Do I need to build a quarantine tank while building my first Koi pond?
The quarantine facility can be built after the pond is completed as the initial batch of Koi purchased has to go into the pond to mature the filter system. Stocking slowly over several weeks ensures the filter biology grows gradually to cope with each additional fish,otherwise the Koi are subjected to ammonia and nitrite toxicity as the nitrogen cycle is established. During this phase, water testing is paramount to ensure ammonia and nitrite levels are controlled as underestimating this danger is the prime problem in all new ponds. These first Koi are naturally exposed to a higher risk of having a health setback not just from the immaturity of the filter but by sharing one another’s health problems. Losses are common in new ponds and there is an increased risk of parasites and bacterial infections when the conditions are unstable. Later when the teething problems are resolved this first batch of Koi will have adapted to life in the pond and any health issues dealt with. From this point
