Koi Supplies - 8 Things that Every Koi Pond Owner Needs

Owning a koi pond can be a very satisfying and relaxing hobby. To ensure that your pond remains in great shape and your koi healthy, there are certain koi supplies you will need to maintain this vibrant but fragile environment.

Below are 8 koi supplies that very koi pond owner will need.

Freshwater filter-While open waters act as filters for fish waste and other contaminants, a small koi pond will need the addition of a quality filter to do this job. The filter will act to remove solid fish waste which can then be removed and cleaned regularly so that this waste does not degrade the water environment. In addition, a quality koi pond filter will include a biological component as well. This feature introduces certain types of bacteria that will break down the hazardous remnants of the solid waste that can harm the fish if they build up.

Pond pump - A good filter is almost useless without a good pump. The pump will work to force the water through the filter to aid in removing the fish waste and other unwanted particles.

Fountain - A fountain will certainly add to the beauty and enjoyment of a koi pond but this valuable koi supply actually adds to the health of the fish as well. Because fish breathe oxygen through the water, a fountain will act to aerate the water and add continual fresh supplies of oxygen for the koi.

Proper pond depth - While proper pond depth does not seem to qualify in a category of koi supplies, it is extremely important to the health and safety of your koi fish. Koi need ponds with a depth of at least 3 feet for several reasons. For one, the fish themselves can grow up to thirty six inches and in some cases even more. If the pond is not deep enough, it will stunt the fish's growth and can harm their development in other ways. Secondly, the depth of the pond will act to protect the koi as well. Because of the beautiful ornate coloring of the koi, many large predator birds try to attach the fish. The koi can move to deeper waters if the birds of prey are about.

Dechlorinator - This koi supply is crucial for those that choose to fill their ponds with tap water or water that may contain chlorine or other contaminants. This will help to keep the ph level in the water at the levels needed to sustain healthy fish.

Pond salt or baking soda - In addition to the dechlorinator, pond salt or baking soda can be added to the water to normalize ph levels or levels of nitrates in the water.

Water test kit - The water test kit will allow you to test the levels of chemicals in the water on a regular basis to ensure healthy levels. Another essential piece of your koi supply kit.

Safety net - Some koi owners choose to place nets over the top of their pond. While not an essential koi supply, safety nets can help to keep predators away from the fish as well as keep out unwanted items such as leaves and sticks.

Koi pellets - Happy fish are well fed fish. Koi fish do eat a variety of foods, but koi pellets are a type of fish food specially designed for the diets of koi. They contain the proper balance of nutrients to keep the fishy healthy and their colors vibrant.

While just a partial list of koi supplies available on the market, we hope this list has been a useful in helping you understand what items that you may need if you decide to create your own koi pond.