koi varieties japanese koi fish explained quality japan breeders

koi varieties japanese koi fish explained quality japan breeders: "It cannot be denied that 'Japanese style' shows are preferable for viewing the koi, judging them and teaching/learning more about appreciation. Unfortunately there are very real dangers to the koi, especially in the light of recent disease outbreaks like Koi Herpes Virus (KHV), which is easily transmitted and can be rapidly fatal. It would seem from the literature that even thoroughly quarantined koi that appear healthy, can still harbour this virus."

koi varieties japanese koi fish explained quality japan breeders

koi varieties japanese koi fish explained quality japan breeders: "Kohaku



Kohaku are arguably one of the favourite if not the most popular Koi kept in the hobby today. The very reason for this is not hard to fathom - a good quality Kohaku with crisp clean red (hi) patterns on a snow white body background makes for a stunning sight, and unusual for any fish."

koi varieties japanese koi fish explained quality japan breeders

koi varieties japanese koi fish explained quality japan breeders: "This site has as it's primary aim to bring you information about Koi varieties. This is a site that explains how and why Koi are valued both in monetary terms and in appreciation aspects. It serves as a beginning for novices and as a service for experienced Koi keepers"

Over-wintering pond fish

Over-wintering pond fish: "As the water cools, pond fish require less protein in their diet. When koi and goldfish are fed high-protein food in cool water, the excess protein is excreted as ammonia from the gills. The microscopic organisms that make up the biological filter (and consume ammonia) also slow down in cooler water.
Improper seasonal feeding can lead to a build-up of toxic ammonia, which stresses fish and reduces their winter survivability. When the water temperature drops to approximately 65� F, start feeding with Spring & Autumn Pond Food. This type of fish food is better suited for the dietary requirements of pond fish in cool water and won’t pollute the water with excess ammonia. Some water gardeners continue to feed their fish until they no longer come to the surface. I stop feeding my pond fish when the water falls below 42� F. "

air oxygen aeration koi fish ponds air pumps air lines

air oxygen aeration koi fish ponds air pumps air lines: "Seriously, it will come as no surprise to regular readers to hear that if there is just one message above all others that we would like to be remembered for, it’s highlighting the role of dissolved oxygen in successful Koi keeping. There can be little debate that of all elements available to us, oxygen is not just the most effective but also the easiest to deploy and increase, and, it also has just about the shortest downside list on the planet!

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settlement chambers settelment

settlement chambers settelment


Pond water will flow from the bottom drains of the pond up the pipes in the direction of the red arrow as shown.
An ideal settlement chamber will be sloped from shallow to deep. The bottom drains will all face upwards and be located in the deep end of the settlement chamber, whilst at the opposite side on the shallow end of the chamber the exit pipe that feeds the primary mechanical filter stage will be located.


Being located higher than the bottom drain pipes increases the likelihood of the solids entering into the settlement chamber being collected in the deep end.


And YES, this does mean you need a waste flush valve located somewhere near the deep end of the settlement chamber so that you can flush all these nasty solids straight out and off to waste.

settlement chambers for koi ponds

Settlement chambers are useful, albeit somewhat ugly things. Thankfully they can be easily hidden however.

Settlement chambers - essential ...

What is a settlement chamber?

Click on the picture above for an enlargement...

We have seen that bottom drains are essential in a Koi pond. We have also seen that 110 mm piping is the way to go on bottom drains and that we don't want pumps in the water path before mechanical filtration takes place.
A settlement chamber is a smallish concrete chamber that has the 110 mm bottom drain pipes entering the bottom of the chamber vertically.

http://www.happykoi.co.za/how_to_build_a_koi_pond_part_4_settlement_chambers.htm