The problem with starting koi ponds with a few goldfish to kick start the filters is the possibility that when you do eventually add the Koi, they could be exposed to a pathogen introduced into the pond by the goldfish. Seeding the filters is Ok if it's from your own back yard but I would most certainly not consider using media from anybody elses pond for the same reason. The koi will be "used" to the pathogens at the dealers premises of course. Why take a risk like this when all that is needed is monitoring and control whilst the filters mature?
You can protect your Koi from ammonia by adding amolock or a similar ammonia binder. Nitrite won't shown up until the bacteria that convert ammonia to nitrite have populated your filters. You can protect against Nitrite by adding salt to the pond at 0.1% per day for three days to reach 0.3% and by making partial water changes.
Posted on Apr 14, 2005, 1:45 AM from IP address 213.120.101.21