Important Koi Supplies

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     Koi Supplies ?Food
As you set up your Koi pond you do not have a long list of Koi supplies. Obviously food is your major requirement. While Koi will eat a wide range of foods, many of which can come from your own kitchen, specialised pellets for Koi should be kept on hand for those emergencies that do arise. If your main food source is mainly specially prepared pellets then it is advisable to carry more than one make to vary the food and thus ensure a balanced diet for your Koi. Koi seem to have an endless appetite and you do not want to run out of food. Some advocate feeding Koi twice a day so do keep up your food supplies. Again if you do feed your Koi from your own kitchen do ensure that the diet you are giving them is balanced and healthy.

Koi Supplies ?Test Kits
Keeping Koi may appear to some to turn you into a chemist. Your biggest enemy in the pond is probably ammonia produce by the Koi's elimination of waste. The more you feed the Koi the more ammonia you will find in your water. Checking for ammonia levels is important but there are other tests that need to be done on a regular basis. A full chemical test kit for a pond (not a swimming pool) will test for most of the issues that can arise in your pond in addition to ammonia levels. PH levels, Nitrites, Nitrates are issues that need attention which can be brought to light with a chemical test kit. If you do not feel like buying the full kit individual kits should be purchased for the four tests just mentioned. Remember your chemical test kit is just that, a testing kit. It reveals your problems it does not solve them. High levels of the chemicals mentioned above will require your attention and these actions are discussed elsewhere. Test kits have a shelf life so do check these dates as you manage the levels of your Koi supplies.

Koi Supplies ?Chemicals
Chemicals are dangerous to fish and please proceed with caution. There are times when you do have the need for some chemicals in addition to those required in your test kits but hopefully these time will be rare. Remember your aim is to maintain a natural balance as found in nature. But if your pH is either low or high and you have tried everything else to correct the situation there are chemicals, ie pond salt or baking soda, that can assist restoring a balance. However it is important to always test your water before adding any chemical. You do not really want to add any chemical if you can achieve a natural balance particularly if you are able to build up your plant life. However when necessary have the right chemical on hand. Add only small quantities at a time and test each time before adding further quantities. Keep a written record of everything you do, every step you take.

One issue that can be a problem if it so happens that your only source of replacement water is a town supply that is highly chlorinated. Try not to add large quantities of tap water at a single time if this is so. Sometimes a de-chlorinator is needed to assist with this problem. Consider holding rainwater if possible rather than adding a de-chlorinator.

Koi Supplies ?The Problem of Algae
Algae is often an ongoing problem and there are a number of products that can be purchased to assist. Unfortunately these are not cheap and with a large pond it can be quite expensive to treat for algae. Algae needs light to grow so if you can provide shade this is helpful. Your best resource is to ensure that you have a range of aquatic plants that can capture the nutrients upon which algae grow. If you can get the balance correct you can have an algae free pond without recourse to chemicals. Work hard on keeping algae in check without having recourse to chemicals. Try and keep your list of Koi supplies as small as possible.

Koi Supplies ?Drugs
From time to time you may need to treat Koi for disease. This is best done in a quarantine tank so that a much smaller amount of the drug or chemical is required as you will need to apply these based on the volume of water in which the Koi are being treated. There is very little need to keep these drugs on hand. They often have a short shelf life and you may need expert advice before treating the Koi. However take the time to find out where these drugs or chemicals can be purchased should the need arise. Treatment of disease is not something you can do without professional help so do seek help when necessary.

Koi Supplies ?Sundries
A small list of sundries should also be kept in mind. Spare parts for pumps and filters are important. These are always required when supply stores are not open for business! Your list of parts will be dictated by the equipment you have installed. However one item that can be invaluable is a net in which to catch a Koi as and when required.

For more information on keeping Koi visit www.koihowto.com where we deal with a wide range of useful topics.