| When browsing through your local fish store's | | | | circulation. A lot of people have the perception |
| medicine and testing aisle, you probably won't find | | | | that air bubbles or air stones will provide sufficient |
| a test for oxygen. The importance of sufficient | | | | oxygen. While these air systems help, it's not the |
| oxygen in your pond water is often understated, | | | | action of the air bubbles rising from the bottom |
| and misunderstood. While most fish owners | | | | that provides oxygen. Instead, it's the breaking of |
| understand the importance of low nitrates, did | | | | the surface of the water that allows oxygen |
| you know that low oxygen levels is one of the | | | | exchange. When you have sufficient movement |
| most lethal silent killers in the fish hobby? | | | | across the surface of the water, your oxygen |
| The most common cause of low oxygen levels in | | | | levels will rise. |
| a Koi pond is the overuse of algaecide. When it | | | | When treating for algae, this becomes even more |
| comes to treating algae with chemicals, more is | | | | important. Add an extra power-head to your |
| NOT always better. In fact, as algae die off, | | | | pond when you use chemicals such as algaecide. |
| oxygen levels in your water plummet. Most | | | | Point the power-head up so you have plenty of |
| experienced aquarium and pond hobbyists can | | | | surface movement. This simple step prevents the |
| attest to the horror of treating for algae and | | | | tragedy of losing your precious Koi to something |
| finding your entire fish stock dead within an hour | | | | preventable as low oxygen levels in your water. |
| from asphyxiation. | | | | Another commonly overlooked tool in increasing |
| Unlike nitrite, nitrate and metal poisoning, there's | | | | oxygen level is plants. Plants also help to naturally |
| no treatment for low oxygen levels once the fish | | | | control algae! When you add plants to your pond, |
| begin to starve for air and experience stress. It | | | | the plants compete with microbial algae cells for |
| can kill within an hour, and if you don't catch it | | | | carbon dioxide consumption. Keeping your pond at |
| quickly (i.e. within the first 10 minutes), your fish | | | | least 1/3 covered in plants keeps your water |
| usually have no chance of recovery. Fish suffering | | | | clear and algae free. Best of all, plants help release |
| from low oxygen levels will start to linger at the | | | | oxygen into the water, which keeps your levels in |
| surface of the water, usually gasping for air. After | | | | balance. A great alternative to potted pond plants |
| the first 5-10 minutes, the fish will lose control of | | | | are floating plants such as water hyacinth or |
| their swim bladder and begin to struggle to stay | | | | water cabbage. The most successful ponds |
| upright. Within the next 45 minutes or so, internal | | | | contain lots of plants, which keep your water and |
| damage to the vital organs occurs. Literally, the | | | | your fish healthy. |
| fish shuts down, fails to breath and quickly dies. | | | | Remember to conduct regular water changes for |
| For every pond owner with Koi, preserving | | | | your pond, depending on your bio-load. Koi are |
| oxygen levels can be very challenging. You have a | | | | messy fish, and if you have a fully stocked pond, |
| very large volume of water, and if you've planned | | | | you should aim for one 25% change per week. |
| it your pond correctly, you have several deep | | | | Water changes replenish oxygen and vital buffers |
| pockets of water. You're more likely to struggle | | | | that help keep your water stable. There's nothing |
| with oxygen levels in your pond true if you're | | | | more helpful than regular water changes for your |
| establishing a new system, or struggling with algae | | | | pond. Remember- if you take care of your water, |
| in an existing one. Luckily there are some easy | | | | your fish will generally take care of themselves |
| inexpensive ways to keep oxygen level high in | | | | because they will have a naturally supporting |
| your pond to keep your fish happy and healthy. | | | | environment that fosters health. |
| The first tool to keep oxygen levels high is | | | | |