Abandoned Koi

[lighty]

Hi all, we have recently moved into a house which has a large pond (approx 8ft long 5ft wide and 3 deep) - and we have found about 15 koi carp in it. Water level was very low (1 ft) we topped it up to 3ft with de-chlorinated water approx 4 months ago. Since then it has got more and more murky. We have taken advice from a local shop (replaced uv filter, stopped feeding fish, now running pump 24/7, new filter/sponge). At this time 2-3 weeks ago, we were advised that as pump had been off overnight all the bacteria would have died, and so should take opportunity to clean filter out (was full of sludge). We do not do any 'maintenance' on a weekly/monthly basis.

The water has started to get worse - large bubbles and foam on surface, and water is grey.

What can we do?! gf will be most upset if we come home to 15 floaters!

Thanks Tom

 

[Mikaila31]

Does the pond have a plastic liner? If it does, do you have any idea of how much debris is at the bottom of the pond?
Pics of the pond and filter would also be helpful.

Cheers,
Mikaila31

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

I would advise buying accurate water quality test kits for ammonia, nitrites, nitrates and ph and post the results here so we can see what is going on in your water quality. How larger are these koi roughly and what are you feeding them and how much at the moment?

 

[black angel]

Id say too many koi in too little space.
We dont know the size of filter and pump either.
Might be an idea to get a large holding vat, drain the pond, clear it out and get rid of most of the fish as that size pond isnt really comfortable for more than 1 koi or 5 goldfish.

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Yeah i agree with black angel, it is very overstocked pond, but finding out what state the water quality is in right now is the priority as that will give us a good idea of how many fish need to be rehomed how quickly to sort out the water quality problems alone .