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Home: KOI Talk: Pond Water Quality:
How do I test my pond? What's are the correct results?

 





 


fortune
Koi Lover

Jun 2, 2002, 12:51 AM

Post #1 of 9 (1282 views)
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How do I test my pond? What's are the correct results? Can't Post
Ok guys... My pond is almost complete. I've learnt a lot from this forum and I believe u people are very expert. So please help me with the questions below thank you.

1) What is the most suitable temperature for pond? How do I check? Do I need any special temperature or I can purchase one between Rm3 - RM12?

2) What are the Ph level for pond? Where can I get the Universal thing to check? I'm in Penang and where u think I can get it. Pls state the price too.. so I won't be cheated.

3) How much of algae is dangerous for pond? Is there any picture to show examples or is there anyway where I can know that?

4) If there's anything else that I need to use to test pls tell me. I pond needs your help before I invest with some fishes. Help me save the fish's life Angelic and my money tooLaugh.Thank you very much.
Best regards,
Kelwin


KevKoi
Member


Jun 2, 2002, 10:09 AM

Post #2 of 9 (1276 views)
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Re: [fortune] How do I test my pond? What's are the correct results? [In reply to] Can't Post
There's nothing much you can do where temp is concerned in Malaysia. U sure won't need any heating in M'sia as the temperature is perpetually high. A chiller in a pond in Malaysia would drive you broke and is really unessasary if your pond is deep enough to maintain comfortable levels for your fish. The bigger/deeper the pond the less likely it will over heat in a heat-wave. Save our money.... don't bother buying the thermometer.

I don't suggest you muck around with the pH of your pond too. The water coming out of the tap is on the alkali (ie above pH 7) side. When you first put water in the concrete pond, the pH will probably be high. (close to 9). Some ppl have tried lowering that pH by using acids such as Muratic acid or pineapple skins. I did nothing and just let it be at pH 9. I tested it out with some cheap fish for a week to see if any adverse effects on the high pH, but the fish suvived well with no bloody fins or anything. (especially chose a platinum ogon so I could see clearly. Wink). A buffer of calcium carbonate of some sort (cockle shells, coral sand) would be a good idea to put in the cleanest chamber of your pond (if it's gravity fed, it's your pump chamber) to prevent a pH crash. Eventually and slowly, your pH would drop and stabilise at a level you'll be comfortable with. Last time I checked, my pond pH was 7.8.

The question is not how much algae is dangerous. Algae is NOT dangerous. The danger is in overly high NITRATE (nitrate is the end product of the pond filter cycle and is basically plant food.). If you see green water, it is generally the sign of high nitrate. Nitrate at above 100ppm is suppose to be dangerous to fish. I have recorded those levels in my indoor pond before, surprisingly with no casualties to my fish. (it was indoors and protected from excessive sunlight so I got away without green water.... phew.). After putting in a simple 68L dustbin with bioballs as a trickle tower filter, my last recorded nitrate level in the pond was 10ppm.

U will need to buy a pH tester, an ammonia tester, a Nitrite tester and a Nitrate tester to start off. U can get all these at any reputable aquarium. I usually go to Kian Weng in Air Itam to get stuff (when in Penang.).They give pretty good prices.... oh and they occasionally have Jap kois for sale at good prices too. Each of the testers would cost you something in the range of RM25. One test kit will take quite a while to finish as you use only very small quantities to test. I personally use AZOO brand as I find them convenient.

Anything else I missed out? Lets see some pictures of the new pond! Cool


johnson lee
Koi Kichi

Jun 3, 2002, 10:43 AM

Post #3 of 9 (1254 views)
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Re: [fortune] How do I test my pond? What's are the correct results? [In reply to] Can't Post
Hi Fortune

Congratulations on your new pond!SmileSmile Well, Kev has given you the right advice so just follow them.

I am just curious about your filter system. Can you describe more to us? ie. How many chambers, what filter media, gravity fed or not etc. As you should be aware by now, the filter plays the most important role in koi-keeping.

If I were you, in order to minimise fish loss, introduce 2-3 cheap kois into your pond first to test it. Initially, your water readings will be fluctuating and uncertain. If it is a concrete pond, pH will be high. Do not worry too much about the pH. I too like Kev did not do anything to lower the pH. My first reading was about 8.5. As of today, it is 7.5. Smile

I have found the gradual introduction of kois into the pond works very well as the filter matures in tandem with it.Cool Always avoid overfeeding in the beginning when the filter is not matured. You need to have the 4 basic water test kit : pH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. Once you have a few fishes swimming in there, test daily and pls post the readings for us to help you further.

Good luck!

Rgds

JohnsonSmileCool


fortune
Koi Lover

Jun 3, 2002, 6:11 PM

Post #4 of 9 (1235 views)
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Re: [johnson lee] How do I test my pond? What's are the correct results? [In reply to] Can't Post
Ok... Thanks people for treating me like a family. I really wanna show u guys my pond pictures... But I'll be showing it to you guys in 1-2months time. Sorry for the delay as currently I'm very busy with the construction of my new house.



Back to the filter.. Mine is an external filter. Sad to say but that's as much as I can afford. I know that shouldn't be as many many of you all advised me to but sorry guys.. not to dissapoint u all I still can't afford it.

My filter has 4 chambers where u can choose which one to flush out. Then the pond is made in a shape of V with pipes lying at the middle of the pond. The dirts will all fall down to the long pipes with holes and sucked into a filter using a pump. Anyway.. I'll show a full picture of what it is...



Be patient and thanks!

Kelwin
Best regards,
Kelwin


johnson lee
Koi Kichi

Jun 4, 2002, 4:06 PM

Post #5 of 9 (1218 views)
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Re: [fortune] How do I test my pond? What's are the correct results? [In reply to] Can't Post
Hi Kelwin

When you say external filter, you mean something like an Eheim external filter? The one that is like a container which has filter media in it? Well, do not feel sorry, if that is all you can afford at the moment, it's OK. Just do not rear too many kois right now until you can afford a multichamber filter.

Feeding should also be controlled.

GOod luck!

Rgds

JohnsonCool


Joseph
Koi Lover

Jun 5, 2002, 1:26 PM

Post #6 of 9 (1205 views)
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Re: [johnson lee] How do I test my pond? What's are the correct results? [In reply to] Can't Post
Hi Johnson

What is a multi chamber filter? My filter is the same as Kelwin. Simple box shape with filter media such as sponges in it. Nothing fancy. As u can see, it does clog up quite quickly until i put in some good bacteria to stop the algae and nitrate. Now the water looked clearer and my koi look happier.



Joseph


johnson lee
Koi Kichi

Jun 6, 2002, 10:52 AM

Post #7 of 9 (1188 views)
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Re: [Joseph] How do I test my pond? What's are the correct results? [In reply to] Can't Post
CoolHi Joseph

A multichamber filter means a filter with at least 3 separate chambers. Right now, your filter is just one box or container and you put in the filter media on top of each other right?

Well, for a multichamber filter, it is separated either during the construction using concrete or if it is a fibreglass box, some people use glass or plastic to create the separation. To see diagrams, you can search under filter system.

Hope this makes sense to you!Smile

Rgds

Johnson


fortune
Koi Lover

Jun 6, 2002, 11:26 PM

Post #8 of 9 (1174 views)
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Re: [johnson lee] How do I test my pond? What's are the correct results? [In reply to] Can't Post
Thanks Joseph, If it wasn't u who ask. How would I know what's a Multi-chamber Filter.

Ok Johnson, My external filter is a multi chambered one where I can use the valve to switch which chamber to flow out. U get what I mean? I only open the Shit chamber's valve daily and the rest.. I dunno when. Do you know? Anyway I haven;t seen the filter yet. I shall tell u guys when I post the full details of my pond including pictures of it.

THanks everyone.

Kelwin
Best regards,
Kelwin


johnson lee
Koi Kichi

Jun 7, 2002, 2:18 PM

Post #9 of 9 (1160 views)
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Re: [fortune] How do I test my pond? What's are the correct results? [In reply to] Can't Post
Hi Kelvin

So you have a multi-chamber filter, good! What is it made of? Is it fibreglass? It is good to know that you remove the waste from the first chamber daily. That way, your kois will have less risk of contracting diseases!Cool

Check the other chambers at least once a week to make sure that there isn't too much waste in there. If you do not feed too much, I supposed you can open those valves once a month! Less work!Wink

Loking forward to see those pics!Cool

Rgds

Johnson

 
 
 



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