Always Be Pond Prepared
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The old Boy Scout motto, “always be prepared” seems to hold very true when speaking about many things, for example; the zombie apocalypse, toilet paper, and especially koi ponds.
You should be prepared in the event of any emergencies that can occur, such as power outages, pump failures, even an unexpected spawning can cause problems serious enough that you can lose some, or even all of your fish.
So, in order to avoid a massive die off, (and we know that luck favors the prepared) here are some tips to help keep you Boy Scout style prepared for a koi pond-apocalypse. Yes, I went there. Sorry. Don’t unfollow me. 😉
Over population, and over feeding, are the most common reason that ponds turn to green, mucky, stinky messes, that no one enjoys, not even the koi. This can also, easily become a deadly situation in the heat of summer, when oxygen content plummets due to high temperatures. Factor in the fact that, (in my experience), pumps ALWAYS die in the hottest part of summer, and your fish could be in dire straits, in the blink of an eye.
Having a back up pump on hand, even if it is smaller than the ideal size for your pond, can get you through a weekend pump failure. Saturday night, at 1 am seems to be a popular time for pumps to expire. But you are soooo lucky as to have a back up pump, ready and willing in your garage. Simply throw that puppy on, and your fish are safe until you can get your main pump replaced or repaired
When it comes to a pond, forget location, I stand by aeration! If that back up pump is just a little too pricey for your budget, aerators are pretty affordable. They can be run 24/7, and will help to keep your pond aerated until you can get that failed pump repaired or replaced. Water changes are also a great idea during this time.
If your pump does go out, or your water takes a turn for the worst, having dechlorinator on hand allows you perform large water changes, without worrying about chlorine poisoning. Don’t forget it!
Salt is a great remedy to have on hand. If your fish start showing any signs of issues, add some salt. We suggest The Pond Digger salt, a good quality marine salt from a pet shop, or at the very least, a non iodized table salt.
Salt helps reduce 7 of the 9 most common parasites, and also can help with osmosis, which fish need to be able to regulate the water in their bodies, for proper internal organ function, and it can allow your fish to process oxygen better. It’s a great thing to have on hand for emergencies, an abbreviated quarantine, even a dip if you see something “funny” going on.
I hope these tips help you out if you get into a tough situation with your fish. For daily tips and tricks, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, The Pond Digger Podcast, and The Pond Digger YouTube channel.
