How Many Koi Fish Can You Have In Your Central Florida Pond?

How Many Koi Fish Can You Have In Your Central Florida Pond? There are many variables to this question, aeration, filtration, what you feed your koi and water quality are just a few things to consider when stocking your pond with koi.


Pond fish typically need 10 gallons of water for every inch of their length, but keep in mind they will grow larger over the years. Some pond experts even go so far as to recommend only ½ inch of fish per 10 gallons of water as a maximum stocking density.

Other pond experts measure the square footage of the pond and suggest that you keep the inches of fish slightly under the square footage. In other words an 8'x10' ponds is 80 square feet, or 6-8 10" koi.

Most of us however are over populated including our pond at home so how do we keep our koi happy and healthy?

• Pumps
• Aeration System
• Filtration
• Beneficial Bacteria
• High Quality Koi Food 
• Weekly Pond Maintenance
• Filtration Cleaning every 6 months
• FULL Pond Cleaning Annually (Spring or Fall) 

 

It all begins with water quality, we balance our water in many ways. Proper circulation and aeration are key. In Central Florida our water is warmer year round. The warmer the water the less oxygen there is in the water, the summer months can be very stressful and even deadly for the koi without proper oxygen levels. The pump needs to run 24hrs a day to add oxygen to the pond.  The addition of an aeration system is always recommended.



One of the of the most overlooked additions to aid in healthy water quality is Beneficial Bacteria. Each treatment adds billions of microscopic enzymes that digest the organics or waste in the pond. In Central Florida we add the bacteria weekly minimum. Personally, we add bacteria 3 to 4 times a week into our pond. Why? The more "hungry mouths eating the organic waste the better.

Remember clear water does NOT mean healthy water.




A high quality koi food helps greatly with the water conditions. The more filler in the food the more waste into the pond. A good food is higher in protein and healthy fats with less filler.
What you feed your koi is what you feed your pond.
Call to order today!







Regular pond maintenance to remove debris is a must. The more organics removed from the pond the less chance of poor water quality. 
We spend less than 15 minutes a week maintaining our pond.

The filtration and pond do need more intense twice a year. Every 6 months all filtration gets a deep cleaning and the pond gets cleaned out annually. All koi are removed and the pond is drained and cleaned. Let Pondtastic do the dirty work for you.






So before adding another fish to your koi collection, make sure you have ample space, aeration, filtration and treatments to ensured a happy, healthy home!

How to make your dream a reality?

If you’re considering adding a water feature to your home, CONTACT US for a free phone consultation. We can provide you with details and options for your particular design and budget. 

Pondtastic is Orlando's only Master Certified Aquascape Contractor

Pondtastic serves all Central Florida Counties Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Lake, Polk and Brevard.
       


                                                                                                       Jim and Theresa

Longwood Backyard Retreat

This Longwood, Florida backyard feels like you are on a mountain retreat. It's like you are miles away from the construction on the highway and the traffic from less than a mile away can't even be heard. Instead, you hear birds chirping and the rustling of leaves as squirrels chase each other around the tree.
Even the Florida temperatures are shielded from the large trees that provide cooling shade.
This is paradise!

One must walk the  paths to discover the start of the 35' stream nestled among lush Florida landscaping. This stream features 3 areas where the water crashes and falls into the next elevation change. Water bubbling and gurgling down the stream invites you to sit on a large rock and put your feet in to cool down. Again, making you feel that you are anywhere but in busy Central Florida.

This beautiful Oasis has many features added to make this as low maintenance as possible to maximize time to relax and enjoy the koi and be one with nature.











This ecosystem pond is 11'x16' with a 35' stream, features 2 Aquasurge 5000 pumps, 8.0 skimmer filter with large basket to capture any flowing debris. The start of the waterfall is another filter, a Signature Series 2500 biofalls. Added oxygen is provided by a 40 liter aeration system, oxygen is always great for the koi and it helps slow the growth of algae in the pond.
Algae growth is also slowed by the use of an Aquascape IonGen which does a really nice job combating string algae. The water quality is maintained by adding Beneficial Bacteria weekly is digest the organics in the pond. An ultra violet light was installed to supplement in the hottest part of the summer when we have daily rain and it's 98°. This light will kill any algae that passed in from of it.
Pond lighting was installed so that this paradise can be enjoyed in the evenings also. 

After the pond was constructed Adam with Lanai Hardscape Company added walkways and additional seating areas along with lush Florida landscaping to give this yard a completed look.


The yard has so many great little areas with hidden treasures and the pond has become the focal point of this backyard.





There are so many breathtaking views and vantage points from which to enjoy this pond.
At times this homeowner said "it's difficult to work from my home office, I'm always looking out the office window at the pond"
Entertaining on their Florida room now comes with it's own waterfall soundtrack.
The bistro seating along the stream is a great place to enjoy a refreshing beverage and let the worries of the day seem so far away.


How to make your dream a reality?
If you’re considering adding a water feature to your home, CONTACT US for a free phone consultation. We can provide you with details, options for your particular design and budget.
Pondtastic is Orlando's only Master Certified Aquascape Contractor

Pondtastic serves all Central Florida Counties Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Lake, Polk and Brevard.

Pondtastic Water Gardens of Orlando Installs the Aquascape Pond Ecosystem

Ecosystem Ponds

Ecosystem ponds can be easy to understand, At Pondtastic Water Gardens, we have complete knowledge of what components go into a basic, or advanced functioning ecosystem. An ecosystem pond works with Mother Nature to provide food, shelter, and safety to the wildlife around it. It also provides you with an all-natural, low-maintenance piece of paradise. It’s important to remember, however, that every piece of the ecosystem puzzle must be present in order for a true ecosystem to be in place. Eliminate one of these elements and you’ve got an unbalanced ecosystem that won’t be so low-maintenance anymore. Check out the things you’ll need to get your ecosystem pond fired up:

Circulation System is really just a fancy way of saying “pumps and plumbing.” The proper size pump and pipe diameter are extremely important for the aesthetics of a water feature. More importantly, an efficient circulation system keeps the water moving and provides the necessary oxygen levels for healthy fish and plants.

Proper Filtration System includes the use of both a biological and a mechanical filter. A biological filter provides surface area for beneficial bacteria to colonize and remove excess nutrients from the water. A mechanical filter will not only pre-filter the water and house the pump; it will also skim debris from the water’s surface to prevent the accumulation of organic materials on the pond floor.

Fish are an integral part of any ecosystem. Unfortunately, fish are often seen as creating a maintenance nightmare. Contrary to popular belief, fish will actually reduce pond maintenance, as they graze on string algae and bottom feed from the pond floor.

Aquatic Plants are Mother Nature’s true filters. Plants are great for adding character to a pond by providing color and texture, but from a filtration perspective, they’re second to none. Thriving from the excess nutrients in a pond and depriving algae of its food source, the aquatic plants in a water garden, given proper coverage, are critical for the overall health of the ecosystem.


Rocks, Gravel, and Bacteria have been a controversial element in the hobby for many years. Many enthusiasts have steered away from rocks and gravel out of fear that their system will become a maintenance nightmare. On the contrary, rocks and gravel will not only make your pond look more natural, they will also protect pond liners from UV light degradation and they provide tremendous surface area for beneficial bacteria to break down excess nutrients in the water and dissolved organic debris on the pond floor.

Having all these things in place makes all the difference in the health and success of your water garden. Use them and work with Mother Nature, not against her, for a chemical-free wonderland of water! The truth is that most people opt for the ecosystem way of water gardening because it’s easier and it just makes sense. A low-maintenance ecosystem pond provides you with more free time to enjoy friends and family … while gathered around your pond, of course!

Water Quality ? yeah yeah yeah ... my water is fine !

Lets have a quick discussion about water quality and the effects of poor water quality.

pH- my last blog went into detail about pH but we can cover the basics here.

*pH is the measure of acidity or alkalinity in the water. A healthy pond depends on a balanced pH. The acceptable range for fish ponds is between 6.8 and 7.6.
*low pH is normally caused by lack of oxygen (surface agitation) build up of carbon dioxides and/or too many fish.
*high pH is normally caused by cement or limestone leaching into the water or a high pH water source.

Ammonia- toxic waste from animals ( fish, birds etc )

*a healthy pond has NO detectable ammonia.
*a healthy pond uses a biological filtration to remove the ammonia. By adding a nitrifying bacteria that uses the ammonia and a food source.

Nitrites- toxic solid waste from animals (fish, frogs, birds etc )

*nitrites left unchecked turn into ammonia (see above) and become toxic
*nitrites is converted (by the nitrifying bacteria)into nitrates which is consumed by your plants for food.
*overfeeding, overstocking, dead plant material are some of the more common causes of high nitrite levels.

Phosphate- dead organics in the pond

*most common build up of phosphate comes from use of an algaecide product
*dead algae, fish waste, decaying organics are also among leading causes
*sometimes phosphates are used in our water treatment plants to prevent corrosion of pipes
*a healthy pond should not register any Phosphate level


Soooo do you know more than you did before you read this? I hope so and I hope you have questions...

The key to every item listed here is Beneficial Bacteria. The addition and dosage of a QUALITY beneficial bacteria can make the difference between a healthy pond and a lot of heartache.