Keeping your Cool
Longer days and relaxing summer
nights equals more time to enjoy your koi pond and water garden. However, along with the temperature change
means new challenges that you need to keep in mind this summer.
Pay attention to your fish and their
eating habits. During the summer, koi
and other pond fish will be more active than during the cooler months. This means they will want to eat more and
will in turn produce more waste. Stick
to your normal feeding habits to avoid poor water quality due to
overfeeding. Consider an automatic
feeder to take all the thinking out of it. Don’t feel as though you can’t treat your fish every now and then. You can get specific koi treats at any pet
store or fresh fruits and vegetables are also great treats. Stick around for a few minutes after feeding
so you can scoop out any left over floating food to keep waste to a minimum.
Boost your current biological filter
with supplementary filter media or bacteria. Bacterial additives break down toxic waste better when water
temperatures are higher. Keep in mind
that supplementing biological filtration during the summer months should only
be done in conjunction with increased oxygen levels.
Installing an aeration pump will
prevent havoc on your pond due to lack of oxygen. As water temperatures rise, your pond will
lose more and more oxygen. The supply of
natural oxygen will decrease during the summer while the biological demand
increases. Aeration will allow efficient
gas exchange to reduce buildup of harmful gasses while increasing oxygen levels
at the same time. Healthy levels of
oxygen in your pond will keep your fish healthy and happy.
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