There is nothing more tranquil, then a pond with a small fountain or waterfall trickling and bubbling over stones. The scent of jasmine, roses or lilies wafting about in the air and the quiet interlude of fish, gently feeding from your hand. All sights and sounds of everyday living speeding past, just outside your yard, while you calmly survey and peacefully dream of another world, just below your fingers. This is the life of a Koi Pond owner.
The Koi is the most beautiful and colorful of all the domesticated pond fish. Keeping them requires at least a basic knowledge of a few essential koi supplies that are needed to keep them healthy and happy. Replacing the oxygen to the water is one of the most valuable of supplies and can be done with a simple fountain. This will drown out any of the unwanted sounds coming from the neighbors next door or the street in front of the house, while giving precious oxygenated water to your fish.
In order to maintain a high quality, clean water, it will be necessary to add a filtering system to your pond. The filter will remove pollutants as well as excess nitrogen that are continuously put into the pond by the fish excrements and various plant life. These filtration systems work by moving the water through the system, so it will be necessary to purchase and install a pump in addition to the one that moves water in the fountain or waterfall.
A must for koi owners and basic to koi supplies is having a good amount of high quality food. Koi enjoy a great variety of foods by they have need of the right balance of proteins, vitamins, minerals and trace elements to remain healthy and growing, that can be purchased in the fish food. Since koi can be trained to come and eat from their feeders hand, snacks and treats can be offered at special times during the day.
Koi are a very brilliant fish with a great variety of bright colors, which is highly enjoyed by their owners. However, this bright coloring is also an attractant for predators of the fish. When planning your pond, consider ways to protect your fish. A pond that is shallow can allow animals and birds to wade into the midst of your fish and feed at will. Consider placing the pond under a shady, deciduous tree with branches that are sufficiently high enough that mammals cannot use them to fish your pond and yet keep the pond invisible to high flying birds that would otherwise prey upon your fish. Some people add a net to their kit of koi supplies to cover their pond and protect it from predators, as well as keep it clear of debris such as falling leaves.
There are some koi supplies which should be kept on hand even though they are not used frequently. A dechlorinator should be used when filling the pond and when replenishing the water as it evaporates, if town water is used. This is essential for eliminating the harmful chemicals. The pH and the nitrate levels should be carefully check on a weekly basis, by test kits which can be purchased at local pet shops. Baking soda or pond salt should also be kept handy. Either can be added to the pond water, when tests show the chemical levels are incorrect.
Consider the types of koi supplies that you might need when setting up your outdoor koi pond and remember that although Koi take very little effort on the part of their owners, they are mesmerizing and beautiful and they are well worth the effort put into it.
Great advice you’ve offered on koi ponds. Depending on the type of supplies and equipment one buys, it can be expensive but as you mentioned it’s all worth it in the end. I know I love my koi ponds and my children do as well. My kids love feeding the koi everyday and they get a kick out of it when they feed out of their hand and nibble their finger. Koi fish ponds are exciting for the whole family and makes a great addition to any backyard landscape.
Great blog! Keep up the great writings!
Great information. I really enjoyed this article.