Caring For a Koi Pond

If you have a koi pond, or are thinking of getting one, then you really need to stop and think about how they are more than a place to keep your pet fish. Koi ponds are rather expensive to install, and as such need to be properly maintained and cared for, otherwise you can easily find yourself needing to do costly repairs, or even completely replacing the pond that you currently have. That doesn't even cover the actual fish themselves, which can easily end up getting sick or dying if you don't learn the proper methods of caring for a koi pond.

• Regularly test the water. One of the main methods available for caring for a koi pond is to regularly test the water. This will help you to determine whether or not there is any contamination within the water that you should worry about, how clean it is, and generally whether it is safe or not for your fish. Generally speaking, you should know what the pH balance of the water should be for your fish, and ensure that it stays within that range.
• Check the filtration system. Don't forget to periodically check the filters on the water filtration system. This will help ensure that the water stays clean enough for your fish, and that it doesn't become nasty and dirty. Another item that you should also take a look at is the water fall, or other aeration device that you have in your koi pond. This will also help ensure that the water has the proper mixture air so that the water doesn't stagnate and become dangerous to your fish.
• Don't let it freeze over. Koi fish have the wonderful habit of being able to go to "sleep" or hibernating during the wintertime to help protect themselves. However, just because they may be sleeping doesn't mean that you can let the pond freeze. If you notice that the pond is starting to freeze do what you can to help prevent that it isn't a complete freeze. For example, thaw out a small section of ice, so that there is a hole in it. This will help protect the fish from becoming too lethargic, and also help ensure that the water doesn't stagnate.
• Recognize illnesses. There is another aspect of maintaining and caring for a koi pond that many people tend to overlook: The koi themselves. Learn to recognize the signs and indications of the common illnesses, diseases, and other problems that can commonly affect these kinds of fish. By learning the indications, what causes the problems, and how to treat them, you can help prevent a large number of the biggest problems that can potentially befall your fish.