Thread: Tap Water

Six weeks ago, I inherited a 24k litre koi pond. Filtration is by way of a Nexus 300 + UV etc. I was told by the previous owner that after cleaning the filter, he always topped up with standard tap water. I continued to do this. Until recently I was cleaning the Nexus using 2 cleans/flushes, twice per week. The fish seem really happy with zero signs of distress. It couldn't really be going any better.


Obviously the last 6 weeks has been spent reading and researching and one thing I see regularly is: Never add tap water straight to your pond. I was considering getting an in-line dechlorinator but the fish seem so happy that I've hesitated. I've not tested the pond water at all, and I've not tested the tap water either.


I'm not sure whether to just carry on as I am or get the dechlorinator. I'd guess there's a few hundred litres of tap water going in per week which is 24k litres is just a couple of %.


So my question to you guys is: Am I putting my fish at risk?

What type of fish do you have in the pond and how long have they been in there.
If they have been in there for some time and the previous owners have been adding water to the pond straight from the tap all that time I think they will be fine.
But if you add any new fish I would seriously consider putting in a dechlorinator.
All so invest in a test kit so you can monitor your water parameters.

if you post your whereabouts someone may advise if water filters are needed. Im in west yorkshire original pond was 22 years old and topped up striaght from the outside tap. also have a look at your local water Co website and find your local water tests.
having said that a three stage water filter system is not dear.

keith

Originally Posted by Martin59

What type of fish do you have in the pond and how long have they been in there.......

But if you add any new fish I would seriously consider putting in a dechlorinator.
All so invest in a test kit so you can monitor your water parameters.

Twelve Koi, 4 ghosties, and a grass carp. Several of them have been in there years (~20) and are big, but 5 of the Koi have have only been in a couple of years. They all seem fine.
Can you recommend a test kit that won't break the bank?

Originally Posted by rolo

if you post your whereabouts someone may advise if water filters are needed. Im in west yorkshire original pond was 22 years old and topped up striaght from the outside tap. also have a look at your local water Co website and find your local water tests.
having said that a three stage water filter system is not dear.

keith

Northants. I checked the report for my postcode online and it states free chlorine up to 0.08 ppm and total chlorine up to 1.15 ppm. It also says they "add a small amount of ammonia in this process which means your drinking water supply is chloraminated". It gives a result for Ammonium of up to 0.242 ppm.

Are there any guidelines as to what is tolerable for koi?

look at mankey sanke posts every thing will be explianed you'll need a big cup of tea and few biscuits but this is the man too listen too.
i use API master kit due too M.S . you could also think about a Ph probe and thermometer gives you an instant heads up if something is going on .my thermometer works off two button batteries and probe either 240v or batteries and a bag of sodium bi carb.
i can dig out where i bought them if your interested.

keith

Originally Posted by rolo

look at mankey sanke posts every thing will be explianed you'll need a big cup of tea and few biscuits but this is the man too listen too.
i use API master kit due too M.S . you could also think about a Ph probe and thermometer gives you an instant heads up if something is going on .my thermometer works off two button batteries and probe either 240v or batteries and a bag of sodium bi carb.
i can dig out where i bought them if your interested.

keith

I can drink tea by the pint so sounds good to me.

I have a thermometer and a DO meter so I'll add to that with the API kit. Cheers for the feedback

Originally Posted by Manky Sanke

"Both chlorine and chloramine are poisonous to koi and there is no safe level of a poison in a koi pond."

Fair point. Looks like I have work to do.

Morning All,

I have been using sodium thiosulphate for 15 to 20 years following the advice of Manky (I'm sure Mr. Sanke must have been a teenager then ) However something I learned back then was that chlorine can do as much damage to the filters as to the fish, by killing off the bacteria. For this reason whilst refilling the pond I always switch off the filters and add the diluted SS by way of adding1 third around the pond and the remaining straight into the water flow, then switching the filters back on 10 to 15 minutes later. This method seems to work for me.

Take care,
Brian.

For anyone interested I purchased and fit a PondXpert in-line dechlorinator at the weekend. Price was very reasonable considering it should last 2 or 3 years.

The API master kit is ordered so if I do come up against any issues I should get the heads-up in good time.

Thanks all for the feedback.