Home  

  Main Index MAIN
INDEX 		Search Posts SEARCH
POSTS 		Who's Online WHO'S
ONLINE 		Log in LOG
IN

Home: KOI Talk: Pond Construction & Water Filtering System:
Optimum Water Temperature For Koi

 





 


kelvinbay
Koi Lover

Nov 20, 2008, 3:16 PM

Post #1 of 12 (544 views)
Shortcut
Optimum Water Temperature For Koi Can't Post
Hi, I have been always wondering what would be a optimum water temperature to maintian in a koi pond to ensure good health and skin quality for koi. Notice I use the term optimum and not ideal because I presume the ideal temperature would be between 23-25 degree (please correct if I am wrong) but in our tropical weather, it's almost impossible to get to that range without a chiller.

In my case, due to the open nature of my pond and limitation on the overall electric current to my house, I am struggling to keep the temperature below 26 deg even with the chiller running 24hr. By the way, my pond is approx 50 ton and my compressor is a mere 2HP; the pond is exposed to sunlight almost 6-8 hr a day. Although I do have shelter, I have chosen clear polycarbonate instead of tinted one (mistake !).

I would therefore like to seek all the cifu's opinion as to what is a good temperature to maintain so as to keep my koi heathly & happy but at the same time cut down the running time of my chiller. Also, would appreciate if anyone can offer some good tips to keep the temperature down. Thanks in advance.


Kelvin


PH8
Koi Lover


Nov 21, 2008, 11:41 AM

Post #2 of 12 (510 views)
Shortcut
Re: [kelvinbay] Optimum Water Temperature For Koi [In reply to] Can't Post
Hi Kelvin,

I have no experience with chillers, but I think sifu David tries to mimic the 4 seasons but adjusting the temperature over the course of the year. Since you're struggling to attain temperatures below 26 degrees, it may not be possible to make such adjustments. 6-8 hours of sunlight is just about totally unshaded! At the same time, it is not desirable to totally eliminate sunlight. Morning sunlight (maybe 2-3 hours) is supposed to be best for the koi. Would you consider replacing your clear polycarbonate roof with either a (heavily) tinted one or maybe even a shade sail (which is what I use)? You may find that you can recoup some of the cost from lower temperatures achieved and therefore less hours needed per day for the chiller. Btw, what is your water temperature at night?


Cheers,
Paul


kelvinbay
Koi Lover

Nov 21, 2008, 3:36 PM

Post #3 of 12 (491 views)
Shortcut
Re: [PH8] Optimum Water Temperature For Koi [In reply to] Can't Post
Hi Paul,

thanks for your advice. I am in the process of covering my pond with black nettings; DIY of course (under the such economic conditions, hv to tighten the string).

I currently set 26.5 deg as the cut off point. For the past 2-3 weeks, due to the cool and rainy climate, the pond was able to hit 26.5 deg almost every nite. The temperature will climb during the day to between 27-27.5 deg depending on how hot the weather is. Btw, the chiller will kick in at 26.8 deg.

Do you monitor your pond temperature ? Hope you don't mind if I ask what's the ave temperature ? And in your opinion, is the 26 - 28 deg range ok for the koi to develop and maintain their skin quality ?

Reallyappreciate your assistance.

Kelvin


PH8
Koi Lover


Nov 21, 2008, 4:36 PM

Post #4 of 12 (486 views)
Shortcut
Re: [kelvinbay] Optimum Water Temperature For Koi [In reply to] Can't Post
Hi Kelvin,

Do you have trees around your pond? If you do, leaves may get caught/stuck in your black netting? Over time, this could be very dirty as well as having the possibility of the weight accumulating on the netting..

My pond temperature used to be 30.5 degrees before shading! I put up a shade sail 6 months ago but haven't had the chance to measure the temperature, although I would expect it to be roughly 28-29 degrees. I know it definitely isn't the optimum temperature for koi, but until finances are better, there's nothing much more I can do about it now. Other than the water temperature, I suspect that direct midday sunlight on the koi's skin tends to deteriorate the skin quality, so at least I have more or less elimininated this effect.

No, I don't think 26-28 is the ideal temperature range for skin quality. It may be more like 20-24 degrees, I think, but I'm no expert. But that is only one aspect. If faster growth rate is important to you, then higher temperatures could be better at achieving that purpose. Personally I see little point growing a koi super fast when its skin is deteriorating at the same time. Then we end up with big ugly koi!ShockedSly

Cheers,
Paul


dannysao
Koi Lover

Nov 24, 2008, 4:56 PM

Post #5 of 12 (436 views)
Shortcut
Re: [PH8] Optimum Water Temperature For Koi [In reply to] Can't Post
Paul
How much you spent on the sail shade? which vendor and contractor did that, I am planning to do it as well, still doing the sourcing at this stage..if you can share would be good.

dannysao


etano
Koi Lover

Nov 24, 2008, 5:23 PM

Post #6 of 12 (427 views)
Shortcut
Re: [dannysao] Optimum Water Temperature For Koi [In reply to] Can't Post
My DIY pond shade is made of lorry canvas and they come in many colors. I have a white one measuring about 10ft X 10ft and it costs about RM50. You can have done in any shape and size. I told them to make it in such a way that I can insert a steel pipe at both ends and I can hang them above my pond. It has been there for over 6 months now, so far so good.


PH8
Koi Lover


Nov 25, 2008, 9:02 AM

Post #7 of 12 (405 views)
Shortcut
Re: [dannysao] Optimum Water Temperature For Koi [In reply to] Can't Post
Hi Danny,

The company that did my shade sail was Suncool (tel 03-78737016 or 016-2101229 for Peter). You can check them out on the internet. They were not cheap at all, cost me about RM6,000 all in. Etano's option sounds much cheaper!! My shade sail is about 400 sq ft and is waterproof material. Other than shading the pond to help lower water temperatures, I also wanted to minimise the rain water going into the pond (rain water is quite acidic and may cause Ph to come down).

Cheers,
Paul


dannysao
Koi Lover

Nov 25, 2008, 10:15 AM

Post #8 of 12 (386 views)
Shortcut
Re: [PH8] Optimum Water Temperature For Koi [In reply to] Can't Post
Hi
With 6k, I think should go for pergola instead of sun sail..i thot it is cheap, lie 1 to 2k..let me call up and check..thanks anyway.

dannysao


Ky^BugZz
Koi Lover


Nov 25, 2008, 10:49 AM

Post #9 of 12 (376 views)
Shortcut
Re: [PH8] Optimum Water Temperature For Koi [In reply to] Can't Post
Hi Paul,

wow.. 6k.. FYI I am also looking for such shades for my pond as it look so nice on your pond.. was looking around for quotation and so far I was quote B$50/sqft and for my pond its gonna cost me B$6k.. for 120 sq ft.. Pirate so I need to source it tru KL if its cost efective.. Cool

Cheers,
Khairul


PH8
Koi Lover


Nov 25, 2008, 11:11 AM

Post #10 of 12 (372 views)
Shortcut
Re: [dannysao] Optimum Water Temperature For Koi [In reply to] Can't Post
Hi Danny,Smile

I have a pergola over the filter area where I sit, but it doesn't extend over the pond itself. If I were to build a pergola over the pond, it'd have to be made of everlasting chengal wood. I have a balao (sp) fence and certain parts are rotting (after 4-6 years) from prolonged exposure to the weather. You wouldn't want the pergola to rot and fall into the pond one day! Because of the size of my pond, the structure would have to be quite high at the top, and the whole thing will look very heavy, bulky and ugly. Also, I think a chegal pergola over my pond would have cost at least 3-4x what I paid for the shade sail. Chengal is expensive!! Well, that was why I chose the shade sail alternative. For smaller ponds, maybe a pergola would be a more feasible alternative.


Cheers,
Paul


kemeer
Member


Nov 25, 2008, 11:18 AM

Post #11 of 12 (369 views)
Shortcut
Re: [PH8] Optimum Water Temperature For Koi [In reply to] Can't Post
SmileHi Paul,

Yea, i think its more to each individual on how they want their koi to grow. But, personally like your kind self also, i'd rather let my kois take its time to grow to its optimum size. Rather then pumping them up to grow big quicker and ending up w/ hi that are stretched and thin.Unsure Certainly not good for the overall appearance of the koi.CrazyPirate Heard stories also that the quicker the koi grow and quicker it goes downhill as well.Pirate Facts? Myth?CrazyCrazy Anybody?


PH8
Koi Lover


Nov 25, 2008, 11:29 AM

Post #12 of 12 (362 views)
Shortcut
Re: [kemeer] Optimum Water Temperature For Koi [In reply to] Can't Post
Hi Kemeer,

Ah yes, I've heard that too, and not only go downhill earlier but also die younger. I think though that the evidence is anecdotal at best, so far. I'm one of those who think that everything in life should be done in moderation.SlySly

Cheers,
Paul

 
 
 



Search for (options) Back to Koi.com.my Main Page

  Disclaimer  Privacy Statement     
Copyright 2001~ 2002 Hileytech Sdn Bhd , All Rights Reserved.  
No part of the forum postings can be copied without prior permission from Hileytech Sdn Bhd and the Author of the Posting.
For comments and Suggestion, Please contact the Webmaster at koi@hileytech.com