| A growing number of people are looking into Koi carp | | | | water systems viable for fish growth is difficult |
| ponds as a way to add a bit of flavour and beauty | | | | especially without the use of artificial aids such as a |
| to their backyards and their homes. Koi and carp | | | | filtration system. Also, you may want purely Koi carp |
| kept in the same pond is generally a great option for | | | | ponds that share the water with no other fish, |
| keeping fish with variety and yet harmony, since the | | | | especially if you are looking to grow the big Koi which |
| first Koi fish that were kept in the imperial palaces in | | | | need plenty of water by themselves. For this, use |
| china were bred from a variety of coloured carp | | | | heavy duty filtration systems. |
| fishes. Before creating the Koi carp ponds, here is the | | | | Heater |
| checklist of the basics that you need to know. | | | | Both Koi and carp are hardy fish varieties that can |
| Aeration | | | | tolerate cold waters. If you live in cold climate areas, |
| You may have already seen a park somewhere with | | | | however, and are importing Koi from warmer |
| Koi carp ponds. Some of these may be kept as is, or | | | | weathers, investing in heaters is the best way to |
| without additional filtration and aeration systems. If | | | | ensure that you provide your fish the best living |
| you plan to keep Koi for a hobby, however, and | | | | conditions. Ideally, the water should have a |
| want to breed them in the future and provide the | | | | temperature of about 77 degrees Fahrenheit. For |
| best living conditions, it is essential that you install a | | | | indoor glass or acrylic aquariums, a hot bulb may |
| heavy duty aeration system in the pond. This is | | | | suffice. For ponds, however, you may need to use |
| especially important when using tank ponds, as | | | | much more complex heating systems that involve |
| opposed to ponds that have been built into the | | | | pumping in modulated levels of heated water. |
| ground. Ground based ponds usually foster the | | | | Complement this by position the pond in areas that |
| growth of beneficial micro-organisms such as plankton | | | | are exposed to the sun. |
| and algae that provide the water with air. For tank | | | | Test kits |
| ponds, however, micro-organisms do not grow as | | | | Finally, it is also important to prepare yourself with |
| quickly and will require the help of aeration systems. | | | | test kits for the Koi carp ponds that will measure the |
| Filtration | | | | pH, ammonia, and nitrite levels in the water. Because |
| Equally important is the use of filtration. One of the | | | | your fish will eat, move, and breathe in water, it is |
| best ways of filtrating any aquarium or pond is by | | | | essential to maintain the best balance of acid and |
| introducing a variety of fish, shellfish, and water | | | | nitrites in the water. Ammonia is an indicator of |
| scavengers to create a natural equilibrium in the pond. | | | | waste levels in the water, and should also be |
| In most instances, however, this requires much | | | | checked to see if you need a water change in the |
| experience and background study, since keeping | | | | Koi carp ponds anytime soon. |