Hints & Tips for the Novice Koi Keeper

As a new or novice koi keeper you will typically find that there are many question you seek answers to, and if you search the internet you're sure to find numerous answers to each of your questions. Sometimes these answers will be contradictory and as such the PKDA has put together this quick Hints & Tips page to give you some basic advice on the most popular topics.

The Internet is often found to provide contradictory information to those new to Koi-keeping.

The PKDA list of hints and tips is sound basic advice on pond management.

• It is essential to test pond water for ammonia, nitrite, p.H and dissolved oxygen
• Test once a week in the summer when feeding heavily
• Once a fortnight during winter as Koi still excrete ammonia
• Test daily in a new pond or if the fish are not behaving normally
• Look at other parameters if a problem prevails
• Carry out small partial water changes to reduce toxicity in spring summer and autumn
• Ensure mains water is safe either by use of a water purifier or tap water conditioning product
• Circulate the whole pond every 2-3 hours or refer to filter manufacturer as some vary
• Run pumps continuously all year round to keep the filter fully biological
• Introduce dissolved oxygen to the water via an air pump to 10mg/L
• Clean or vacuum waste from pond and filter regularly
• After cleaning filter, run to waste before returning to the pond
• When a filter is new stock the pond gradually
• Do not overstock as this can cause disease
• Calculate the total pond and filter gallonage and record it for reference
• Accurately measure all medications for the pond gallonage – see pond calculator information
• Switch off U.V. when using medication
• Only medicate when there is a genuine health problem
• Check that all items for pond use are known to be fish safe
• Quarantine all new Koi