Koi ponds are a historically rich feature in many home landscapes worldwide. They are different from the general concept of a pond. Adding a waterfall increases water molecules and brings more oxygen to the pond, creating an ideal Koi fish habitat. Koi ponds waterfalls add to your home landscape a natural habitat for Koi fish and other microorganisms.
Features of Koi Pond waterfalls
Rather than a hole in the ground containing a few fish, Koi pond waterfalls are practical and elegant homes for fish of all sizes and colourations. You need to have 250 gallons of water for every fish; some large breeding females may require up to 500 gallons per fish due to their massive bulk when full of eggs in the breeding season. The added waterfall keeps the water running, making it more suitable for Koi fish.
Every Koi pond requires an efficient filtration setup added to the main pond. This filtration setup is a combination of mechanical, biological, and other filtration components. Here are some brief descriptions of filters given below.
⦁ Mechanical Filtration
In a Koi pond, you need to use mechanical filters like a skimmer basket, settling tank, open-cell foam sheets, sieve filter, or drum filter. These stages trap solid particulates from the pond water, which can clog biological filtration if not removed. The mechanical filter must be cleaned frequently to remove trapped wastes and keep it working properly. The waterfall addition to the Koi pond helps to keep running the water so that the water stays clean, and solid particles get trapped in the traps.
⦁ Biological Filtration
This filtration process is beneficial for storing required bacteria which remove ammonia and nitrate from the water. A pressurized bead filter is the most commonly used biological filter in many Koi ponds. These filters contain small plastic beads with a high surface area for holding the good nitrifying bacteria. To prevent compaction, these filters need to be washed weekly. Many other filtration options include running filter water through gravel beds, lava rocks, plastic matting, recycled strapping, or other porous, non-degrading materials. It would be best if you were cautious while cleaning these filters. Do not over-clean them using chlorine, hot water, or a pressure washer. You may remove the beneficial bacteria that grow on the surface of that filter.
⦁ Other Filtration
UV or ultraviolet filtration is a must for a Koi pond waterfall. A UV bulb is installed in the water line from where the pond water is pumped. This bulb stays hidden and helps to eliminate algae and other biological particulates. This Uv light also needs to be cleaned and replaced every year.
Wrapping Up
A Koi pond is a mesmerizing piece of the home landscape and added with a waterfall; it achieves a new height of beauty. The waterfall helps in different filtration processes that are a basic need for the benefits of the habitants. You can keep different fishes in a Koi pond besides Koi fish (Cyprinus rubrofuscus). As the traditional habitant of the pond, you can choose some close or proximate genres of fish like the goldfish (Carassius auratus). You can also keep catfish and high fin sharks in Koi ponds with Koi fish.