Koi Forum (Nishikigoi - Japanese Koi Fish): Koi Health: KOI Health and Disease: I need some help

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I need some help

21pete
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Jun 23, 2007, 10:42 AM

Post #1 of 5 (438 views)
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I need some help	Can't Post

Hi, this is my first time with koi and they seem to be a lot more high maintenance than i thought they'd be. Its been a really long time since i had a tank... i just go a 55 gallon... I ran the filter for two weeks and put in the stress coat before adding the koi. I'm only feeding them koi food. I've had them one week, i changed the water once and am constantly scooping poop, but yet the water gets cloudy and the smallest koi seems to be sick. It is removed from the other koi, very lethargic and seems like its struggling to swim all day and not eating any food. I need to do something before this fish dies. Anyone have advice... I know i need to check the ph, but not sure how. i work during the same hours that the pet shop is open, so i can only get down there once a week. thanks a lot

koiguyoz
Member

Jun 23, 2007, 7:11 PM

Post #2 of 5 (429 views)
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Re: [21pete] I need some help [In reply to]	Can't Post

Some questions:
*How many koi are in the tank?
*What size are they?
*How many koi did you add when your first got the filter?
*What size is your filter (make and model would also be good to know)?

Some advice and comments:
I suspect you might have high ammonia and nitrite levels as a result of an immature colony of bacteria that hasn't thrived yet to equal the balance of wastes made by the koi.

You can alleviate the ammonia and nitrite problems through a water change of 10-25% tank volume using dechlorinator if using tap water. Otherwise I would recommend aging a large amount of tap water in a large and clean container with a strong aerator of some sort to agitate the chlorine gas out. You must do this water change daily.

Your filter might be too small for your koi. You might have to consider upgrading to a larger biological filter soon.

You can also alleviate ammonia through the use of zeolite chips so long as you have not added salt to the water. Adding salt causes the zeolite to release any captured ammonia back into the water.

Get a test kit to test for nitrite, nitrate, ammonia and PH soon. They are available from any local fish store.

needucho
Koi Lover

Jun 24, 2007, 1:02 AM

Post #3 of 5 (423 views)
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Re: [koiguyoz] I need some help [In reply to]	Can't Post

i absolutely agree with koiguy, please check all water parameter first then go on.
samantha

21pete
New User

Jun 24, 2007, 3:45 AM

Post #4 of 5 (420 views)
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Re: [koiguyoz] I need some help [In reply to]	Can't Post

thanks. I have three koi 3-4" with a wisper 60 filter.
if i use the declorinator, do i still have to change the water daily?
I'm thinking about getting another fliter the same size. I asked so many questions at the local pet store and they told me to just change the water every few weeks and add stress coat and feed them koi food and they will be okay. I dont think they know what they are talking about

koiguyoz
Member

Jun 24, 2007, 12:21 PM

Post #5 of 5 (416 views)
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Re: [21pete] I need some help [In reply to]	Can't Post

The dechlorinating agent is used to null the effects of chlorine from your tap water. It does not reduce the effects of the elevated nitrite and ammonia levels for which the water change accounts for. Therefore I recommend changing the water daily to dilute any elevating ammonia and nitrite levels.

This is the link to a Whisper 60 filter for anyone wanting to know more:

http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/product/productInfo.web?infoParam.mode=1&infoParam.itemKey=205897

The filter appears to be a HOB (hang on back) filter.

I personally don't beliebe that filter has enough in terms of biomedia surface area to benefit your koi in the long run. I have a 55 gallon tank and run a filter like these:
http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/cat/infoL3/22891/category.web. The large external canister filters have a higher surface area for beneficial bacteria to colonise. I suggest purchasing one of these in the future to add to your Whisper 60 unit.

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