[mancity]

Hi guys, This ones for the ppls who have a home aquarium (inside the home)

I was wondering if anybody had any good tips for keeping the water nice and crstyal clear

I have to clean my koi's out twice or even thrice a week! lol just to be able to see them.

I originally had gravel in there with real water plants, but then I removed the real plants and used fake plants, but the problem never really got much better, so ive taken all the gravel and plants etc out but although its better, its still not solved

Ive got a good filter system, and have been told to reduce the amount of light from the sun, and also the built-in light, but was wondering if there was anything else I can buy to put in (like tablets or liquid) to help it further.

Just want the best for them guys

water quality can be controled by a reduction in feed levels, and really frequent water changes. dont forget to use a de-chlorinator before adding the fresh water !

[Stig]

You can get water conditioner and your good filtration system will probably be good for tropical fish but cold waters produce about 3 or 4 times as much waste as tropicals .Also they like to root about inb the gravel have you got a gravel syphon so when you do a partial water change you suck the water out though the gravel also filters work a lot better with a heater just to make the water a little warmer

[Bet]

You could try this
http://www.fishandfins.co.uk/stress-zyme.htm
I use this and it does help to clear the tank,I use water from the pond for weekly water changes so its quite murky at first,it clears but still has a tinge of colour to it.I have gravel and a few plants in, but dont want to remove them as I think its nicer for them to be able to root around for titbits of food

[mancity]

Thanks alot Bet.

Exactly what I was looking for!

As I say, for the moment the guys have a bare tank (must be bored sh*tless in there!) but its only temporary...............I aim to have a nice home for em soon

Oh yeah..............what you feed em?

I give mine koi food..........floating pellets, some for colour and health, and some for growth, but dont want em just eating the same old stuff day-in-day-out..................corn wouldn't mess up the water if fed in small quantities now and again would it?

mate you would be far better feeding a quality designed food to them , skim off whats not eaten after 5 mins....................................dont go down the chemical route when all it takes is a little time and effort with water changes !

[mancity]

I change 20% of the tank twice or three times a week mate (and will continue to do so)

I Feed about 4 times a day a small amount and ensure it all gets eaten, and remove anything that they dont devour in 3 minutes.

I watched that fresh fishing DVD and want a tank like theirs! Boring DVD and not really any good IMO, but real nice tank lol

[philntomo]

i use a product called Green Away, You can get it at any Garden Centre Aquarium Section, You mix up say 2 capfulls with a litre of water and slowly pour it evenly in your tank. I have found it does make it stay clear for alot longer!

[Cliff]

As people have already said, just watch the amount of food that goes in and remove any thats not eaten! Carp are messy buggers, and what goes in will eventually come back out When doing a water change you shouldnt fill the tank back up with water from the hot tap, just use the cold.
If all else fails put the koi in the pond and buy some tropicals/cichlids for your tank, much less messy

[Dan]

not being funny mate but if your having to clean 2 or 3 times a week then it sounds to me that your filters not working properly. As others have said, reduce the feed levels etc. but maybe also try another filter in the system. I have two in my tank, an under gravel system and a stingray internal filter. Together they keep the water crystal clear without the use of chemicals. Also if you can, try to re-introduce the live plants into the water. this will help the water quality through turning nitrates into nitrites (or the other way around ). without confusing the issue, real plants are better for your water quality. And finally, if you don't want to feed your fish the same thing all the time, try some dried bloodworm which you can get from pet shops. These are more like a treat for your fish and my fish certainly love em.

hope this helps

Dan

[mancity]

I got 2 fluval 4's in my tank and have been told they are much more than enough, but

Can you give me into on your under gravel filter please?

[Dan]

there more so an old system of filtering but when used in conjuction with a stringray / fluval they can remove particles that the internal filters can't. Thay work by sucking water from beneath the gravel thus sucking the dirt and particles into the gravel itself. The water is then pushed up through a tube with most of the dirt / particles stuck between the gravel. I tend to find that a lot of bigger particles (eg. un-eaten food) get drawn down with the under gravel system and the stingray picks up everything else.

[mancity]

Ok thank you mate.

Im not gonna use any chemicals or anything, but may look more into the undergravel filter as I can see its advantages.

[Dan]

it might well help mate. But definetly look at your filter system before you consider chemicals. most of the time changing your filter system to work better will solve the problem

[mancity]

Ok thanks pal