Newbie and frustrated

Isn't 6 Koi a lot for an 800-1000 gallon pond? I thought the basic rule is
1000 gallons for the first koi and 100 gallons for each additional one?

Anne


"ebruvold" wrote in message
oups.com...
OK....

Live in San Diego. Had a pond installed last September. About a 3
foot rise waterfall into a pond of about 800-1000 gallons. Installed
by local contractor. Gave us Koi (6) and some water lillies plus
"Aquascape Designs String Algea Buster (SAB)" and "Aquascape Design
Aquaclear"

Followed all directions rigorously in respect to bacteria, cleaning,
etc. But as you may have heard, southern california had more rain than
we have had in the last 100 years. So a fair amount of run off into
the pond and outright rain. Had to pump out water on numerous
occasions and other times simply let it overflow in to landscape.

With warmer weather planted some more lilles and some marginals.
Lillies going well. I have about 10-15% surface area covered and more
pads every day. I do not have any "bottom plants" but strongly
considering adding them.

HOWEVER, I have a serious string and single cell (green water) algae
problem that is driving me to frustration.

Been spiking (triple the dose every day) my pond with both "clear"
bacteria and SAB. Hand cleaning out every day the string algae that is
easy to get out and actually pulling some off from individual rocks.

But not sure it is helping! Or at least I can not noticeably see a
difference. Is my only hope to drain the pond and start over? Should
I have patience with the product I am using? Should I try something
different (there seem to be a huge number of different concoctions out
there - any objective reviews?)

"Anne Lurie" wrote in message
om...
Isn't 6 Koi a lot for an 800-1000 gallon pond? I thought the basic rule
is
1000 gallons for the first koi and 100 gallons for each additional one?
==================
It's enough if they're young koi and there's good filtration, partial water
changes and aeration.
--
McKoi.... the frugal ponder...
"To persevere in one's duty and
be silent, is the best answer to calumny."
~~~ }((((o ~~~ }{{{{o ~~~ }(((((o

!doctype html public "-//w3c//dtd html 4.0 transitional//en"
html
I've been to Aquascape site, yet couldn't find any information regarding
what went inside the biofall. If you worry about killing the beneficial
bacteria, try cleaning half of the filter. Then clean the other half 2
weeks later. The other option is to stop feeding the fish, and clean the
filter now. Resume feeding 2 weeks later.
pMy pond had a lot of plants, yet it had pea soup water. It cleared once
my better filter started to function. I had those same green water in an
outdoor aquarium. It remained green until I put in some Water Hyacinth.
Plants alone did not clear the water, the same could be said about filter.
pDon't feel too bad. People with superior filters still have problem
with pea soup. They still need to resort to using UV filter to remove it.
If you want a quick solution, get one installed.
pAs for bacteria products, I have no idea. I've never used them.
pebruvold wrote:
blockquote TYPE=CITEMore information seems in order.
pThe filter  is an Aquascape "BIOFALLS" filter.  The contractor
who put
brit in suggested not to clean that often as it would kill off the
brbenefial bacteria.  I believe the recommendation was to change
out the
brfilter once a year.  It looks generally clean (or at least not
clogged
brand too soiled).
pThe pond gets a LOT of morning shade and then afternoon and evening
brsun.
pI am using supposedly beneficial bacteria - the Aquascape Clear
brbacteria plus SAB enyme.  I haven't tried (but thinking) Barley
(which
bras I understand it I can place either in the pond or in the water
brcourse. I am tyring to get the lillies to cover at least 60% of pond.
brWhat I am trying to figure out is how to make sense of ALL the products
brout on the market.  There seem to be scores of different "bacteria"
brproducts.  Are there any reviews????
pWoudl just like to see the bottom of my pond at some point ;-)/blockquote
/html

"Sean Dinh" wrote in message
...
I've been to Aquascape site, yet couldn't find any information regarding
what went inside the
biofall. If you worry about killing the beneficial bacteria, try cleaning
half of the filter. Then
clean the other half 2 weeks later. The other option is to stop feeding
the fish, and clean the
filter now. Resume feeding 2 weeks later.
snip

Or take the output of your pump and clean the filter outside the pond with
pond water. Put the filter back on-line, and then top your pond off. Minimal
filter death that way.


--
BV
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They are LITTLE koi - I think the biggest is about 5-6 inches. Haven't
really fed them much for about 2 weeks. Figured there was enough stuff
for them to munch on in the pondDid give them a bit today - they
gobbled up the food quickly.

"Derek Broughton" wrote in message
...
ebruvold wrote:

The filter is an Aquascape "BIOFALLS" filter. The contractor who put
it in suggested not to clean that often as it would kill off the
benefial bacteria. I believe the recommendation was to change out the
filter once a year. It looks generally clean (or at least not clogged
and too soiled).

Note how "Biofalls" and "Contractor" appear so close together... I'm not
much of a fan of contractor-based solutions. Biofalls just seem to me to
be another way to separate recreational ponders from large amounts of
money.

I am using supposedly beneficial bacteria - the Aquascape Clear
bacteria plus SAB enyme. I haven't tried (but thinking) Barley (which
as I understand it I can place either in the pond or in the water
course. I am tyring to get the lillies to cover at least 60% of pond.
...
Woudl just like to see the bottom of my pond at some point ;-)

Frankly, short of a UV treatment system, I doubt you'll ever see the bottom
- and it's not something I'd aim for. It's unnatural, and it limits the
hiding places for fish. Being able to see a couple of feet into the pond
is good enough for me.
--
derek

Hmmm. I've never used UV and I've always been able to see the bottom of my pond
(45" deep). If I use a UV filter, will I be able to see 'past' the bottom? lol

"Sean Dinh" wrote in message
...
I've been to Aquascape site, yet couldn't find any information regarding what
went inside the biofall. If you worry about killing the beneficial bacteria,
try cleaning half of the filter. Then clean the other half 2 weeks later. The
other option is to stop feeding the fish, and clean the filter now. Resume
feeding 2 weeks later.
My pond had a lot of plants, yet it had pea soup water. It cleared once my
better filter started to function. I had those same green water in an outdoor
aquarium. It remained green until I put in some Water Hyacinth. Plants alone
did not clear the water, the same could be said about filter.

Don't feel too bad. People with superior filters still have problem with pea
soup. They still need to resort to using UV filter to remove it. If you want a
quick solution, get one installed.

Hmmm. If the filter is so superior, why do they have pea green soup for water?
I only had this problem once, immediately after I set up my pond three years
ago. I haven't had it since.

As for bacteria products, I have no idea. I've never used them.

They work, and work well.

"ebruvold" wrote in message
oups.com...
They are LITTLE koi - I think the biggest is about 5-6 inches. Haven't
really fed them much for about 2 weeks. Figured there was enough stuff
for them to munch on in the pondDid give them a bit today - they
gobbled up the food quickly.

In about three years, they will be MUCH BIGGER.

"George" wrote in message
news:wT9_d.144483$4q6.122051@attbi_s01...
snip
Don't feel too bad. People with superior filters still have problem with
pea
soup. They still need to resort to using UV filter to remove it. If you
want a
quick solution, get one installed.

Hmmm. If the filter is so superior, why do they have pea green soup for
water?
I only had this problem once, immediately after I set up my pond three
years
ago. I haven't had it since.

As for bacteria products, I have no idea. I've never used them.

They work, and work well.


I disagree. I get an algae bloom EVERY YEAR. When the VF takes off, the
water clears within days. My neighbor, who uses a biofilter only, added a VF
last year, and had clear water for the first time.

I am not anti-UV, I just don't have a need for it.


--
BV
Webporgmaster of iheartmypond.com
http://www.iheartmypond.com
Help IHeartMyPond.com, by doing all of your eBay shopping via our
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It doesn't cost you anything, but an extra click!

I use a veggie filter and can always see the bottom of mine also. My
pond is 3 foot deep. Oh by the way this is rebeljoe on someone elses
box.