Another new pond.. another confused owner.

[Jlok619]

Hi everyone, I'm Julio, and I just put in a new pond in my backyard about a month ago. Initially I did not intend in having fish and just more of a plain water feature. Main reason was because I live in Phoenix, and I didn't even know Koi could survive here.

As far as set-up and supplies.. I dug a 9' X 6' hole that is 3 1/2' at the deepest (In the center) and 1 1/2' all around. Ended up being roughly 450 gallons when filled. Used a Firestone 20' X 15' liner, with a bed of non-woven textile fabric and a blue tarp. I also added some more non-woven fabric over the liner in the spots where the big slabs of flagstone would be resting. River stones were added all around and inside the pond, I'm still making trips every weekend to the dry river bed by my house to fill it in. There's a 1,200 gallon bio-filter with a UV light filtering the water and a 1,600 gallon pump feeding it. A waterfall with a small collecting pool underneath, cycles the clean water back into the pond and aerates the water.

I finished the pond about the middle of April, and filled it up with water. Only thing I treated the water for at that time was a de-chlorinator. This is when I first started thinking of actually adding fish, as I researched a bit more and found out that a fish pond was feasible in Arizona. Before adding anything living, I stopped by an aquarium in downtown where they have quite a bit of pond stuff. They advised me to first cycle the pond with some bacteria and testing the water before adding any fish. I bought some PondKeeper Rapid Cycle from them and added it in about 4 days ago.

The same day I also visited a business I found online that is literally 2 miles from my home and sells pond plants and fish out of her house. She's been pond-keeping for almost 60 years, and has one of the most amazing backyards I've seen. She advised me to as soon as possible add some fish and plants from her garden, as these would be loaded with the bacteria my pond needs. I got a few water lettuce, hyacinths, a water lilly, and 2 lil Butterfly Koi about 4" long. She gave me everything including the fish for $80. The Aquarium I visited before sells the same Koi for $145 a pop. -_-

As soon as I added the plants and fish.. the water got pretty green and algae started popping up on all the submerged rocks. It does not have a foul smell, or an alarming amount of algae, so I'm hoping this is all normal and just part of the bacteria and other organisms settling in. I would love some advice from the other pros on here.. I'm new to ponds, but I always try to do things as diligently as possible and don't wanna harm any plants or animals in the process of learning.

I tried feeding the Koi today, but they are still super scared, and dive down to the bottom of the pond as soon as they see me.. It's been 4 days, I know they can probably go a while before needing to feed, but just wondering how long is normal. The breeder told me to give them gold fish flakes until they get a lil bigger. I netted out all the flakes after about 2 minutes of them floating there with the fish not eating them.

[richtoybox]

I am going to get you started in the right direction hopefully. The first thing to know is that the water needs to be tested frequently, at least until you have completed the cycle, where ammonia is zero and nitrites are zero. To do that I recommend the use of the API FRESHWATER MASTER TEST KIT and the use of the API KH test kit. A good high, above 90ppm (5 drops), on the Kh test is required to have a stable pH. With that KH your pH should be around 8.3, so use the high range pH test from the master test kit, not the wide range pH test. It requires fish to produce the ammonia that will be converted by bacteria first to nitrites and then to nitrates. Ammonia and nitrite should be zero, but with each addition of fish or increase in feed will increase the amount of ammonia produced and then it is up to the filter bacteria to perform the conversions and eventually reach a stable cycled pond. This will typically take 6 to 8 weeks, and during this cycling, green water algae will be consuming large portions of the ammonia and nitrite, and once the pond has cycled, the pond will clear as if by magic.

The other thing that koi keepers have found is that rock in the pond are not beneficial and actually detrimental to being able to keep the pond clean as debris and detritis will hide in the rocks and deteriorate producing noxious poisonous hydrogen sulfide. Carpet algae will cover the liner, and it will cover the rocks, so the bottom will look similar with or without rocks, and the volume of the rocks is volume that could be additional water.

[Jlok619]

Sweet, much appreciated. I'm actually getting the API freshwater kit delivered tomorrow from Amazon, and i'll look into the KH one as well. I'll keep testing the water and making sure that ammonia and other levels are where they should be. I also appreciate the info on the rocks, I don't have most of the inside covered, and I won't add any more. Might also remove some of the larger ones as it makes sense they are taking up room for water. Thanks!

[aquaholic]

The aquarium store gave you the best advice and with all their overheads, rent, wages and warranties plus ongoing support, their prices are extremely reasonable. Plus they are nearby and carry most of the emergency urgent items you may need one day.

I suspect goldfish would be a much better fit for what your after.

Do a search on here and online elsewhere for what most new ponds go through. Hopefully you are/will enjoy your new hobby!

[Jlok619]

Got good news! I received the API Freshwater test kit and the levels are looking great! The water has also cleared up almost instantly after the last dose of PondKeeper Rapid Cycle. I ordered the KH test kit and it should be here tomorrow. At least I'm happy to see Amonia, Nitrite and Nitrate at the appropriate level. PH was pretty high, the result was at least 8.8 since that's where the test tops out. The Koi breeder told me PH shouldnt be as big a deal as the others, but I'd still like to keep it in check without chemicals.. any advice? I've seen the PH Buffer by The Pond Guy, but not sure if that is even a good idea.

[Jlok619]

Are my pictures getting uploaded sideways because of the file size? Lol it's driving me nuts.

[richtoybox]

With KH of 5 or 6 drops the pH will be near 8.3, and stable morning to evening which is much more important than some arbitrary pH that is lower than that.

[Noahsnana]

Are my pictures getting uploaded sideways because of the file size? Lol it's driving me nuts.

Yes if you resize they will likely post correctly
Here is a thread about posting photos...
https://www.koiphen.com/forums/showt...tures-Tutorial

[Jlok619]

Thanks for all the friendly advice! I'll keep updating periodically.

[Jlok619]

Finally got the KH test kit and tested today. Took a total of 10 drops to get the test water yellow. According to the chart, that is about 179 PPM and acceptable for most tropical fish and goldfish. Water looks amazingly clear, fish look happy and healthy although they still don't want to eat flakes. I am buying a feeding ring and some better quality koi food in mini pellets, since these koi are only about 3-4 inches long.

[Jlok619]

I promise I'm going to figure out this photo posting issue. Even when i preview the post, they look good and right side up. Until I post the reply, then they go sideways.

[richtoybox]

That KH should make your pH very stable and stable is good for the filter bacteria and the fish.

[Jlok619]

Also added another bog plant and will replant the cat tail into a latger and taller pot to help it against the wind.