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Pond chemicals are best used in koi ponds when a problem has been detected, and not as a routine habit. Medications are no substitute for proper management, and there is no such thing as a miracle cure. Below are some tips that can help you safely use pond chemicals.
Always Calculate The Pond Gallons In Advance
This is extremely important, since overdosing may kill your koi while too little medication won’t work. Read the labeling and follow the instructions to the letter. Most medications have a dose level which is determined by its concentration, and this can vary depending on the brand. For example, formalin or malachite green both use variable formulations, which means that applying generic doses might not always be a good idea.
Test The Pond Water Before Adding Medication
All the water parameters should be normal prior to adding medication. If nitrite or ammonia is present, this means the water has become polluted and adding chemicals will actually make things worse. Never perform treatment in a pond where the pH is fluctuating, otherwise all your koi could perish. Once treatment is complete, test the water again to ensure the filter remains biologically effective.
Deactivate The UV Lights And Check The Oxygen Levels
The UV lights should always be deactivated prior to adding pond chemicals, since it can reduce their effectiveness. It is also essential to check the oxygen levels. The amount of dissolved oxygen within the pond will fall whenever the temperature of the water rises, and the presence of chemicals will reduce this further. That being said, it is best not to perform treatment on hot days.
Do Not Shutoff Your Pond Filtration During Treatment
Some pond owners think that shutting off their filtration unit while applying medication is a good idea since it will stop the filtration biology loss which results from the chemical action. However, the problem with doing this is that there could be consequences with regard to the filter die-back since the reduced oxygen supply could equal the losses which are caused by the chemical itself.
Some Pond Chemicals Are Toxic To People
A lot of the products which are used to treat fish are toxic to people. This is why when applying them you should always wear disposable gloves and clothing which protects your skin and eyes. Keep children and pets away from these chemicals and anyone that has asthma or who is worried about respiratory issues should consider wearing a mask, especially when they handle formalin or powder products. When placed in storage for long periods of time some pond products may lose their effectiveness, so check the expiration dates and use test kits as needed.
Allow Enough Time For Chemicals To Work
Once you’ve applied the chemical, you want to allow enough time to pass before applying another dose. For the majority of pond products, this time span will range from 3 to 7 days. Do not mix different products together unless you are certain the combination is safe.
