You will need to use a test kit to determine if all levels in the nitrogen cycle are where they should be. When using the test kit you must be sure that you don't cause it to be contaminated. To avoid this you must do the following.
• Use clean equipment and a bottle with a dispenser
• Put the bottle in the water and cap it underwater
• Do not leave it in sunlight
• Measure exactly as required
• Finish within 2-10 minutes
• Follow directions exactly
• Put the bottle in the water and cap it underwater
• Do not leave it in sunlight
• Measure exactly as required
• Finish within 2-10 minutes
• Follow directions exactly
Now that you've completed the test, review the results. Acceptable results are:
• Ammonia-- Koi can tolerate a level of 1 ppm (parts per million) with water temperature at 70 degrees. The ideal level is zero.
• A pH reading of 7-8.5 is normal. Acceptable would be in the range of 6-9.
• Nitrite levels should be zero. Readings can increase when adding a lot of fish or when temperatures rise. Fish activity may increase faster than the bacteria activity.
• Nitrate levels will be 50-100 ppm. The acceptable range is up to 200 ppm but below 100 is best.
• KH (Carbon Hardness) result should be above 80 ppm.
• Carbon Dioxide should be saturated in water at.5 ppm.
• A pH reading of 7-8.5 is normal. Acceptable would be in the range of 6-9.
• Nitrite levels should be zero. Readings can increase when adding a lot of fish or when temperatures rise. Fish activity may increase faster than the bacteria activity.
• Nitrate levels will be 50-100 ppm. The acceptable range is up to 200 ppm but below 100 is best.
• KH (Carbon Hardness) result should be above 80 ppm.
• Carbon Dioxide should be saturated in water at.5 ppm.
What should you do if the readings are not in the acceptable range?
• Ammonia levels can be reduced by cleaning out any decaying matter, clean the filter so that it can process more of the fish waste, and reduce the fish population. To neutralize the ammonia, change the water or add an ammonia blocker. Stop feeding your fish until levels are back to zero.
• If the nitrite levels are high it may be an indication that the filter isn't able to handle the amount of waste. You will need to cut down on feeding, reduce fish load and possibly increase the biological filtration. The immediate steps to take will be to add air and make a water change. Water change should be 10% for a 1 ppm level, 25% for a 1-2 ppm level, and 50% for any levels higher than 2 ppm. You will need to stop feeding the fish and stop UV filter use. Non-iodized salt will need to be added to the water. If the level is 1-2 ppm then add 2 pounds of pond salt for every hundred gallons of water and 3 pounds of salt for readings over 2 ppm. Repeat again if after 24 hours levels are still not right. If levels still aren't better or are 4 ppm or greater you should move your fish to a quarantine tank.
• To increase your KH levels add baking soda (sodium bicarbonate).
• Nitrate levels can be corrected by adding plants. The plants absorb and metabolize most of the nitrates as a food source.
• If carbon dioxide is high, add aeration such as fountains or waterfalls.
• If the pH level is too high, make a partial water change with acidic water. Check your pond to see what might be raising the pH level. Should the level be too low, add tap water or a source of lime (crushed shells or limestone chipping).
Keeping everything at acceptable levels can seem pretty overwhelming. If you have an appropriate pond filtration system for your waterfall pond and you have the right amount of fish that you feed properly you shouldn't have any major issues. Enjoy your Koi!
Vickie Talley
Knight Enterprises LLC
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