Koi Supplies – Getting the Essentials Right

Koi fish are some of the most ornamental and beautiful fish in the world. If you’re starting out with your first Koi pond you’re in for a great treat. But understand that it will take some basic understanding of fish, outdoor ponds and the right supplies. They aren’t maintenance free but it’s worth every effort.

If you already have a pond, or if you’re just starting to plan for a new pond, think about including a fountain, waterfall or other water feature that will circulate the water. This movement will not only add to the setting but will insure that the pond is aerated to supply fresh oxygen to the pond. This is important for the health of your fish.

You will also need a filtration system in the pond that is designed to maintain the quality of the water. The filter is used to remove harmful pollutants from the water and help keep your fish healthy. In larger ponds the only way to keep the water moving through the filter is with the installation of a pump. Even though you may have a fountain or a waterfall in your pond, they won’t be enough to let the filter work properly.

There are other supplies that you will need but not use on daily basis. First, plan on checking the chemical level of the pond water on a weekly basis. There are home testing kits that can be purchased at a local pet store that will do the job. You need to manage the pH and nitrate level of the water for the health of your fish. Pond salt and baking soda should be kept on hand to be added to the water when the test show the chemical balance of the water is off. When you add fresh water to the pond from a tap or garden hose, you will need a dechlorinator to add to the water to eliminate harmful chemicals that are found in most tap water.

One of the main reasons Koi are so popular is the brilliant colors that they come in. But this is also a problem when it comes to protecting them from natural predators. Depending on the part of the country you live in these can range from herons, kingfishers, foxes, cats, raccoons, badgers and a host of others. One form of protection is keeping the pond deep enough to keep unwanted visitors from wading in. You can also create overhangs high enough to keep predators from reaching the water. Some pond owners prefer to cove the whole pond with a net insuring the safety of the fish and to keep leaves and other debris from getting in the water. This makes for easy clean up.

Certainly food is a key Koi supply. Koi eat a variety of natural foods but you’ll want to keep a supply of pellet food on hand to insure their proper diet.

This may seem like a lot of trouble at first. If done properly it will be well worth the effort and you’ll enjoy your Koi pond for years to come.