koi pond questions

PufferBoi

AC Members
Dec 14, 2005
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since the weather is getting nicer and nicer everyday i bought a 100 g stock tank so i can keep my koi outside...i felt sorry for my koi because there in a 29 gallon right now and they should be in a bigger place... i have a outdoor outlet....how do i plug in filters and such to the outside outlet? and do any of you kno whats the lowest temp the water can be before the koi starts getting very very stressed out...i plan on puttin the koi in the stock tank about next week when the sun starts comming out.
 
100 gallons is a very small tank. Not only will koi quickly out grow this, but it will be very difficult to maintain. Temperatures in this small of a body of water will rapidly change. This will stress your fish, not cold water. If allowed to cool slowly enough koi will hibernate and withstand very cold water. As a rule, I don't disturb or feed them until the water has warmed to around 50 degrees. As far as your filters; I would use a small pond pump and pond filter, but I would recommend a much much larger tank.
 
do u just plug the filter into the outdoor outlet? would that be safe...im planing to buy a stock tank heater also.
 
I would highly advise building a regular pond for your koi. Even an above ground pool will work for a temporary or even long term pond if your winters don't get too cold.

How cold can a koi stand? My pond under the ice was 37-38 degrees. Is that good for them...nope. I do hope to have mine inside a greenhouse or even their own garage/greenhouse building next winter.

Build a filter for that tank rather than try to use and aquarium filter. Here is a thread on a koi/pond forum..you might have to join to see the pictures, but it has excellent filtration and easy cleaning and it will be HEALTHY for your fish. Fish can survive or fish can thrive. http://koiphen.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16161 100 gallons is not big enough to keep koi in long term..neither is the 300 gallon quarantine tank. I have made this quarantine tank and have kept koi in it all winter in a greenhouse. But it is not their permanent home by any means.

Do not get a "stock tank" heater as those will only keep the water warm enough to not freeze. If you really want to heat the tank get a 500 watt titanium heater off of ebay. I had 2 of these in the 300 gallon tank.

Keep the tank covered with bird netting at least for awhile. I always keep my tanks netted. Koi CAN and will jump especially in a new environment

HTH
 
I agree with the others. The stock tank is not big enough for Koi. How many do you have and how big are they?? I'm guessing y ou are planning on using an aquarium filter? It just won't keep up depending on how many fish you have. You would be better off making your own Adam's filter for this setup but bottom line is you are going to need something much bigger than a 100 gallons for these fish.
Also, the temperature in stock tanks will fluctuate considerably. You also want to be careful with the stock tank heater. Depending on what kind you bought, some of them can make the water very warm and they really nail your electric bill.
 
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