Koi help needed - Aquarium Advice

BlueCrystalMan · 07-03-2004, 09:25 AM

Hello! A couple of weeks ago I completed my pond... Here it is: http://www.bluecrystalsoftware.com/phasefive.htm

I added three Koi this week... Not sure it was a good idea, but I got them from WalMart... $4.58 each... I chose WalMart over my local nursery because of the return policy "just in case"... one of them died after two days... he was odd from the first day, and the other two wouldn't play with him.

I replaced him yesterday and he got along fine with the other two, then decided to 'hide'... he in at the base of the falls in between two rocks... one of the others has decided to join him... and I haven't seen them since. The remaining one is still trolling the bottom...

Anything to be concerned about?[/url]

BlueCrystalMan · 07-03-2004, 10:28 AM

One other question... if the two Koi (or even one for that matter) should happen to die in their haven, will the pond smell? They are only about four inches or so at this point...

krap101 · 07-03-2004, 11:49 AM

if you dont take them out and they start to decay it will smell. but if you have a really big pond it wont smell as much because the smell is spread out over a larger distance

BlueCrystalMan · 07-03-2004, 02:14 PM

They came out. Snacked a bit. Then went back in. Guess when they get bigger they won't fit and will hang out in the open. Is it normal for them to hide like that? All three of them seem to be seeking cover...

07-03-2004, 03:41 PM

2 things:

Yes, its normal for Koi to hide like that, especially untill they feel very secure in their new home.

If one dies, smell will be the least of your worries, a dead fish, especially the larger their size, will quickly foul your water, likely leading to more problems. If any of your fish go missing for any length of time, you really need to take the time to find out if it's dead in there and remove it.

07-03-2004, 03:47 PM

Bluecrystalman, good looking pond!

Couple questions: How deep is it? Hard to tell from the pictures. You need at least 2 feet deep to over-winter your fish in the pond, eastern PA, not too different a climate than me in northern MD.
Do you plan on putting more plants in? Some more plants around the edges will look good and help remove nutrients, hopefully keeping algae from becoming a problem.
Nice bridge, did you build it yourself, or buy it? just curious, I don't have that kind of carpentry skill.

BlueCrystalMan · 07-03-2004, 10:02 PM

Had to buy it... I'm a do it yourself kinda guy, but I figured by the time I got done buying wood and spindles and flinging tools out of aggravation, the cost would be the same...

The plant shelves are 12" and the main depth is 24"... I was thinking of bringing the Koi in this year for the winter... get them a nice big aquarium. Not sure yet. I have a friend who has a 24" pond a few miles from here and she says her Koi are fine.

More plants are coming. Added some floating hyacinths tonight (from my friend's pond)... Yes, I don't like the look of the rubber, and I can't bring the water line any higher on that side because my level or something was off and it is as high as it can go on the other side...

Thanks!

Oh yeah... my friend Olga also gave me five 'babies'... she thinks three or four are goldfish and one is a koi... Once I put them in the other three came out of hiding and have been pretty active playing with the new ones... I dread fish deaths... it really upsets my eight year old...

I love this forum... all of you guys are pretty amazing with your work... great job!

krap101 · 07-03-2004, 11:17 PM

dang that pond is amazing. how many gallons?

BlueCrystalMan · 07-03-2004, 11:27 PM

The nursery owner where I got most of the supplies estimates it between 850 and 1000 gallons...

BlueCrystalMan · 07-06-2004, 12:14 PM

My Koi are still hiding at the bottom... they come out to eat (I have to make sure the food sinks to the bottom), but as soon as I show up, they go hide. I am attributing this to the fact that they are from WalMart and are still shellshocked from people banging on their tank... Any truth to this maybe? Will they eventually trust me and start coming to the surface to eat? Sinking the food is gonna get old soon I think (I have to soak it in water for a half hour, then kind of scrunch it in my hand and throw it in)...

07-03-2004, 09:25 AM	#1
BlueCrystalMan Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Eastern PA Posts: 97	Koi help needed Hello! A couple of weeks ago I completed my pond... Here it is: http://www.bluecrystalsoftware.com/phasefive.htm I added three Koi this week... Not sure it was a good idea, but I got them from WalMart... $4.58 each... I chose WalMart over my local nursery because of the return policy "just in case"... one of them died after two days... he was odd from the first day, and the other two wouldn't play with him. I replaced him yesterday and he got along fine with the other two, then decided to 'hide'... he in at the base of the falls in between two rocks... one of the others has decided to join him... and I haven't seen them since. The remaining one is still trolling the bottom... Anything to be concerned about?[/url]

07-03-2004, 11:49 AM	#3
krap101 Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Roscoe, IL Posts: 3,824 Images: 12	if you dont take them out and they start to decay it will smell. but if you have a really big pond it wont smell as much because the smell is spread out over a larger distance __________________ Wizards first rule-People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true. Wizards second rule-The greatest harm can result from the best intentions. Wizards third rule-Passion rules reason. Wizards fourth rule-There is magic in forgiveness the magic to heal! In the forgiveness you grant, and more so in the forgiveness you receive. Wizards fifth rule-Mind what people do, not only what they say, for deeds will betray a lie. Wizards sixth rule-The only sovereign you can allow to rule you is reason. Wizards seventh rule-Life is the future, not the past Wizards eighth rule-Deserve victory. Wizards ninth rule-Contradictions don't exist, in whole or in part.

07-03-2004, 11:17 PM	#8
krap101 Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Roscoe, IL Posts: 3,824 Images: 12	dang that pond is amazing. how many gallons? __________________ Wizards first rule-People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true. Wizards second rule-The greatest harm can result from the best intentions. Wizards third rule-Passion rules reason. Wizards fourth rule-There is magic in forgiveness the magic to heal! In the forgiveness you grant, and more so in the forgiveness you receive. Wizards fifth rule-Mind what people do, not only what they say, for deeds will betray a lie. Wizards sixth rule-The only sovereign you can allow to rule you is reason. Wizards seventh rule-Life is the future, not the past Wizards eighth rule-Deserve victory. Wizards ninth rule-Contradictions don't exist, in whole or in part.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Koi....	Aquarium Freak	Freshwater & Brackish - General Discussion	7	02-09-2007 10:46 AM
Is this a tumor on my koi?	Gertjan	Freshwater & Brackish - Unhealthy Fish	5	08-21-2006 11:36 AM
Koi	arclad	Freshwater & Brackish - General Discussion	3	06-11-2006 12:50 PM
koi :(	mhaynes01	Ponds/Water Gardens - General Discussion	3	08-04-2004 09:26 AM
Abandoned Koi!	cheezysquirrelz	Ponds/Water Gardens - General Discussion	3	07-13-2004 08:00 PM

07-03-2004, 10:28 AM	#2
BlueCrystalMan Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Eastern PA Posts: 97	One other question... if the two Koi (or even one for that matter) should happen to die in their haven, will the pond smell? They are only about four inches or so at this point...

07-03-2004, 02:14 PM	#4
BlueCrystalMan Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Eastern PA Posts: 97	They came out. Snacked a bit. Then went back in. Guess when they get bigger they won't fit and will hang out in the open. Is it normal for them to hide like that? All three of them seem to be seeking cover...

07-03-2004, 03:41 PM	#5
Guest Posts: n/a	2 things: Yes, its normal for Koi to hide like that, especially untill they feel very secure in their new home. If one dies, smell will be the least of your worries, a dead fish, especially the larger their size, will quickly foul your water, likely leading to more problems. If any of your fish go missing for any length of time, you really need to take the time to find out if it's dead in there and remove it.

07-03-2004, 03:47 PM	#6
Guest Posts: n/a	Bluecrystalman, good looking pond! Couple questions: How deep is it? Hard to tell from the pictures. You need at least 2 feet deep to over-winter your fish in the pond, eastern PA, not too different a climate than me in northern MD. Do you plan on putting more plants in? Some more plants around the edges will look good and help remove nutrients, hopefully keeping algae from becoming a problem. Nice bridge, did you build it yourself, or buy it? just curious, I don't have that kind of carpentry skill.

07-03-2004, 10:02 PM	#7
BlueCrystalMan Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Eastern PA Posts: 97	Had to buy it... I'm a do it yourself kinda guy, but I figured by the time I got done buying wood and spindles and flinging tools out of aggravation, the cost would be the same... The plant shelves are 12" and the main depth is 24"... I was thinking of bringing the Koi in this year for the winter... get them a nice big aquarium. Not sure yet. I have a friend who has a 24" pond a few miles from here and she says her Koi are fine. More plants are coming. Added some floating hyacinths tonight (from my friend's pond)... Yes, I don't like the look of the rubber, and I can't bring the water line any higher on that side because my level or something was off and it is as high as it can go on the other side... Thanks! Oh yeah... my friend Olga also gave me five 'babies'... she thinks three or four are goldfish and one is a koi... Once I put them in the other three came out of hiding and have been pretty active playing with the new ones... I dread fish deaths... it really upsets my eight year old... I love this forum... all of you guys are pretty amazing with your work... great job!

07-03-2004, 11:27 PM	#9
BlueCrystalMan Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Eastern PA Posts: 97	The nursery owner where I got most of the supplies estimates it between 850 and 1000 gallons...

07-06-2004, 12:14 PM	#10
BlueCrystalMan Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Eastern PA Posts: 97	My Koi are still hiding at the bottom... they come out to eat (I have to make sure the food sinks to the bottom), but as soon as I show up, they go hide. I am attributing this to the fact that they are from WalMart and are still shellshocked from people banging on their tank... Any truth to this maybe? Will they eventually trust me and start coming to the surface to eat? Sinking the food is gonna get old soon I think (I have to soak it in water for a half hour, then kind of scrunch it in my hand and throw it in)...