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I’ve had a koi pon built for a longtime. I finally was able to get the right filter and my husband is picking up the fish next week. The pong is now really dirty and I need to know how to clean it. I just installed the filter. It helped a bit, but it is still really gross! This seems like an overwhelming task. Any tips? Also, where can I get dechlorinator for the water?
Your question really doesn’t specify what the problem is that’s making the pond dirty. You can but nest to remove fallen leaves and other debris that gets blown in to the pond. And since a pond is more than likely a closed environment just like an aquarium, you should do partial water changes to remove any nutrients that are built up (from decaying vegetation/leaves, planting media, fish poop [when you get the fish]). You can do this a number of ways, from using a garden hose as a siphon (you just need to have a lower spot to run the water to), to motor-powered pumps to draw the water and wastes out.
If the problem is algae, you can control this by reducing the nutrient levels in the pond through water changes, but also by controlling the amount of light your pond receives. Adding floating plants or plants with floating leaves will shade the algae so it doesn’t get as much light for photosynthesis, and it also provides some shade and hiding places for your fish. They also help to keep the water temperature cooler because of the shade they provide. Adding barley hay to the pond will help control new algae, but you may have to physically remove algae growing on the walls of the pond yourself. If the algae is free-floating (green water), an ultraviolet sterilizer can help.
You should be able to get a dechlorinator at any pet supply or pond supply store (also check at garden centers that carry pond supplies). But first, be sure that what your local water company uses to treat your water is chlorine, not chloramine.
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/PondSubWebInd…
http://www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/chlor.h…
http://americanaquariumproducts.com/Aqua…
http://aginfo.psu.edu/news/2002/8/barley…
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We’ve had a Koi pond in our backyard since 2000. This year our pond looks absolutely wonderful. This spring we drained our pond and hosed it down, added new water. I have been using Liquid Barley Extract regularly, Aquaclear SAB (string algae buster) and Aquaclear Dry Bacteria. This is the best our pond has ever looked. We also purchased a PondoVac 3 that we use weekly to vacuum any debris that may accumulate on the bottom of the pond. The PondoVac 3 vacuums the pond and dispenses it out a hose in the back, so it is all done in one step. Our Koi are really getting large, they are approximately 24″ long now and seem to be really healthy. Hope this helps with your pond.