Koi Inside Pond HELP!

[Brian]

Hey koiguy, thanks for the info! I had to put the fish in the pond even though I wasn't finished filling it up, they were a little crammed in the bucket. I read the directions on the pump before starting it, so I added water, and set the filter, to filter, and turned it on. It works fine but it said Im suppost to have a reading on the pressure guage it stays at 0, so Im guessing theres no pressure going to the filter. I went inside the pond to feel the inlets for the pump, and I didn't feel any suction happening, they are kind of clogged on the air holes with algae so Im not sure if that has anything to do with it? I backwashed the filter and that didn't help eathier. Any ideas with what can be wrong? I was hoping to at least get the pump,and filter up and running. Also I didn't fill the pond all the way yet; about halfway, but I didn't think that would be the cause because the only things I see for suction are the 2 inlets at the bottom of the pond.

Thanks,

Brian

those are the inlets to the pump, the floor one is called a drain, im sorry, i should of been more specific, i didnt mean drains for draining the pond. i was talking like you knew. you may not need the u.v bulb but there is no way to know, so replace it anyway. dont touch the new bulb with your fingers. the bottom drain draws debris in by suction and gravity.yes, you are correct, that bubbler is an aerator, big plus. like i said their test recommendations are right. put the aerator in whatever you have the fish in.now if all you have is the sand filter i would look into building a bio filter as soon as possible. keep us posted. and good luck to ya!!!!

 

[koiguy1969]

the pump draws water thru the skimmer too, so you have to fill the pond or close the plumbing off to the skimmer. and is the pump one that has to be primed? is it even running? take a stiff brush to the air stone(bubbler) to clean it up and run the aerator. run your gargen hose thru the skimmer full blast. and stick it in the bottom drain too to check for flow.

 

[Brian]

the pump draws water thru the skimmer too, so you have to fill the pond or close the plumbing off to the skimmer. and is the pump one that has to be primed? is it even running? take a stiff brush to the air stone(bubbler) to clean it up and run the aerator. run your gargen hose thru the skimmer full blast. and stick it in the bottom drain too to check for flow.

That may be my problem then if the pump draws water through the skimmer, would that make the bottom inlets not draw in water? I dont think it has to be primed you hear it running as soon as you plug it in. I do have to fill this clear thing on the side of it with water before I turn it on. The skimmer, does have some rocks, and leaves that I still haven't cleaned out, Im going to clean it today while trying to fill the pond. If you can, could you give me more detail on how to run the hose to the inlets to check for flow? I went inside the pod, and had my hand next to them and didn't feel nothing, but If its because the pond isn't filled with water, im going to go ahead and do that!

Thanks,

Brian

 

[DrDave]

Brian
Are you anywhere near Escondido???

 

[c2c7390]

Im in Rancho

Brian
Are you anywhere near Escondido???

i dont know how close that is but thats where he says he is

 

[DrDave]

That is why I asked, there is no such place as Rancho, Ca.
There are hundreds of Rancho XXXXXXXX, Ca.

 

[Brian]

That is why I asked, there is no such place as Rancho, Ca.
There are hundreds of Rancho XXXXXXXX, Ca.

Sorry I should have been more specific. Im in Rancho Cucamunga, Im just used to saying Rancho.

 

[Brian]

Brian
Are you anywhere near Escondido???

Quite a drive from Escondido :icon_sad:

 

[Brian]

Anyways, Im trying to fill the pond so I can try to turn on the pump again. I've noticed that the fish (I placed them back in the pond) aren't very active, Im not sure if they were like this in the other water other because I couldn't see them. When one starts swimming the others do to, but most of the time, they are sitting on the bottom. When Im present, or walk near the pond they swim away pretty fast together. Would this be because there's no movement in the water, and because the filter isn't on?

-Brian

 

[koiguy1969]

water temp is one reason, is the water still real cold? the water is warmer on the bottom when its relly cold;and they dont really know you,but as the guy who chased them down netted them and put them in a bucket. that will change when the water warms up and they see whos feeding them. like mine, when you walk the perimeter of the pond they will follow like puppy dogs and get all excited to see you! when you feed ,stay where they can see you, but not to close at first; each time moving a little closer; when you can stand at the edge.put your hand in the water, and let them see you release the food acouple of times, then release and keep your hand in the water,one will eventually come and eat, once one does they all will follow. but get it full of water,and that filter running. and start building a bio filter.

 

[DrDave]

Toss a small pump in there to circulate the water and get the system up and running. You are lucky the poor fish are still alive. If the water smells, imagine living in a sewer.

I would remove most of the water and slowly introduce clean de-chlorinated water so the fish have some healthy water immediatley.

The most important thing now is; clean, moving water, that is properly maintained with a good, established biological filter.

 

[koiguy1969]

he already did all that dr.dave, the ponds almost full again.

 

[DrCase]

give it a little time and hopefully it will settle down.

 

[Brian]

Im pretty sure, the water is at or below 50 degrees especially at night. There is a thermometer with a string hanging on the bridge to the water so I'll go ahead and check the temps. Anyways thanks everybody for all the advice, especially koiguy!:icon_smile: Im in the process of filling up the rest of the pond right now, and adding more conditioner. Im hoping everything will be up and running by Sunday, then I'll get to building a bio filter, like you suggested. Im pretty sure I'll have more questions, when I do I'll go ahead and post it on this thread!

Thanks,

Brian

 

[mister2driver]

Check on Craigslist.com for a 55 gallon drum that you can use for you biofilter.
Rancho C, isn't too far from Burbank, CA. Maybe I can check out your pond one day when I'm in the area. Currently I'm building a pond. GL.