Posts Tagged fish

The Perfect Koi Pond

Posted by on Thursday, 28 July, 2011

When considering how to make the perfect koi pond, you first need to think about where you are going to site the koi pond and what it will look like. These questions have two governing factors: where you would like it to go and where it should go for the good of the fish.

Size is a very critical factor, because the larger the pond, the less maintenance it will require and the better it will be for the fish. Fish tend to grow to a size that is comensurate with their environment up to their maximum size, but koi are large fish, so you should take that into account. The quantity of fish you would like is also a factor.

The first step is actually making your koi pond. This is not a tricky task, but it does have to be done properly, otherwise you will be repairing your pond for the rest of your life. Maintenance will be far more strenuous as well. So, you have two choices: either get in a builder or get a book on the topic. In fact, it is a good idea to get a book anyway.

If you are going to have the pond created for you, it is a good idea to get up to five estimates. Reject the top and bottom quotes and then either choose the lowest of the three or add them up, divide by three and select the one that is the nearest. This way you have selected a fair price. If you choose to go it alone, read your book of suggestions first.

Be aware that your pond and your kois’ future happiness, indeed their very lives, are in your hands alone. The builder may be a competent builder, but what does he know about fish ponds? The salesperson in the pet shop is trying to sell appliances, no matter how much they know about koi. You need to know how to make the perfect koi pond yourself.

If you are still stuck, you could choose a fish pond kit. These kits contain everything you need for different sizes of pond. This is because a lot has to do with the volume of water in the pond. The pump that you have will have to recycle the total quantity of pond water at least once a day, if not more frequently.

Once your pond has been dug out and the equipment has been fitted, it is time to fill it up with water. You can use tap water, but you will need to use an additive in order to remove certain chemicals in the water (chlorine, for example). Then you should let your pond water mature for a week, with or without the devices running.

During this period, you can be reading up about koi carp. One thing to keep in mind is that koi breed quite readily in a good koi pond. They can also grow fairly large, so it is far better to understock rather than overstock your pond. It is also better to buy smallish koi, say about six inches long, and let the fish get on with growing and stocking your pond for you.

Buy your preliminary stock all in one go and all from one place, so that they will all be healthy (or not) and they will already ‘be familiar with each other’. After you have stocked your pond, always quarantine new fish for a week, so that you con contain diseases like koi herpes. Verify the quality of your pond water on a weekly basis and correct any imbalances immediately.

You will need to check up on feeding, because koi need to provide different quantities of food for different times of the year. However, koi can be given treats like dogs and they can be trained to feed out of your hand in time, once you have learned how to make the perfect koi pond.

Owen Jones, the writer of this article, writes on many subjects, but is at present involved with the fish pond filter. If you are interested in a Solar Powered Pond Pump, please go to our web site now for a great deal.

Your Very Own Backyard Pond

Posted by on Sunday, 24 July, 2011

If you have a backyard or back garden, you can have a fish pond. They are not costly to build and if you make it yourself it is clearly even cheaper. You can make your own pond pretty easily, you just have to bear a few things in mind when you plan where you are going to situate it and how big it will be.

A backyard fish pond is fantastic for all kinds of households. Tending a backyard fish pond is not difficult and the mild exercise can be good for you. it is also therapeutic to watch the fish and other pond life going about their routine business and children will learn a bit more about nature,

It is important to plan your pond before you pick up your spade and the first thing to think about is where you are going to place it. Try not to put it under a tree or you will be dredging leaves out of your pond every day in autumn. Do not put the pond at the lowest point in your garden or it may overflow when it rains and your fish may swim away which means that you will need to sandbag it before it rains every time..

The midday sun can be very hot, so it would help if the pond had at least partial shade between 11 AM and 2 PM. If your region is subject to freezing then the pond should be 30-45 inches deep for at least 4 m2 or 36 ft2, although if the winter can get really bad, it is best to get advice from a neighbourhood pet shop. Have a look at the pre-formed fish ponds in a garden or pond centre to see if you like those shapes and sizes. If you do not, then you can procure a butyl pond liner (a sheet of rubber) and design your own pond.

Once you have dug out your backyard fish pond and put your pre-formed or butyl liner into the hole, you should finish off the pond’s edge with either brick, block or stone. Use similar materials to construct a few caves in the pond itself for the fish to hide in. You could also anchor the fountain and any under-water lighting. Fill the pond with water, but do not place any living thing into it yet. Put the rest of your equipment in.

You will need a general purpose pump to send water to the pond filter, which should be two or three feet above the water level. The water will then have to pass through a filter to take out plant debris and faeces and under a UV light to kill bacteria. It can return to the pond via a waterfall, which will help aerate the water as will the fountain.

After a week, the water will have lost the chemicals like chlorine which the water company puts into it and you can buy plants and fish, but do not rush into it. You may want to build a few shelves to put flower pots on for the aquatic plants that need them.

Owen Jones, the writer of this article, writes on many topics, but is at present involved with fish pond accessories. If you are interested in a Solar Powered Pond Pump, please go to our web site now for some great deals.

Coral reef fish danger – Blue Planet – BBC Environment

Posted by on Wednesday, 11 May, 2011

BBC ‘Blue Planet – Deep Trouble’ team explain the environmental dangers facing the world’s shallow waters. With high demands for rare species of fish, coral reefs are in danger of being fished out and deserted. Brilliant natural world video.
Video Rating: 4 / 5