Koi Pond Supply Guide

Archive for the ‘How To’ Category

In order to measure the temperature in your pond during the spring, autumn and winter, you will need a pond thermometer.

The temperature of the water will help you to determine when to feed the fish wheat germ and when not to feed the fish at all.

There are two main types of thermometers that are available, the floating and the submersible thermometers. Both types of thermometers are very durable and convenient.

A thermometer is essential for keeping the pond at the proper temperature. If you keep fish and plants in your pond, it is especially important to keep your pond at the right temperature.

If is up to you which kind of thermometer that you choose, but you may obtain a more accurate measure of the temperature by using the submerged thermometer since it is completely inside of the water instead of floating atop where the water may be slightly different due to the exposure to the air.

An ultra violet clarifier is an electrical unit through which water is pumped before is enters the biological filter.

Not quite sure what an ultra violet clarifier is? Water is pumped through this electrical unit prior to entering the ponds biological filter. Using this device helps to reduce the amount of harmful bacteria in the pond water and eliminates green water.

As the water is pumped through the unit it is exposed to high levels of UV light. This eliminates the problem with green algae by clumping all the single cell algae together so that it can be easily removed by the biological filter.

It is important to remember that while the ultra violet clarifier is instrumental in removing algae, it must always be used in conjunction with a biological filter as this is what actually breaks down and removes the algae from the water. Used together these two devices will give you a complete water filtration system. You want to be sure that you use both filters to get clean water, and not be fooled into thinking that water is healthy just because it is clear.

The coagulated algae is bound to produce extra toxins into the water, so you should check the level of ammonia, nitrite and other toxin a few weeks after installing your ultra violet clarifier. It is important to conduct these tests even if the water is running clear.

Murky water could be the results of water from the bottom of the pond being stirred up by ghost carp and koi as well as other large fish. You don’t want to confuse this type of murky water with water that is contaminated with algae.

Choosing the Right UV Clarifier
The most important thing to know when picking out a UV clarifier is the volume of your pond. There is a table that will show you the correct UV clarifier to purchase for your ponds volume. The number listed on the table is the UV clarifier’s maximum capacity, so it is always best to purchase a unit with extra capacity when in doubt.