Taking care of a koi aquarium is not as difficult as it looks despite the exotic nature of its inhabitants. In fact, you may think of a koi aquarium as nothing more than your run-of-the-mill aquatic habitat except for a few tweaks here and there to account for the unique needs of the world-famous Japanese carp. And of course, no offense is meant for dear readers with the title as it only means basic care tips for the amateur koi keeper.
Aquarium Size
For optimal growth, you can only keep small koi, otherwise known as fry, in an aquarium. As koi can grow very fast, you have to make pond provisions when these carps outgrow their aquariums. With that said, the general rule of thumb is that for every foot-long koi, you will need a 100-gallon fish tank.
Aquarium Water
Before introducing koi and plants into the new aquarium, you must condition the water for at least a week. Basically, you have to ensure that the water if free of chlorine, heavy metals like zinc, lead and copper, gases and dissolved solutes.
When the koi have been introduced into the aquarium, you only need to change the water at least once a month. However, it is equally important that oxygen, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels must be appropriately measured, monitored and maintained. You must, therefore, install air and chemical filtration systems to make both your life and that of your koi easier.
Also, keep in mind that koi can easily turn water into a muddy coloration due to their constant swirling of the bottom. You must then anticipate it since water purity must be maintained at all times. This way, too, your koi aquarium will appear pristinely beautiful every time.
Aquarium Temperature
Koi is a cold-water fish. Of course, this does not mean that you can submerge them in ice-cold water, far from it! Now, that would really by the dumbest act ever in the history of koi keeping.
Anyways, your small koi must be kept in an aquarium with temperatures ranging from 61 degrees to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Well, of course, you do not use your elbow to determine it since a thermometer does the job better.
Also, your koi should never ever be exposed to sudden temperature changes as doing so can cause fish infections. Yes, your koi can be infected with diseases. You can, fortunately, maintain stable ideal temperatures with a heating system and even with an aquarium cover.
Aquarium Light
You can install a sophisticated light system to enhance the effect of the koi coloring, if you want to. However, you must also ensure that the koi are provided with at least 12 hours of natural sunlight each day.
It is, thus, a good idea to place the aquarium in a well-lighted area that also allow for natural darkness. After all, you don’t want the koi to live in constant light! Just be sure that the koi are protected from predators like the household cat.
A koi aquarium is a joy to behold! With its colorful Japanese carp swimming through rich aquatic foliage, you may even find peace and serenity just looking at the koi aquarium in your living room.
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