When Shall I add My Bacteria?

Swan900 · 07-24-2011, 01:12 PM

I have been off the forum for ages due to my pond project. I have it all running now and ready to go. I have a good filter bacteria at hand, one that allows oxygen to enter and has a short expiry date to ensure 'living' bacteria. Problem is i cant think when to add it, it doesnt really say. I know from what to do with indoor tropical aquariums but I thought it would be safe to ask as its my first pond! My fish are going to be in there in 6 days time about 10 English Bred Koi at 4-6" in size. Thanks in advance.

P.S I havent added my pond dechloirnator in yet so shall i do that now? I cant belive how amateur I feel, been of the TPT for ages!

Swan

FIT BMX · 07-24-2011, 02:39 PM

Got any photos of the pond?

Postal Penguin · 07-24-2011, 03:01 PM

You should only add the bacteria when you have a way of supplying the bacteria with ammonia, otherwise they may starve and die. If the pond is small enough, you can add the bacteria and then dose with household ammonia until the fish arrive.

Swan900 · 07-24-2011, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Postal Penguin

You should only add the bacteria when you have a way of supplying the bacteria with ammonia, otherwise they may starve and die. If the pond is small enough, you can add the bacteria and then dose with household ammonia until the fish arrive.

Its 4800 litres, I have household ammonia, shall I add it and supply it with some of this? Thanks!

Swan

**plantbrain** · 07-24-2011, 07:39 PM

Add plants, there's your bacteria and loaded with them, and the way to remove any fish waste.

Imaginary1226 · 07-24-2011, 09:33 PM

When I set up my pond I threw in some seasoned filter material, some plants, and some dirty water from rinsing out a filter. Seemed to do the trick.

adamprice271 · 07-25-2011, 06:24 AM

Dechlorinate immediately, add the bacteria the night before Koi arrival. Get several floating plants (water lettuce, water Hyacinth) not sure if you call it the same over there. That will suffice for sure. I clean out my pond once a year, but gets a net over it for fall and winter. Pond is drained, Koi in a large tub with filter. Powerwashed, rinsed and refilled with tap water. Dechlorinated, add bacteria, add plants, add fish. Simple as that really. Koi and alot of goldfish are almost "bullet proof". I need to get some pics of my Koi up...can't find the camera cable

07-24-2011, 01:12 PM	#1
Swan900 Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: London, England Posts: 537	When Shall I add My Bacteria? I have been off the forum for ages due to my pond project. I have it all running now and ready to go. I have a good filter bacteria at hand, one that allows oxygen to enter and has a short expiry date to ensure 'living' bacteria. Problem is i cant think when to add it, it doesnt really say. I know from what to do with indoor tropical aquariums but I thought it would be safe to ask as its my first pond! My fish are going to be in there in 6 days time about 10 English Bred Koi at 4-6" in size. Thanks in advance. P.S I havent added my pond dechloirnator in yet so shall i do that now? I cant belive how amateur I feel, been of the TPT for ages! Swan __________________ I Guess You Could Call Me... H y d r o p h i l i c Fluval Pimp #21 17 Gallon Planted Room Tank 6.3 Gallon Planted Nano

07-24-2011, 07:39 PM	#5
plantbrain Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (232/100%) Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: The swamp Posts: 11,993	Add plants, there's your bacteria and loaded with them, and the way to remove any fish waste. __________________ Regards, Tom Barr

07-25-2011, 06:24 AM	#7
adamprice271 Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2/100%) Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 338	Dechlorinate immediately, add the bacteria the night before Koi arrival. Get several floating plants (water lettuce, water Hyacinth) not sure if you call it the same over there. That will suffice for sure. I clean out my pond once a year, but gets a net over it for fall and winter. Pond is drained, Koi in a large tub with filter. Powerwashed, rinsed and refilled with tap water. Dechlorinated, add bacteria, add plants, add fish. Simple as that really. Koi and alot of goldfish are almost "bullet proof". I need to get some pics of my Koi up...can't find the camera cable __________________ 125g planted with vals, 5 Geophagus Surinimensis, 4 Altifranz, 45 Diamond Tetras, L-240, pair of L255, L134 male, lots of khullis, birstlenose, Jaguar catfish, spotted rapheal. 650g fish room. 15 30g tanks, 150g sump.

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07-24-2011, 02:39 PM	#2
FIT BMX Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Kansas, USA Posts: 265	Got any photos of the pond?

07-24-2011, 03:01 PM	#3
Postal Penguin Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (6/100%) Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: CO Posts: 414	You should only add the bacteria when you have a way of supplying the bacteria with ammonia, otherwise they may starve and die. If the pond is small enough, you can add the bacteria and then dose with household ammonia until the fish arrive.

07-24-2011, 09:33 PM	#6
Imaginary1226 Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (7/100%) Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Shrewsbury, PA Posts: 307	When I set up my pond I threw in some seasoned filter material, some plants, and some dirty water from rinsing out a filter. Seemed to do the trick.