Koi and Pond Plants
Pond plants intently compete with pond algae because both draw a lot of nitrogen from the pond water as a food source. So, strategic use of plants can be a good defense to counteract algae growth and encourage balance in the koi pond. Plants do wonderful things for pond water like producing oxygen during the day (photosynthesis) and reducing nitrates (a byproduct of the nitrogen-cycle) which would otherwise accumulate in the pond. Not only do plants gulp up large amounts of nitrates from pond water they also provide shade which is beneficial in the quest for water clarity. Koi hobbyist’s struggle for clear water and avoidance of the dreaded green-water-syndrome can be fought with shade and nitrate removal. Additional advantages of pond plants are that they remove other toxins from the water, and they provide plant agglutinins that function like natural flocculants contributing to the overall health and water quality of your koi pond.
There are three types of pond plants: Floaters, Drifters, and Potted. Floaters are plants such as Fairy Moss, Water Lettuce and Water Hyacinths. Drifters are pond plants such as Anacharis, Hornwort and Parrots Feather. They generally drift about and will eventually put down roots. Common bog or potted plants for use in koi ponds and bogs are Cannas, Taro, Lily, Arrowhead, Papyrus, Rush and Water Celery.
Some koi keepers are adamant that plants and koi do not mix. One argument against combining plants and koi is that the fish will eat and destroy the plants, upset pots and spewing dirt into the water creating a mess in the pond. This can be resolved by growing plants without dirt. Plants can be placed in pots and filled with rock. Another option is to make depressions in the liner that you can put rock into providing a place for plants to root.
Another good option is the floating island. There are several types on the market, or you can make one at home, to provide a protected place for plants to grow and thrive without the risk of being nibbled or damaged by inquisitive koi. If you want the benefits that plants provide for your pond but don’t want them readily available to your fish you can net off a section of the pond for the plants.
An alternative method is to maintain plants in a rubber tub alongside the pond to act as a veggie filter or bog if your pond does not have one built-in as part of the filter system. Place the tub at pond’s edge and pump water to circulate through the plants then return back to the pond. The plants will do their job of consuming nitrates and other toxins while in a completely separate container.
Pond plants can be a wonderful addition to your koi pond as well as providing many benefits. They offer shade, purification and aid with water quality. You can have plants in the koi pond; in a bog filtration system or even keep them in a separate tank.
There are three types of pond plants: Floaters, Drifters, and Potted. Floaters are plants such as Fairy Moss, Water Lettuce and Water Hyacinths. Drifters are pond plants such as Anacharis, Hornwort and Parrots Feather. They generally drift about and will eventually put down roots. Common bog or potted plants for use in koi ponds and bogs are Cannas, Taro, Lily, Arrowhead, Papyrus, Rush and Water Celery.
Some koi keepers are adamant that plants and koi do not mix. One argument against combining plants and koi is that the fish will eat and destroy the plants, upset pots and spewing dirt into the water creating a mess in the pond. This can be resolved by growing plants without dirt. Plants can be placed in pots and filled with rock. Another option is to make depressions in the liner that you can put rock into providing a place for plants to root.
Another good option is the floating island. There are several types on the market, or you can make one at home, to provide a protected place for plants to grow and thrive without the risk of being nibbled or damaged by inquisitive koi. If you want the benefits that plants provide for your pond but don’t want them readily available to your fish you can net off a section of the pond for the plants.
An alternative method is to maintain plants in a rubber tub alongside the pond to act as a veggie filter or bog if your pond does not have one built-in as part of the filter system. Place the tub at pond’s edge and pump water to circulate through the plants then return back to the pond. The plants will do their job of consuming nitrates and other toxins while in a completely separate container.
Pond plants can be a wonderful addition to your koi pond as well as providing many benefits. They offer shade, purification and aid with water quality. You can have plants in the koi pond; in a bog filtration system or even keep them in a separate tank.
Can I put pond plants in a waterfall or stream?
Yes. Streams and waterfalls are a great alternate location for pond plants, and they should be out of the koi’s reach while still providing excellent water purification.
Can parasites, fish eggs or bacteria be transported on water plants?
Yes, pond plants can contain unwanted fish eggs and harbor parasites and bacteria that can be harmful to your fish. Plant disinfection with the ‘bath’ or ‘dip’ method is suggested before placing in your pond.
How can I disinfect new pond plants?
Treating your new plants in a ‘bath’ or ‘dip’ of Potassium Permanganate can be very effective to rid them of unwanted fish eggs, snails, and parasites that may be attached to them. Potassium Permanganate is also particularly effective against harmful bacteria that may be present on your newly acquired pond plants.
*Potassium Permanganate will stain! Use extreme caution and follow all manufacture instructions.
- First fill 2 large containers with water.
- Treat one container with chlorine remover.
- Add Potassium Permanganate to the other container at a rate of approximately 1/8 teaspoon per 3 gallons of water. The solution should be a medium pink or magenta color, not purple.
- Next, wash all dirt off the roots of floating and drifting type plants and remove any faded or damaged leaves.
- Place the plants in the Potassium Permanganate solution and add an air bubbler the container. Force plants down into the solution with a net and gently weight it to ensure all foliage is submerged.
- Allow to soak for a 3-4 hours.
- Remove plants from solution and rinse in second container filled with de-chlorinated water before placing them in your pond.
*Potassium Permanganate will stain! Use extreme caution and follow all manufacture instructions.
What is a bog or veggie filter for a koi pond?
Many koi enthusiasts who do not want live plants in their koi ponds install a veggie filter or bog filter. It is part of the overall pond filtration system and can greatly improve water quality. A bog is not accessible to the fish. It is a shallow pond-like compartment designed to hold plants and intended for additional water clarification. Water is circulated through the bog prior to flowing into the main pond. The media used for growing plants in a bog or veggie filter is usually gravel or lava rock, or a combination of the two, rather than soil. Follow this link for more information on veggie filters >>> http://www.pondtrademag.com/articles/ar-13/
What are plant agglutinins?
Pond plants also provide plant agglutinins that function like natural flocculants to the koi pond. Agglutinins are sticky proteins given off by the plants. The agglutinins are beneficial because they spread throughout the pond water and stick to undesirable elements like organic molecules and bacteria. After they stick to these things, they coagulate and sink to the pond bottom then are drawn out of the pond by filters.