There are various techniques and devices for introducing oxygen in Koi ponds from return, waterfalls, blades, baki showers etc. While these all help our experience is that because their efficiency is variable, using mechanical air pumps removes any doubt and variability, and also ensures that sufficient aeration is going in 24/7.
The biggest consumers of oxygen in a Koi system are not the Koi but the nitrifying bacteria in our filters. To ensure there’s always enough it’s not only necessary to aerate your filters but also ensure there’s a constant flow to deliver the oxygen to all areas it’s required. Placing aeration within the filter media is the best way to ensure the former and of course system circulators provide the latter.
We also strongly recommend aerated bottom drain covers. Not only do they deliver oxygen to the bottom of the pond and induce more effective mixing and destratification and make the organic removal process more effective, but they can operate permanently.
You can read more about aeration in our aeration section.
We’re hoping many of you will take on board much of our hard-won recommendation but for those who don’t here’s a couple of final things to think about.
We’ve mentioned the role of atmospheric pressure in determining the amount of oxygen waters able to absorb and retain. But living on top of a mountain isn’t the only way AP is increased. Each year many Koi are lost in ponds that haven’t heeded our advice when climatic atmospheric
pressure comes out to play. Long hot summer days can see thunderstorms and extreme climate events that can occur quickly. In these circumstances, the rapid atmospheric changes can literally suck out the oxygen content of our ponds and initiate an oxygen crisis. Although rare, such events are very dangerous and every year result in pond wipeouts that are 100% avoidable.
Secondly, mechanical air pumps will break down and fail. The clues in the title mechanical, so it’s really not a matter of if but when! It’s always a good idea to have a backup, spare air pump available to immediately replace any failures or breakdowns. Please also remember air pumps require maintenance. Please don’t just install them and forget them. Clean out gauze filters, remove clogging graphite that’s generated as the reciprocating magnetic parts ware, and always keep a spare set of diaphragms because these are the most common components to fail and a set of these is much less expensive than buying a completely new air pump.
Please take oxygen seriously. Please invest the time to understand its role in your system, how to introduce and maintain enough of it and where to put it. All this is important and might just save the lives of your precious Koi.
One final thought… Consider the total cost of buying enough air pumps to effectively oxygenate your system, plus a spare, plus some spare parts. Then consider the total cost of replacing some or all of your collection of Koi, let alone the emotional cost, then you do the sums and decide which option is really best for you?
