Keeping Koi Water Healthy

Keeping the water clean is a priority in maintaining a healthy koi garden pond. Healthy koi is a result of good water maintenance so you want to be sure to take all the necessary steps ton insure your Koi water is the best it can be, after all, the water is your Koi’s home and their health and well being depends on it’s cleanliness.

Unfortunately, with pond water, you can’t just look at it and assume it is healthy if it is clear. There are contaminants that may be present in the pond water that you can’t see so testing the water for impurities and quality is the only way to insure a clean environment for your Koi.

Koi water testing kits are available in stores. There are certain chemicals that must be kept away from the pond. Testing the water for the presence of these substances is necessary to ensure that the pond is more than just clean and clear but free from harmful chemicals. Here are some of the harmful chemicals that might endanger your fish.

Chlorine

Chlorine is used for water treatment and is present in many water sources. Avoid contamination of the water by checking the chlorine content of the water before filling the pond. Water that has settled for at least 24 hours is considered safe from chlorine.

Ammonia

Ammonia is naturally present and is a byproduct of fish defacation as well as the decomposition of extxra fish food. New ponds have a higher rate of producing ammonia because of the lack of good bacteria that changes the ammonia into a less harmful substance.

Other substances

The pond should be kept free from other harmful substance such as pesticides, hard metals, organic compounds and other substances that re harmful to the fish.

Regularly checking levels of contamination of koi water will save the koi from danger. You also want to check the PH to be sure it is a safe level. Checking weekly is recommended, then if you find a problem it can easily be corrected before it gets out of hand.