| parameters will deviate from the norm as the | | | | symptoms of excessive nitrates will be excessive |
| filter adjust to the new load of waste matters | | | | algae growth (greenish water) or brownish tint in |
| coming from the increased population. | | | | the water. |
| Besides ammonia and nitrite, the pond keeper | | | | One other thing is that you should observe your |
| should also test for other parameters like pH, | | | | Koi's behaviour daily during feeding. Your water |
| carbonate and general hardness, oxygen level and | | | | test kits should be used immediately when you |
| nitrate. | | | | notice any Koi behaviour changes. This is a sign |
| The pH level is a measure of the acidic or basic | | | | that they are not happy with their living |
| (alkaline) nature of a solution. Normal tap water or | | | | environment. |