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Help! Koi lying on its side!

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Khoobg
Webmaster

Sep 8, 2001, 12:28 AM

Post #26 of 59 (4359 views)
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Specially for Johnson Lee

johnson lee
Koi Kichi

Sep 8, 2001, 1:09 AM

Post #27 of 59 (4359 views)
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Hi Khoo/Josh/dttk and the rest

Thank you for the birthday greetings, I really appreciate your kind thoughts and words. And Khoo, you are not only a great webmaster, your artistic talent is commendable as well! Smile

Dr. Tan, your website is superb and I would like to visit your pond one day to appreciate the beautiful jewels with my own eyes.

And Josh, many thanks to you for all the advice rendered. Will be trying my best to reduce the nitrites to a more acceptable level ASAP.

Apart from changing water regularly, is there any other way I can reduce the nitrites in my pond? Since this is still a relatively new pond, my filter will not be able to perform the task of breaking down the nitrites so soon. Any suggestions?

Another thing, my filter consists of 5 chambers. The 1st one acts as a settlement chamber and I put in those large black brushes to prevent solids and larger debris from passing through.

The 2nd chamber has blue and white matting placed vertically to trap smaller debris and dirt. For the 3rd chamber, I put in the Japanese green matting in a vertical position (recently changed from horizontal to vertical after reading about this @ MKC Forum).

The 4th chamber consists of 2 bags of bio-rings, 2 bags of activated carbon and 3 bags of coral chips.

The 5th chamber is presently empty.

Have I done my filter properly or do I need to make alterations? Pls. advise. Filter size is 6'(L) x 3' (W) x 3' 6" (D)

I will be doing the trickle tower this weekend (if time permits) and also the DIY venturi. Incidentally, I managed to buy the bio-balls for about 6.6 sen per ball (if purchasing more than 300) at Marine Fresh located in Damansara Uptown. There's where I bought all my water test kit at very reasonable prices too.

Cheers!

Regards
Johnson

(This post was edited by jtklee on Jul 9, 2001, 2:00 PM)

Mark
Koi Kichi

Sep 8, 2001, 3:43 AM

Post #28 of 59 (4359 views)
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Want to be sure of what are troubling your fish, my advise is to do a scrap and then investigate it under a scope.

johnson lee
Koi Kichi

Sep 8, 2001, 4:10 AM

Post #29 of 59 (4359 views)
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Hi Mark

Thanks for the advice but doing a scrape and putting it under the microscope is not my cup of tea yet!

Firstly, I do not have the m'scope and even if I do, I would not be able to diagnose the problem anyhow!

Unless, you would like to volunteer to assist if I can get the scrape done and post a pic. to you together with description. Smile

Thanks anyway. I guess I have not "graduated" to that level yet!

Cheers!

Johnson

(This post was edited by jtklee on Jul 9, 2001, 2:00 PM)

Mark
Koi Kichi

Sep 8, 2001, 6:40 AM

Post #30 of 59 (4359 views)
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Oops! I almost forgot my wishes to you....
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOHNSON!!!!!

I am available most of the time in this forum. Juz let me know how I can help.

rdgs.

(This post was edited by Mark Richman on Jul 9, 2001, 2:00 PM)

johnson lee
Koi Kichi

Sep 8, 2001, 7:12 AM

Post #31 of 59 (4359 views)
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Hi Mark

Thanks for the birthday greetings! Smile

As I've said and I'll say it again, this site not only provides great advice but its members are also absolutely friendly and warm.

Someone told me that koi keepers are naturally friendly people. Reason being they care and love their kois so much and seeing the beautiful jewels everyday puts them in a better mood and positive disposition! Smile

So guys, pls. continue to keep up the great work done here and three cheers to the Malaysia KOI Club! Hip! Hip! Hooray!! (3x)

Cheers!

Johnson

johnson lee
Koi Kichi

Sep 8, 2001, 7:21 AM

Post #32 of 59 (4359 views)
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Hello one and all

I went to the UCP Aquafarm during lunch and saw them using air diffusers in their ponds. Spoke to the worker and he told me that this device would create more oxygen.

He said he can make a 1 ft long air-diffuser for RM50 but I will have to get the air pump elsewhere. Thinking of introducing two of these in my pond, one at each end.

Do you think this is a good idea? I can see the downside ie. when they are in operation, one cannot see the kois because of the bubbles! Any comments?

Regards

Johnson

Joshua Lee
Koi Lover

Sep 8, 2001, 9:09 AM

Post #33 of 59 (4359 views)
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Hi Johnson

Looks like you got those bio-balls for song at 6.6 sen! Your bio-filter looks like it is quite in order although some would advise replacing the bio-rings with fibre mats. Fibre mats work better than bio rings or bioballs when submerged. When suspended as in a trickle filter they do a good job. Hope you get your trickles up soon.

I have seen those air diffusers at UCP and you can hardly make out the fish under those bubbles. I used to have a shower fountain in the middle of my pond but later took out the head so it just spouts gently so that I can still enjoy the view better.

I can guess your birthday wish has something to do with Koi and I wish YOUR wish would come true.

Best wishes
[biggrin]

Josh

Mark
Koi Kichi

Sep 8, 2001, 11:11 PM

Post #34 of 59 (4359 views)
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Seems that my reply posted yesterday didn't appear.

Either post or the send the picture to me and I will see how I can help.

regards.

Khoobg
Webmaster

Sep 9, 2001, 12:22 AM

Post #35 of 59 (4359 views)
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Hi Johnson,

A lot of bubble mean a lot of oxygen for your koi. If two is a lot, install at least one and power with Hi-Blow. At times when you wish to enjoy your koi in calm water, just switch off the air pump for a while.

johnson lee
Koi Kichi

Sep 11, 2001, 7:19 AM

Post #36 of 59 (4359 views)
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Hello everyone

Had a very busy weekend and thus I had no time to try making the TT!

However, I managed to make a venturi all on my own and the most important thing is it works! Smile

Now, I have three aeration points running simultaneously ie. i. direct outlet from filter splashing into pond ( and yes, Khoo you were right, before I installed the other 2 pumps, the fishes always congregate around this part of the pond) ii. bought an aeration pump and installed at other bottom end of the pond and adding a long PVC pipe with holes drilled to create more aeration.
iii. made DIY venturi and placed in the middle of pond just below surface level to create lots of bubbles. For the venturi, I did not buy a new pump, instead I remove the fountain and use its pump!

At least for now, I need not worry about insufficient DO!

However, I am still rather worried about the high nitrite readings! I drained off about 20% of water on Thursday night and then did a check on Friday morning.

Results : pH - 7.5 Smile

ammonia - 0 Smile

nitrite - 0.8 ppm Frown

nitrate - 0 - 12.5 ppm Smile

Did the test again on Sunday morning, and the results remained the same. In fact, I thought the nitrite has even crept up to 0.8 - 1.6 ppm!! What is wrong? The water change does not seem to be helping! The fishes seemed fine at the present moment but I know in the medium to long term, this is fatal to them.

Perhaps the TT will help in reducing nitrites as well! I better hurry and make one ASAP!

Thanks Josh for wishing that my wish will come true!

Cheers!

Johnson

Khoobg
Webmaster

Sep 11, 2001, 9:33 AM

Post #37 of 59 (4359 views)
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Hi Johnson,

Glad that you have taken action to add more oxygen to your water and if your koi stop from dying, then clearly the lack of oxygen is the culprit the causing the death of your koi Smile

Also bear in mind the your bio filter also need a lot of oxygen supplies. If you have installed a Hi-Blow, divert some of the air to your filter as well.

Khoobg
Webmaster

Sep 11, 2001, 9:39 AM

Post #38 of 59 (4359 views)
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Hi Johnson,

Missed one of your post.

The purpose of green synthetic matting is for the bacteria to colonize and it should not be obstructive to water flow. It is important that you have a good prefilter to block all solid waste that may clog the bio filter. As long as your bio filter is not too deep (maximum three feet) and is well aerated, you filter should be doing fine.

Joshua Lee
Koi Lover

Sep 11, 2001, 11:21 PM

Post #39 of 59 (4359 views)
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Hi Johnson

Looks like you have terminated Killer No.1 and No. 3. Just a few tips I picked up to combat killer no.2 which is NiTRiTeS...yuks.. dreaded arch enemy of koi everywhere.

1. Salting the pond with reduce the effects of nitrite poisoning. I am not sure to what extent. But 0.3 % is entirely safe for koi.

2. Adding bio-zyme to jump start the bio-filter while the box gets it act together to full scale production of nitrite eating bacteria.

Can't think of any other way, apart from getting the good old invincible, undefeatable wet and dry trickle filter up and running..

All the best. Down with Nitrites. Long live the Koi!

Merdeka

Smile

Josh

johnson lee
Koi Kichi

Sep 12, 2001, 12:35 AM

Post #40 of 59 (4359 views)
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Good morning Khoo/Josh and the rest

I have been thinking real hard about the TT (not at the expense of my work, I hope!) and how and where it should be installed.

I will be getting a large plastic container with perhaps a diameter of at least 12". I will purchase 4 plastic trays and drill small holes in the first 3 trays. I will then stack them up and place in the container. Of course, I will fill trays 2 & 3 with bio-balls. I will drill one hole at the side of tray 4 and fix a 2cm diameter pipe which will channel the water back into the pond. I need to get another pump and place it in the last filter chamber and divert some water into the TT. I suppose for this purpose, a small pump would do. But I may purchase a slightly bigger pump and fix 2 plastic tubes from the outlet. One to go to TT and the other tube will aerate the bio-filter in Chamber 4. I will place the TT beside the last filter chamber and divert water into pond.

What do you think, is this set-up OK?

Anyway, a friend of mine recently gave me about 30-40 little kois (betw. 4-6 cm) of mixed Japanese/Taiwanese breed. I have put them in the pond after quarantine and they seemed to be doing great! In just over a week, they have doubled their size despite me not feeding the kois anything. I did not feed any of the kois in the preceding 2 weeks because of the 'sick' kois. Now that their health have improved, I am beginning to feed them again.

I will be doing another 20% water change this evening to improve the condition of the water and will test the water again. I find that despite being under almost 85% shade, the pond water is slowly turning greenish.

Also, because of the high salt content, some of my aquatic plants are dying. So I have removed the plants temporarily to restore their health as well.

Any comments on the greenish water?

Regards
Johnson

Khoobg
Webmaster

Sep 12, 2001, 3:43 AM

Post #41 of 59 (4359 views)
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Johnson,

My pond is 100% exposed to sunlight and yet the water is clear. In my case, the trickle filter is doing excellent job. Hence, I would suggest that you proceed with the installation of Trickle Tower ASAP to control your nitrate content in the future.

As long as pond water still register nitrite reading, it is an indication that your filter is still not at its best and not fully colonized. Hence, the water will not be clear somehow.

As far as PP Bombing (if you wish to try at later stage when the needs arise) as mentioned by Josh in the earlier post, my advice to you is not to try such PP treatment unless you are very sure that the aeration in your pond is sufficient.

johnson lee
Koi Kichi

Sep 12, 2001, 5:22 AM

Post #42 of 59 (4359 views)
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Hi Khoo

Thanks. I will be proceeding to set up the Trickle Tower by this weekend and hope to relay to you the good news that nitrites and nitrates are barely detectable.

How does beneficial bacteria (BB) comes about? From what I understand, BB will grow on the mats once there are fishes in the pond and the aerobic process begins at the same time the nitrogen cycle commences and if there is sufficient aeration, it hastens the colonising process. Is that right?

Regards
Johnson Lee

TonyG
Koi Lover

Sep 12, 2001, 7:48 AM

Post #43 of 59 (4359 views)
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Hi Johnson

Glad to hear that you will be building a TT this weekend, right on... I'm sure you will find it working beautifully for your nitrites. By the way, in my opinion, biohome is much more effective that bio-ball, try using biohome instead of bio-ball although the $$$ is a little steep.

Happy building. Do post a picture of your TT once it completed.

Tony

Joshua Lee
Koi Lover

Sep 12, 2001, 8:31 AM

Post #44 of 59 (4359 views)
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Hi Johnson,

Are your friends from this earth?

I guess you should be passing the chocolates/cigars for the 40 new koi. Talk about population explosion! And I thought one new baby in the family was hard to cope! Hope you'll have lots of fun with the additions to the family.

Now, if only my friends were that nice..

By the way, the beneficial bacteria are everywhere. They just need plenty of oxygen, lots of surface area and ammonia/nitrites to do their stuff and multiply. They are the natural DBKL of the water world (and much more efficient I should say...)

(This post was edited by Joshua Lee on Nov 9, 2001, 3:00 PM)

johnson lee
Koi Kichi

Sep 14, 2001, 1:32 AM

Post #45 of 59 (4359 views)
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Hi to one and all

I did not post any messages yesterday out of respect for the victims of the terrorist attacks in USA.

However, I am pleased to inform that after a water test this morning, the readings came out superbly!

pH - 8.0 Smile

Ammonia - 0 Smile

Nitrites - 0 Smile

Nitrates - 0 Smile

I want to tell everyone that the Trickle Tower is indeed a miracle discovery! I have just installed it on Sunday and within 3-4 days, I have already seen fantastic results. Of course, I did add the Super Bacteria into the filter to aid in the growth of beneficial bacteria. Call it a double edged sword if you like, but I think being a new pond (less than 3 months), installing the TT and adding in Super Bacteria expedited the process of nitrite/nitrates removal from the pond.

I did a 20% water change last night in view of the slightly greenish water and also to dilute some of the salt content before testing the water this morning.

I must recommend to all koi keepers to immediately install a TT if you want to eliminate those dreaded stuff from your water. I believe that once the colony of BB has matured, my greenish water will also clear up.

However, I will not be complacent and take things for granted. I will still be checking my water parameters on a regular basis and watch out for any health problems that may affect my kois.

My camera ran out of film so once I have purchase it, I will take a picture of the TT and get Khoo to post it on this site for all to see. Nothing spectacular but doing a great job!

And Tony, thanks for recommending the Biohome but presently I think the bio-balls are doing great and cheaper too!

Josh, the 30-40 baby kois were given to me by a close friend of mine (from this earth, of course! Smile

) and he in turn got it from a friend from Penang who is a champion koi breeder. I think this chap will be taking part in the koi competition this weekend.

Will you guys be there at PWTC? If so, it would be great if we can actually meet up face to face instead of just posting messages over the net.

Khoo/Josh/Dr.Tan and the rest, if you are going to be there, perhaps you can give me your cell phone number and when I am there I will call you and meet up! My number is 016-288 4675.

See you guys at PWTC!

Cheerio!

Johnson Lee

(This post was edited by jtklee on Jan 9, 2002, 3:00 PM)

TonyG
Koi Lover

Sep 14, 2001, 2:01 AM

Post #46 of 59 (4359 views)
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Johnson

BRAVO...... I'm so happy for you that your pond is finally in control. Hey biohome or not, as long as it works, who cares. Just a word of advise, do monitor your water closely for it may take 2 ~ 3 weeks for the filter to really mature. I'm sure for now you can sppend more time appreciating your koi rather than worrying about them.

Marvellous work

Tony

johnson lee
Koi Kichi

Sep 14, 2001, 2:07 AM

Post #47 of 59 (4359 views)
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Hi Tony

Thanks for the kind words. I really owe this all to this forum and all the contributors who have been great!

I know I still have got a lot of things to learn and will continue to participate in this forum with a view to learn and also impart whatever little that I know to beginners.

If you are going to the MKS this weekend, will see you there!

Cheerio!

Johnson Lee

tracydr
Koi Lover

Sep 16, 2001, 2:49 AM

Post #48 of 59 (4359 views)
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Can I use plain farm salt from the feed store? How much for a 4,000 gallon pond? I'm having much the same problem, I attempted to treat my algae problem with a copper solution, big mistake and now my koi aren't eating or swimming. Have done 20% changes 3 days in a row, parameters normal. Can't test DO.

Khoobg
Webmaster

Sep 16, 2001, 8:47 AM

Post #49 of 59 (4359 views)
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Algae problem can be solved by having of filter of sufficient size and addition of Trickle Tower at the final stage of filtration. General requirement is that the surface area of the bio-filter need to be 30% or more of the top surface area of pond.

johnson lee
Koi Kichi

Sep 16, 2001, 2:48 PM

Post #50 of 59 (4359 views)
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Hi Tracy

I am not sure exactly what your problem is. I am assuming that after using copper solution to treat your pond, your fishes are not doing well.

What symptoms? Lethargic? Gasping for air? If they are infected by bacteria, then it would be advisable to salt your pond up to 0.3% as this will generally eliminate most bacteria etc. Pls. do not use salt that contains additives such as iodine etc. Most fish dealers sell pond salt. Smile

Do not feed the fish for the next few days and remove any activated carbon (if any) from your filtration system.

Hope that your fishes get well soon. Smile

Regards
Johnson

(This post was edited by jtklee on Apr 9, 2002, 2:00 PM)

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