As we move into the Spring and with the Summer months really just round the corner, we can all look forward to those bright and warm days which are especially lovely for Koi pond owners. The nicer weather and higher temperatures mean that it is the perfect time to be outside enjoying the beauty of your garden, your pond and the glistening colours of your fish as they dart through the water. However, this change in weather also comes with a few potential problems which, if you are not aware of in advance, could cause some problems for your Koi.
Reduce the temperature rise
There are a few general things that you can do to make things more comfortable for your fish. If it is possible to cast a shade over your pond with either garden accessories or plants, bushes or trees, then that would be very useful. If this is not possible then you could alternatively try to keep your water filter in the shade. It might also be advisable if temperatures do begin to soar to top up your pond with some cooler water.
Watch out for water evaporation
Throughout much of the year, the problem of evaporation will not necessarily be all that severe as temperatures and sunlight intensity will not be sufficient to merit much concern. However, when we do start to get warmer spells, it is important that you understand that water loss can be very detrimental as it reduces the size of the ecosystem in which your Koi live. In fact, over-crowding is one of the biggest causes of death when it comes to Koi. So, when things do start to heat up then simply make sure you are on hand with clean and de-chlorinated water to maintain the pond water levels.
Counteract low oxygen levels
Typically, oxygen levels tend to drop in the summer months in most types of ponds. Naturally, this can potentially be very harmful indeed for Koi and any other fish you might have, as it makes it more difficult for healthy breathing to occur. It is important to try and counteract this by introducing plenty of anaerobic bacteria into your pond. In addition, you can also take care of this problem by introducing other additives which encourage a healthier state in the water by balancing out the nitrogen cycle. Other features such as waterfalls and fountains are very useful in promoting oxygen levels by circulating water around the pond.
Algae Control
In the summer, grass has to be cut, hedges have to be trimmed and a whole host of other gardening activities have to carried out in order to keep the outdoor spaces in control and looking lovely. This however though does mean that there can be a lot of cuttings, shavings and general debris of the plants and other vegetation which has been cut back, strimmed or mown. Although in fact this debris dropping into your pond may eventually increase the oxygen levels by promoting algae growth, it is important nonetheless to keep a water skimmer ready to hand in order to clear some of this away so that the pond does not in time become completely overrun with algae.