How to Protect Your Koi Fish from Predators  Many of us invest in a water garden or pond because we love the beauty of nature. Especially the wonders of koi fish. Their majestic colors and friendly disposition are admired by millions around the world. To have something so treasured near our very homes is incredible. Unfortunately, humans aren’t the only ones to see the value in koi.  Many types of predators see koi as a food source. It’s a large fish, and when it is confined to a pond, it can be easy to catch. Without the proper forms of protection and preparation, koi can be vulnerable.  Afte ..read more

Find Out Where Coy Fish Came From (And How To Spell It Right) It sounds like “coy,” but it’s actually called koi fish. “Koi” has the same phonetic sounds you would hear from saying “coy”.  Koi fish are beautiful creatures filled with wonder and excitement. Cultures all around the world appreciate the marvelous fish. It has become a universal symbol of peace.  What is Koi?  Koi, or nishikigoi, are beautiful fish that have striking, decorative colors. They are freshwater fish known for the most beautiful addition to a pond or water garden. They are some of the most treasured, remarkable fish in ..read more

The Importance of Carbonate Hardness (KH) in your KOI Pond The most overlooked, yet most important water parameter of your KOI Pond is KH.  KH is the measure of the Carbonate Hardness in your Pond.  Carbonate Hardness is simply the amount of Carlcium Carbonate in our ponds. Why is it important to have a sufficient amount of Calcium Carbonate in your pond??  The nitrifying bacteria that remove harmful Ammonia and Nitrite from your water cannot survive without it!!  So to put it simply No Calcium Carbonate means NO BIOLOGICAL FILTRATION.  Without Biological Filtration your water quality will q ..read more

Spring is almost here and most of you are anxious to get your pond opened and start feeding your fish.  Spring can be both an exciting and stressful time for Koi and pond hobbyists.  For those of you in the North your ponds may still have a layer of ice and your fish are resting on the bottom of the pond where the temps generally stay warmest.  As temperatures rise and your fish start to become more active this can also bring along with it minor or major health issues for your fish.  In the temperature ranges where Parasite and Bacteria are fully active your fish's immune is not yet fully func ..read more

Look what we've got in Quarantine!  Here is a small sample of the 80+ Fancy Goldfish soon to be listed!  We've had lots of inquiries and here they are!  Look for them in the next two weeks ..read more

Salt is an excellent tonic for fish, especially when they are behaving strangely such as sulking on the bottom of the pond, which can happen occasionally with fish for lots of various reasons.  Once you have tested your water and observed your koi for any rubbing or flashing (which may require a whole pond treatment  to address parasite issues or other water quality problems) and if it is a single koi that is unwell, a salt bath may just be the solution to get it back fit and healthy; it is important to understand that salt bathing your fish is not the answer to a problem with water quality or ..read more

Algae in Koi Ponds & Watergardens Most koi keepers problems with algae start in early Spring, when pond temperatures begin to rise; this is because the nutrients required for the algae to grow come to life. This also explains why you typically do not have algae problems in the colder Winter months, During this time your pond slows down dramatically, with the koi being less active, the filter more dormant thus reducing the nutrient content of the pond. So how can you get rid of algae in your pond, what causes it and what is the best way to both treat it and prevent it? The two main types of ..read more

What PH should my pond be? If ‘How often should I change my water?’ is our most frequently asked question when speaking to customers, the second most asked is about pH.  It is easy to understand why PH causes so much confusion though, with lots of mis-information out there.  Hopefully this guide will clear up most questions you have about PH. What is pH? pH is a figure expressing the acidity or alkalinity of water.  It is a 0-14 scale; one is the most acidic and fourteen is the most alkaline.  A pH of 7 is classed as neutral. It is important to note that the difference between one pH reading a ..read more

While talking to some of our customers in the past we have found that there is a really big mistake being made in that some Koi keepers are using rainwater to top off their pond. Collecting rain water whether you use a collection barrel or utilize the roof as a source and piping it into the pond is not an uncommon occurrence. While it may sound like a good idea and you’re saving on water, you should never do this, and here’s why.   Rain water is acidic. What do we know about acidic water? It can alter your ponds pH balance and in high volumes this can cause a fatal pH crash. Keep in mind that ..read more

How Often Should You do a Water Change on Your Koi Pond  This is one of our most Frequently Asked Questions, so we decided to share the “basics” of water changes. We have included the methods we utilize to perform water changes and a list of Don’t Forgets to help keep your Koi Pond at its best! Many of you have probably heard the common myth that once your pond is established you do not need to change your pond water very often unless you are doing maintenance replacements after cleaning your filtration systems or adding water due to evaporation. However, one of the most important things you s ..read more