My pond is 12' X 6' X 4' deep - approximately 1800 gallons. I am running two in pond pumps (Oase) 10 and 12 thousand litres per hour to two comercially produced filters (Oase)and a protien extractor. The inlet and returns to the filters, set up a circular flow around the pond (hope explained ok). The 12 K pump has it's inlet supplied bu a skimmer and draws from the bottom, as well. The pond is heated by a 3kw heater and is covered in the winter with a minimum tempreature of 12 deg C. The pond was built in April 2004 and has almost done 1 yr. I have 13 koi (bought at 6 inches between June and Augut) who are now between 12 and 15 inches and 1 gold fish, 1 shubunken and 2 tench (all 4 were pond starters - lost 3 gold fish and 3 shubunkin when pond cycled - hole in the side and dropsy). I change approximately 3-400 gallons weekly (every Sat am. - even across the winter)and add Clay, filter bacteria and Pro 100 . PH 7.8, NH2 0, NH3 50 mg/ltr, Ammonia 0. I vac the pond twice a year - just prior to winter and then again in spring.
What is the long term danger/problem with not having built the pond with bottom drains and multi stage filters? Can I add two more koi to the pond or has it reached its limit? Am I changing too much water?
Thanks
Posted on Apr 6, 2005, 6:57 AM from IP address 217.44.94.154