Safe Water for Koi Fish
Safe water for your  fish is important if you want to keep your Koi healthy.   An inexpensive test kit can be purchased that will analyze the chlorine levels of your Koi pond water letting you know if it is safe to add your fish.   There are chemical dechlorinators on the market that can be added to your Koi pond before the fish are put in, if your levels are too high.  However, too many chemicals are not safe for your fish, so try the alternate methods described here first before resorting to using dechlorinators for your pond.  This oxygenating plant will enhance your pond, help clarify the water and add oxygen.  It will also give your Koi a place to hide their eggs and allow the new hatchlings a safe haven from other pond fish and predators.

Another method is to use an aerator in the the water for at least 24 to 48 hours.   Aerators are relatively inexpensive and should also be used during the hot summer months to provide increased oxygen for your Koi.  Carbon filtration is yet another method to effectively remove chlorine from your pond.  I initially aerated my Koi pond water over a several day period, and then tested the chlorine levels before I safely added my fish.

Once your pond has been established, there is no need to worry about the unsafe chlorine levels in your tap water as long as you limit the changes to no more than 5% of your pond's volume.  You can safely add up to 5 percent of your Koi pond's volume once or twice a week without using a chlorine remover. However, if you add more, your water will need to be retreated.  As unsafe chlorine levels will harm your Koi's gills when in doubt TEST THE WATER!

Safe water quality is the MOST IMPORTANT factor in keeping your Koi Carp fish healthy.  Using a pond test kit will help to identify problem factors in your Koi pond such as a high alkaline content or ammonia level.  You can purchase a test kit or water additives at Macarthur Water Gardens at wetrack.it/macarthurwatergarden/a/lmack6675/e/19.   Other factors you will need to consider after you have added your  fish to the pond are filtration,  salt levels, temperature, oxygen,  nitrates, PH,  nitrites, and dirt.  We will address each of these factors individually at a later date.