koiguyoz
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Dec 7, 2004, 3:55 PM
Post #2 of 5
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Removing the filter was an obvious contributor to the death of the fish and the water turning black.
Regardless of temperature (unless we're talking about a completely frozen pond), the removal of the filter must have meant that the water properties were no longer suitable to sustain the fish's life.
The filter performs a few functions, including the capture of debris and the chemical processing of the water through biological means, turning the evil ammonia and nitrite into the less toxic nitrate. The pump you were left with only accomplished oxygenation.
Return the filter as soon as possible, but now since you have removed it, the biological bugs in inside are likely dead, and will be just as toxic. Completely clean the old filter, and restart it in the pond.
The lifeless koi
Several theories:
*They are hibernating / saving energy for the winter.
*They are feeling ill.
The water test kit
I seriously recommend getting your hands on the nitrite/nitrate test kit, ammonia test kit, and PH test kit. Most aquarium stores should have it. The package should come along with instructions and recommendations on what to do if the readings are bad (I suspect they are). Come back and post the readings for suggestions on what next to do.
PH up
Obtain sodium bicarbonate in the cake section of the supermarket to raise the PH level, if it dips into the acid side of the scale.
Debris
The buildup of debris should really be netted out with a net, or removed through the use of a solids handling submersible pump like the Hozelock Titan.
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