Add lots of plants right away. Not fish. The pond's ecosystem can't handle a big load of fish right away. If you add too many fish or feed too much, poisonous ammonia (fish waste) will build up in the water. In established ponds the ammonia is detoxified by the biological filter. In a new pond, however, the biological filter can not detoxify a high level of ammonia. Add only a few fish every few weeks. Feed them once a day for the first two weeks. Monitor the pH, ammonia and nitrite levels with test kits. This will help you monitor the water quality and know if you are feeding too much. You can help the biological filter get established with MicrobeLift, KiNitrifier, Crystal Clear Bacteria, or PondZyme. These products contain live bacteria that "jump start" the biological filter so there will be less chance of ammonia and nitrite poisoning.

Where should I buy my fish?

When you purchase your new fish make sure that it is from a dealer that knows their stuff! Ask questions. Do they quarantine new shipments of fish before selling them? For how long? Do they own a microscope, and know how to identify the parasites that fish may have? Do they know how to treat fish if necessary? Do they know about water quality? Do they test the water, and know what the numbers mean? If the answer to any of these questions is no, then chances are you will buy unhealthy fish from them. 

What kind of food should I feed my fish?

When you first set up a pond or in the spring we recommend feeding a low protein high carbohydrate food. Because fish are cold-blooded, the water temperature controls their metabolism. In the spring and autumn when the water temperature is cool, fish metabolism is greatly reduced compared to the summer months. Feeding a high protein food in cool water offers no benefit to the fish. The protein is simply converted to ammonia and excreted by the fish. This can result in a build-up of harmful ammonia, especially when the biological filter is new or dormant after a long winter. A reduced protein-high carbohydrate diet supplies the fish with plenty of energy plus the essential vitamins and minerals they need to stay healthy. Feed high carbohydrate food when the water temperature is between 42° F (5.5° C) and 70° F (21° C). As the water temperature approaches 70° F (21° C) begin feeding a higher protein-lower carbohydrate staple pond food. The warmer summer season is when fish are growing and need a high protein diet.

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