Calling Whitby!

[BjornTobyStomped]

Is it too early to be using medizin P and Stearezin P in the pond?

[Whitbywoof]

I wouldn't add any chemicals until we're clear of possible frosts.
In fact, I wouldn't add any at all unless I'm 100% certain of a specific problem and cure.

In my first year or two of koi ownership I lost a fair few fish from misdiagnosis and treatment. Dosing is difficult too if you don't have a regular shaped pond.

I then had some freak loses which could only be attributed to pollution from crop spraying. It was upsetting, but a one-off; but I visited a koi husbandry expert for advice at the time - it was he who identified the cause as crop spray pollution.

On his advice, I installed some air stones as the additional oxygen improves the overall health of the pond. That was probably five years ago and I haven't used a single chemical since and have only lost one fish to disease (although a few to the heron I think!)

My experience seems to suggest that as long as the filtration is adequate and properly maintained, it's best to let nature take its course.

The only additive I intend to use this year is the barley straw extract mentioned in my other pond post.

[BjornTobyStomped]

whitbywoof said:

I wouldn't add any chemicals until we're clear of possible frosts.
In fact, I wouldn't add any at all unless I'm 100% certain of a specific problem and cure.

In my first year or two of koi ownership I lost a fair few fish from misdiagnosis and treatment. Dosing is difficult too if you don't have a regular shaped pond.

I then had some freak loses which could only be attributed to pollution from crop spraying. It was upsetting, but a one-off; but I visited a koi husbandry expert for advice at the time - it was he who identified the cause as crop spray pollution.

On his advice, I installed some air stones as the additional oxygen improves the overall health of the pond. That was probably five years ago and I haven't used a single chemical since and have only lost one fish to disease (although a few to the heron I think!)

My experience seems to suggest that as long as the filtration is adequate and properly maintained, it's best to let nature take its course.

The only additive I intend to use this year is the barley straw extract mentioned in my other pond post.

Thanks Whitby, I've just renewed the UV lamp so that should put paid to some of the nasties.

I've also started dredging the bottom of the pond but then the stupid rain came and put a stop to that.

I'm going to get the pond hoover on it as soon as the weather behaves itself and put some new pond weed in.

[BjornTobyStomped]

Whitby, one of my fish has a strange looking tail fin, just before the fin is a lump to the right of the fin; I'm not sure what it is it doesnt look sore or open.

Yours absolutely clueless

Toby

[Tigger]

Btw friends of mine sell pond pumps if you need any. I can send you a pm with their details if you like. (I sharn't post it here so as not to be a spammer)