Bio-Load: 

Every pond has a maximum number of fish / inches of fish its system can sustain. Bio-Load is a term used for fish waste. A high bio-load can also increase algae growth due to increased nitrate production.

We have included a formula for you to use, to get a better understanding of how many fish your own pond can sustain;

Bio-Load Formula:

a.) Length x Width x Depth x 7.48 = Total Number of Gallons of Water in your Pond

b.)Divide the Total Number of Gallons by Ten(10) = Total Number of Inches of Fish your Pond can Support

Example:

A 6' x 8' Pond with a normal depth of 2' x 7.48 = 718 Gallons of Water

718 Gallons of Water ÷ 10 = 71.8 Inches of Fish that a 6' x 8' Pond can sustain.

**Keep in mind your fish will grow, Allow enough room for healthy growth**

Water Parameters: As always there should be no Ammonia present in your pond. Your pH should remain over 7.2. Water temperature will of course change with the season . .there are a few guidelines to follow when it comes to temperature changes and your pond;

• When it reaches 50'F for at least 3-days, you should begin feeding your koi a wheat-germ based food. At this time we also recommend adding chemical media (ex. carbon), and turning on U.V. Sterilizers (if applicable).
  
  
• When temperatures reach 60'F we will normally begin to add plants, fertilizers, and algaecides to control algae blooms.
  
  
• At 70'F this is when we like to add any new fish or invertebrates into your pond!!!
  (When temperatures are between 60'F - 70'F you should use caution if adding new fish/invertebrates).

Spring-Time/ Summer Maintenance: To keep on top of your pond throughout its thriving months we recommend a few tips to keep your pond running smoothly;

1.) Cleaning out your Debris Net Once a Week
2.) Filter Pads should be checked at least Once a Month, and can be rinsed (NOT ALL Pads at the same time, or this will result in a loss of your good bacteria)
3.) Regular bacteria treatments are necessary to help maintain the stability of the ecosystem.
4.) Regular dosing of algaecides will also help to minimize algae blooms.
5.) **Recommended - the Addition of Aquatic Plants!!! 

**Unfortunately, during the spring is when you can experience seasonal fish loss due to poor water conditions. Proper Spring-Clean Outs and maintenance are essential at this time to control all the bacteria, and algae that comes to life!!!

Aquatic Plants: Aquatic Plants play a major role in maintaining the natural ecosystem of your pond. They provide valuable biological filtration by removing nitrogen, ammonia, and nitrates from the water. For algae control it is recommended to cover 50% - 65% of the ponds surface with assorted plants for shade. Aquatic plants such as; lilies, water hyacinths, and water lettuce work great to cover surface area. They will also feed off the excess nutrients in the water. As for your fish; Aquatic plants provide them with food, shade, and protection. Last but not least, Aquatic plants provide you with a way to soften the edges of your pond, keeping your look natural, and allowing your water feature to blend into your surrounding landscape!!!

We will have a number of varieties of aquatic plants available to you for delivery, or you can stop by our new retail location and choose from our selection!! We are located within:

Sunshine Gardens and Nursery 21 Ruland Rd. Melville, NY 11747
(Open Daily till 5 pm) (Located across from Costco)

Guide to Algae: Algae is a natural part of any pond ecosystem. Like fine wine, ponds mature with age, so don't be surprised or concerned if a new pond has an instant algae problem. Once your Bacteria, Fish and Plants have been established, the algae will decrease as well as the need/frequency of maintenance. It is common for this algae cycle to occur yearly. Algae will feed off of the excess nutrients found in water. Excess nutrients come from a variety of sources such as; fish waste, decomposing organic debris, excess fish food, and some fertilizers. The best way to control algae is naturally, by having sufficient aquatic plants to absorb the nutrients that algae feeds on. Your aquatic plants should thrive leaving you with clear water and less use of algaecides. 

U.V. Sterilizers are another way to help with algae and disease. A U.V. Sterilizer kills free floating algae, and can be added as an extra measure for algae control.

Fish Care: As a general rule you should either have a Goldfish (comets, shubunkins, sarasas, etc) - OR - a Koi pond - the idea is not to combine the two. Both can survive in 35'F - 86'F water temperatures, and throughout the winter months when the pond has been properly winterized.

Feeding Instructions: Generally, it is good to feed your fish ONCE a day . .twice if you'd like (in smaller portions), but your fish can be fed every other day. They should be fed, only what they can consume in a couple of minutes. We recommend feeding in the same area, away from your skimmer box. Any food not consumed should be removed to prevent polluting the water which can lower the pH and raise ammonia and nitrate levels. Keep in mind, the more you feed the more fish waste there will be - Keeping up with water conditions is extremely important to your fish's health. Goldfish can be fed flake food to smaller/large pellet type food designed for goldfish. Koi will eat pellet food (formulated for koi), krill, as well as a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables (ie-romaine lettuce, peas, and grapefruit). When incorporating new food into your koi's diet, it must be done gradually, once you have established a relationship with your fish. As always, remember to discard of any uneaten food left to prevent excess waste!

At this time of year (once temperature reaches 55'F) a low- temperature wheat-germ based food should be fed. It is very important not to feed your fish too early as this can lead to digestion problems and possible death. As the season progresses and the temperature reaches 65'F - 70'F, you can discontinue use of Low-Temp foods, and start feeding a summer food.

Symptoms or Signs of Sickness: Gasping for air, reddening of the fins, cotton-like growths, open sores or lesions, small white spots all over the fish, fish scratching up against rocks, Y-shaped worms, pop eye, fin or tail rot, etc. A key factor to the longevity of your pond fish is observation. In general, fish can get four types of infections; parasitic, bacterial, fungal and viral. Parasites are the most common that fish can get. They reproduce very fast and often cause serious problems if not caught early-on. 

At the first signs of Symptoms Please Call our Office @ (516) 937-3474 and we can send a technician out within 24 hours.

Aquascapes by The Fish Guy, Inc. will be carrying an Assortment of Premium Quality Koi at: Sunshine Gardens and Nursery 21 Ruland Rd Melville, NY 11747 (Open Daily till 5pm)

Our Koi and Aquatic Plants are available seasonally (starting in April/May)
We can also e-mail pictures of our fish and plants available to you for drop-off service.