Koi Care: How To Prepare Your Pond For The Major Storms
Posted on 06. Jun, 2009 by admin in Aquariums, Fishtanks
In taking care of your Koi, you need to take the necessary precautions when faced with those small and large-scale storms. No matter where you are located, you’d be bound to come into contact with at least one extreme weather condition throughout the year.
We've seen the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina, and this have shown us that having an emergency plan is the best way to avoid the results of total destruction.
Preparing For The Small-Scale Storms:
Preparing for such small-scale storms is quite easier than preparing for the large ones. These few simple steps will guide your own Koi pond through such storms.
1) Stop feeding your Koi. Truth of the matter is that your Koi pond has enough natural sources for food for your Koi to feed on so that they won’t starve for a long time. If your filtration system are undamaged, not feeding your fish will reduce the risk of ammonia problems in the future.
2) Make big water changes to your outdoor pond. If something goes wrong and you are unable to take care of your pond right then and there, your Koi gets to have the privilege of having the freshest water there is. Leave out several inches of water so as to make up for the coming rainfall so that there will be lesser chances of overflowing.
If you got a drainage system, make sure that it’s clear of any debris to make it work very well. If your Koi pond is located at a ground level and you expect high waters to happen, you can add some protection through sand bagging around the area, which will keep your pets confined within the area if the time comes that flooding will occur.
3) Place a net over your outdoor pond in order to ensure its protection from those flying debris. The same net that you used for the fall in order to keep out the leaves is fine, as long as it is secured very well.
4) Remove any object that can blow over, away or fall into the Koi pond. Remember that whatever you can push over, so can the wind! The items that can be blown away by the wind should be removed completely and you can place them inside your home.
The Large-Scale Storms:
Large-scale storms will prevent any preventative measures from being successful. To completely save your pond from the storms, remove all of the fish from the pond itself.
First off, it’s good to have all the needed equipment to transport your fish readily. The equipment that’s needed to bag and transport the fish is really small which can be stored easily when not in use.
You must have the right bags ready to transport your fish. Don't try to use those regular plastic bags or trash bags for this, as these materials aren't designed for the task, and may even damage your pets. Make it a point that the bags that you’ll get are big enough to hold and store your fish.
You’re going to need rubber bands for each of the bag that you buy. Choose those good quality rubber bands, so as not to let the pressure of the water pop the rubber band out as you’re transporting your fish.
You need to have a net that’s big enough to compete with your fish. Although you won’t need the net to pull the fish out of the water, you’ll need it to direct your fish to the place that you want them to go. Take caution as you use the net, as they can cause potential damage to your fish, especially the larger ones.
If you also want to give the best care possible for your fish, use a paint bucket to catch your fish, because it will not harm them unlike the nets. Make sure that your bucket is large enough to contain your fish.
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