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If you have a question, please email to eip@sierrakoiclub.org <mailto:eip@sierrakoiclub.org>. The question will be posted on the website. Anyone can submit their answer to eip@sierrakoiclub.org <mailto:eip@sierrakoiclub.org> and will be posted within 24hrs. 

 

Q.: I am thinking of a new pond, and I have never had one. Where do I start ?

A.: Join your local koi club. They will have invaluable information regarding your area such as weather, wildlife/bird concerns, and advice on what works.

 

Q.: Can I have a pond on a budget ?

A.: Depending upon how many koi you want, almost anything is possible. As a minimum you will need filtration, pump, and a pond of some type.

 

Q.: Do I really need to join your club ? What do I get out of it ?

A.: A lot. Basically the fee to join for a year, is less than the cost of a decent koi from your local supplier. Not only do you learn about the hobby, you get to meet other koi keepers and discuss plans before you start to dig. These contacts save you time as well as money.

 

Q.:What is new pond syndrome?

A.: This is typically the description used for a new pond and cycling that is required for the pond to be balanced. A balanced pond typically has zero ammonia and zero nitrites. A new pond, MUST have very few koi. Some koi is necessary to begin the cycling process. To learn more about ammonia and nitrites please visit www.koivet.com.

 

Q.: Why are koi ponds 3 feet or deeper?

A.: One of the primary reasons is it keeps your koi safe from raccoons and birds. Steep sides without plants is preferred. Plants shelves allows raccoons a convenient place to sit and fish.

 

Q.: What special things should I do to my pond in the Spring ?

A.:  Don’t feed your koi unless water temperature has been above 55 degrees for more than a couple of days. Water temperature should stay above 55, for a period of time as well. Insure pond is clear of all debris including dead water plants, leaves etc.

 

Q.: What special should I do in the late Fall?

A.: Similar to Spring regarding pond debris and feeding. Some people cover their ponds, leaving some area available to natural sunlight. For heavy/cold winters pond keeper should insure that ice does not cover pond 100%. Using air stone or other methods will enable bad gases to escape.

 

Q.: When I clean my pond, I smell something really strong, like rotten eggs. What is that, and can it hurt my koi?

A.: This is very bad. Please visit www.koivet.com for details. Basically if the koi come in contact with these gases they can die or become very sick.

 

Q.: When should I stop feeding my koi ? And when can I start feeding them ?

A.: Generally rule of thumb is 55 degrees feed them, if you think it will stay warm. Around 50, don’t feed. This temperature is rather dangerous for you koi, regarding digestion as well as being able to fight off dieases.

 

Q.: What is the difference between a water feature and a koi pond?

A.: Generally a water feature is for people wanting the water, sound of water and some plants. Not necessarily fish. Water features are more economically as they do not require filtration, expensive food and bottom drain issues. A koi pond is generally much larger, usually a minimum of 3’ deep, have one or more filtrations, skimmers and the like.

 

Q.: I want a nature looking pond. Do I have to worry about drainage into my pond ?

A.: There are trade offs. Many koi ponds can be very natural looking but may require a little more attention than those ponds that are built regarding conditions such as drainage into ponds etc. There are examples of both in our club. Generally surface drainage into the pond is not good. During flooding, the koi could escape their safe pond. During common rain, the rain and fertilization of plants could drain into pond creating such things as green pond.

 

Q.: Why do people have bottom drains?

A.: All koi eat and generate fish waste. Fish wastes are solids and liquids. Generally the solids are heavy and drop to the bottom of the pond. These wastes can and do rot, creating a bad living condition for you koi. A bottom drain, through circulation of the system water into the filters will suck the heavy solids out of the pond. If you have a settling tank, these solids drop into this area, while the rest of the water cycles into your filter reasonably clean of solids.

 

Q.: What do I do if my fish start looking sick, acting strange or I have medical questions?

A.: Contact us or visit www.koivet.com. The website listed will enable you to define your search and find matches to the symptoms you are seeing and ways to fix the problem through injection or medicine. If you join our club, we share common behavior of koi as well as behavior that should be immediately given attention.

 

Q.: What are my choices if I need a good book on koi and koi care?

A.: One of the best we have seen is available through www.koivet.com. The use of this book, once, more than pays for the cost.

 

 

Q.: I am thinking adding a new pond in my backyard, and I have never had one. Where can I get information on ponds, koi keeping, and ways to save money ?

A.: Join your local koi club. Sierra Koi Club of Northern Nevada, has invaluable information regarding pond types (liner, perform, cement) how to overwinter your koi and protect them during very hot days, how to protect your koi from wildlife/birds, and great newsletters and articles on a wide range of topics.

 

Q.: Can I have a pond on a budget ?

A.: Depending upon how many koi you want, almost anything is possible. As a minimum you will need filtration, pump, and a pond of some type. Talk to our members, they have almost all sizes of ponds, types of filtrations and many DIY (do it yourself) solutions.

 

Q.: Do I really need to join your club ? What do I get out of it ?

A.: A lot of information via the newsletter, as well as one-on-one discussions with our members on what works here in Reno area and what is a waste of time/money. Basically the fee to join for a year, $15.00 per family, is less than the cost of a koi from your local supplier. Not only do you learn about the art of koi keeping, you also get to meet other koi keepers and discuss plans before you start to dig. These contacts and information, will save you time as well as money.

 

Q.:What is new pond syndrome?

A.: This is typically the description used for a new pond, water parameters that are cycling. A balanced pond typically has zero ammonia and zero nitrites. A new pond, MUST have very few koi/fish load. Some type of fish will be necessary to begin the cycling process. To learn more about ammonia and nitrites please visit www.koivet.com, or ask any of our board members. They can recommend a few books for reference. Imbalanced water parameters will kill fish. This is probably the number 1 killer.

 

Q.: Why are koi ponds 3 feet or deeper?

A.: One of the primary reasons is it keeps your koi safe from raccoons and birds. Koi are pretty smart. They can see/feel/sense dangers, and will drive to deepest part of ponds. If you have a pond with a variety of depths, this may not be as safe for your koi. They may need additional caves or locations to hide. Be sure the cave doesn’t have sharp edges, as koi may damage their scales and bodies. Steep sided ponds, without plants is preferred, as it doesn’t allow animals an easy access to food. Plants shelves, although look natural to the viewer, they also allow raccoons, and other feeders, a convenient place to sit and catch their next meal.

 

Q.: What special things should I do to my pond in the Spring ?

A.:  Don’t feed your koi unless water temperature has been above 55 degrees for more than a couple of days. Water temperature should stay above 55, for a period of time as well as koi digestive system needs warmer temperatures. If colder, and the koi do happen to eat, the food could “rot” inside their digestive track. Also, insure pond is clear of all debris including dead water plants, leaves etc. If a lot of debris is in the pond (covering with a net in the Fall would reduce debris in the Spring), then you need to consider removing the fish, draining the pond, refilling and treat for chlorine. NO LEAVES, or debris, then you may be able to have a easier Springtime, as well as the koi. Removing koi, is stressful for both the koi as well as the owner. Check you koi, for overall health. They will become more active as the temperatures increase.

 

Q.: What special should I do in the late Fall?

A.: Similar to Spring regarding pond debris and feeding. Some people cover their ponds, leaving some areas available to natural sunlight. For heavy/cold winters pond keeper should insure that ice does not cover pond 100%. Using air stone or other methods will enable bad gases to escape. Both Spring and Fall, check you koi for overall health. You want koi going into Fall/Winter as healthy as possible.

 

Q.: It is over 100 degrees today. What should I do for my koi, will they be ok ?

A.: Depends upon if the pond is shaded, how deep it is and whether you have good oxygen in the water. If you are full sun, not very deep you can cover half the pond for shade and add additional air stones or some such method to reduce your overall pond temperature. Would be good to have a floating thermometer, checking it in the morning, afternoon to see if any differences.

 

Q.: When I clean my pond, I smell something really strong, like rotten eggs. What is that, and can it hurt my koi?

A.: This is very bad. Please visit www.koivet.com for details. Basically if the koi come in contact with these gases they can die or become very sick. It is best to call a local company that specializes in pond cleanups, or do it yourself by removing your koi, store them in something clean with the same clean pond water they were in (same ph etc., and temperature), cover the storage tank to keep your fish safe, and place all in the shade if a warm/hot day. Then use a wet/dry vacumn or some such thing to suck the debris from the bottom. Try to keep as much water in the pond as possible, unless you plan a full clean up. The algae (carpet algae, smooth and not thick) on the sides of your pond IS GOOD algae, and keep as much of that as you can. It will help your pond cycle faster. The string algae is a nuisance, and will grow like crazy and can block/plug intakes/outtakes, pumps etc. There are natural and not natural ways to remove string algae, without having to remove all the water, and algae.

 

Q.: When should I stop feeding my koi ? And when can I start feeding them ?

A.: Generally rule of thumb is 55 degrees feed them, if you think it will stay warm. Around 50, or less don’t feed. This temperature is rather dangerous for you koi, regarding digestion as well as being able to fight off disease. Parasites are active before your koi’s immune system is, so that is why the Springtime, is rather dangerous for koi. Heating your pond will bypass this problem, but can be rather expensive solution.

 

Q.: What is the difference between a water feature and a koi pond?

A.: Generally a water feature is for people wanting the water, sound of water and some plants. Not necessarily fish. Water features are more economical as they do not require filtration, expensive food and things such as a bottom drain. A koi pond is generally much larger, usually a minimum of 3’ deep, have one or more filtrations, skimmers and the like. Swimming pools, water features, or anything that holds water could be modified into a pond for goldfish, but for koi … koi needs space, filtration and clean water. They saying goes: Keep your water clean, and your koi will be healthy. That is very true, if you quarantine new fish, before adding to your general population.

 

Q.: Why do I need to quarantine new fish, before adding to my pond ?

A.: New koi, rather all koi carry some level parasites. Koi that are not stressed (moved, changes to environments and water) the immune system is compromised and the parasites may thrive, so by isolating the koi (should not be alone, they can feel safer with a buddy) you allow the fish to relax, eat, and get back on track. You can observe them for a period of a few weeks, to check for ulcers and any behaviors that may not be normal. You will need to cover your quarantine tank (so they don’t jump), and feed them normally. If after a week they come up for the food and act normally, then they should be in good shape, but hold off before adding to your population. Please see articles within this website for full QT (quarantine tank) procedures. It will save you time and money.

 

Q.: I want a nature looking pond. Do I have to worry about drainage into my pond when there is heavy rain fall?

A.: There are trade offs. Many koi ponds can be very natural looking but may require a little more attention than those ponds that are built regarding conditions such as drainage into ponds etc. There are examples of both types of ponds within our club. Generally surface drainage into the pond is not good thing, as it carries fertilizers and such, which can create algae blooms. Also, during any type of flooding, the koi could escape their safe pond.

 

Q.: Why do people have bottom drains?

A.: All koi eat and generate fish waste. Fish wastes are solids and liquids. Generally the solids are heavy and drop to the bottom of the pond. These wastes can and do rot, creating a bad living condition for you koi. If you think about a toilet that you can’t flush, you get the idea. A bottom drain, through water circulation and pressure, will filter will those wastes out of the pond. If you have a settling tank, these solids drop into the tank (for later flushing), while the rest of the cleaner water cycles into your filter reasonably clean of solids.

 

Q.: What do I do if my fish start looking sick, acting strange/isolating themselves or if I have medical questions?

A.: Contact us Sierra Koi Club, visit www.koivet.com online, or call your local koi dealer. Koivet will enable you to define your search and find matches to the symptoms you are seeing and find ways to fix the problem through injection or medicine. If you join our club, we share common behavior of koi as well as behavior that should be immediately given attention. Local dealers can offer you books and advise as well.

 

Q.: What are my choices if I need a good book on koi and koi care?

A.: One of the best we have seen is available through www.koivet.com. The use of this book, once, more than pays for the cost. The title: Koi Health and Disease-Beginner to Advanced life-saving technology book by Erik L. Johnson, D.V.M is comprehensive and very valuable. This book is only $39.95 for the 2006 edition, less than the cost of a nice koi. People have taken this book to their family vet, to get treatments for their koi. The book identifies the problem they are having and the vet maybe able to help. Call you vet to see what help they can offer.

 

Q.: Are there any visiting koi experts coming to Reno? When is the seminar, and what can I expect to learn? What is the cost and how do I apply ?

A.: Dr. Erik Johnson DVM has visited Reno in the past, but due to limitations and his practicing business he is no longer travelling to our area. There are however speakers at our koi meetings, as well as Rail City Garden Center offers talks and seminars. Contact for updates. Our website www.sierrakoiclub.org will have the most updated information as well.

 

Q.: What can I expect when I join the club, do I have to come to all the meetings?

 

A.: We would love you to join the club. It is only $15.00 per family for each year. We have a newsletter that is emailed the following months – March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, Fall and Winter. They include club information, articles from knowledgeable koi persons, local-regional information on koi shows, local advertising so you know who is out there that supports our koi and much more. Further, we have meetings starting in April, usually depending upon weather, at members homes or at businesses that open their doors for us to meet and talk. At the meetings, there is usually a light or full meal, a club business discussions as well as open discussions. It is a lot of fun to see other ponds, get ideas and share. The club is open to anyone with questions, regardless if they are a member or not, but can only attend meetings if they are members. Attendance at meetings is optional, but to get the full value of membership it is recommended to come. Please RSVP before you come, so the host can be sure to have enough for everyone. The club reimburses hosts $50.00 to assist in the costs to host. Updated information on the meetings is available on the website. That information is also available in the newsletters, but as newsletters can become outdated (in regards to meeting time and date) it is recommended you visit the website and call the host.

 

 

 

 

 

      

 

   

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Last modified: 11/11/10