Clear versus green

[Busy B]

Reading some stuff on another site, it was mentioned how koi are more comfy in either green or slightly green water. Clear gives the impression of healthy water and a clean pond but are koi not so skittish when they feel they can hide away from predators? What about mud ponds...they can't see what's going on?

What are the benefits/pitfalls of either?

[Jackie Ramo]

Actaully green water is good for the fish unless the water becomes peasoup, then you run into other water quality issues. Many show folks let the water green up for a couple of weeks before a show as the extra vitamins etc make the skin shine.

Not being able to see the fish is a problem for the owner not the fish. Mind if the water gets thick and you don't see them for a while then health issues could come into play.

[Busy B]

Well now I know why mine have that luster :lol:

[Jackie Ramo]

That's right, so when it greens up a bit don't panic. I don't mind the water be a bit green although it drives me crazy when it gets so green you can't see them. I spend all winter not being able to see them I don't want to spend the spring that way as well.

[Tammygirl815]

I don't mind the green so much in the winter, but I would rather not see it in the spring or summer. :smile:

[Busy B]

The tank in the ghouse if finally starting to clear..think it's the warmer temps and I cleaned their house better last time;-)


Definately clear is better but seems like all I end up with is a tinge of green. Don't know if it's our outside temps never get too hot or too much nutrients. Probably a mix of both%(

[Jackie Ramo]

The downside of greenis it likes warm water, now string algae likes cold water... well at least we are always occupied around the pond with one thing or another :smile:

[luke frisbee]

green water heals sores on a koi as well...don't know if it is the algae/rotifers/whtever grazing on the dead tissue therefore competing with harmful bacteria or whether it is the huge pH swings that plays with the metabolisms of the bacteria.

And since most of you do not Spearfish here is an insight for you. When spearfishing in low visibility water, the fish move away once they see you. They feel comfortable till they see you...at least the majority of the fish do..some have a an untrusting nature...just like koi.
KOI THAT DO NOT SEE YOU ARE HAPPIER.

[Busy B]

The fish that was a jumper two weeks ago had a bruise on his tail. Now he's healed so I think the green water does play a part.

But...the stupid thing was a jumper again today! Caught him again before he became fertilizer...once a jumper, always a jumper? He hasn't done this before and now he has done it twice in the last month. Only when I'm doing a water change and the water level is low.

[Tammygirl815]

Question! Do you people really do water changes in the middle of winter? I don't should I be? :-P

[Jackie Ramo]

Yes, I do one or two if its mild. Haven't so far this winter as the time we got a thaw I didn't have time to do it as soon as I had time... ice and snow again. Usually one in February when we get a few warm days.

If you are understocked and the pond went into the winter clean, I'd not panic about it but certainly go and test the water. Nothing to put a damper on spring faster than a pond full of dead fish.

[Busy B]

Denise I have mine in a tank in the greenhouse. I didn't dare leave them outside for the winter. They are still small so I can get away with it for now..

[Tammygirl815]

Busy, I have left mine out the whole winter, but my pond for some reason NEVER froze up! I did get a little ice just around the sides and a small amount by the waterfalls, but that is it! We had some babies too, they were born last June, I could not get them out of the pond, they just took of under the rocks there was no way to grab them. I see them off and on all winter, so far everyone is ok!

[Busy B]

Now that would be perfect Denise..:smile:

Last year we had lots of power outages...Even if I had a deicer, I didn't know if I could keep a hole open. 25-40 below may be hard to keep up with. And I don't think I made the pond deep enough...I'll see this spring..I left some lilies at the bottom and if their dead, means the pond froze solid. :sad:

I didn't have to figure out what I was going to do with the fish if the power went out, (it never did). I envisioned bringing them in the house in buckets and putting them in the tub...never happened, thank goodness. I still need to get battery powered air stones and someday a generator and then I wouldn't have to worry so much.

[Tammygirl815]

Hi Bee, I am sure your weather is alot worse than what I have here in ohio! I am glad that they didn't freeze up, but I don't know why it didn't. The only thing I can come up with is maybe the power of my waterfalls, because everyone around me have frozen ponds! I truly don't no what else it could be :unsure:

[Busy B]

Wells that's a good thing then! :smile:

Just be careful of ice dams but sounds like your almost thru the worst of it!