-
Float the bags to
slowly bring the temperature of the bagged water to the temperature of
your pond. Approx. 30 minutes.
-
It is important to introduce new fish to your pond's water slowly. Open
the shipping bag and add a small amount of pond water to it. Repeat this
step multiple times over a 30 minute period.
-
Do not add the bag of shipping water mixed with pond water to your pond,
just scoop out the fish with a net and release them in their new home.
Do not feed for 24
hours.
Water Quality!
Make sure your filtration is
adequate for your size pond. Ponds with
fish require more filtration than those without fish.
—Test Your Water—
pH Target Level: 6.8-7.4
pH is the measure of acidity or alkalinity of
water. A pH reading of 7.0 is neutral,
a pH higher than 7.0 is alkaline, and a pH below 7.0 is acidic. A healthy pond depends on proper pH
balance. Many factors can significantly
alter pond water pH, creating an unhealthy environment for pond life. Acid rain, minerals leaching from soil or
rain run-off, decomposing plants and animal waste can all contribute to
unstable pH levels in the pond.
Ammonia Target Level: 0 PPM
Ammonia is a toxic waste excreted into the pond by
fish, birds and other pond life. The
natural process that controls ammonia in the pond is called the biological
filter. The biological filter is
comprised of nitrifying bacteria that use ammonia as a food source. Overstocking the pond with fish, uneaten
fish food and decomposing vegetation can cause excessive ammonia. Ammonia is highly toxic to all pond life.
Nitrite Target Level: 0 PPM
Fish, frogs, birds and other pond animals release solid
waste into the pond water. This waste
is turned into toxic ammonia. Nitrifying bacteria in the pond turns ammonia into
nitrite (also toxic). Nitrite is then converted to
nontoxic nitrate, which is used by plants and algae nutrients. Nitrite is highly
toxic to pond fish.
Salt Level Target Level with Plants
0.1%
Target Level without Plants 0.3%
Pond fish actively maintain a natural balance of
electrolytes in their body fluids that are absorbed by the fish’s gills. These
electrolytes are essential for the uptake of oxygen and release of carbon dioxide
and ammonium across the gill
cell membranes. During periods of
disease and stress, healthy gill function is disturbed. The addition of pond
salt to the pond reduces the risk of osmotic shock by maintaining the proper
electrolyte level
in the pond water.
We hope you find these tips useful. If you have any other questions about
the care of your new koi or goldfish, feel free to contact
Ed.

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