Koi In Aquarium

deemo73 · 11-10-2011, 05:15 PM

Hi Guys

I got 3 small koi say about 2 or 3 inches in size. Although they been in Vat outside for a few weeks, it's to small and not heated so get fluctuations in temp.

So i was thinking got a old fish tank which is big enough for them and placing them inside until winter passes.

I'm sure they be ok but just wanting advice should i do that or put them in pond worried with the last few years of bad cold and them being small if thats a good idea.

Also aquarium has a heater should i leave it in or take out i could set to 68F i.e lowest setting and leave it running.

Since they really pond fish being in a glass bowl so to say is not going to be an issue for them ??

Thanks

Doghouse Riley · 11-10-2011, 05:32 PM

They should be OK provided that you have an efficient filter system.
You shouldn't have the temperature any higher than it will be when you plan to put them outside again. Within reason the lower the temperature the better, say no more than 60F it will reduce the amount of food they eat and the waste they would produce at the optimum temperature which is above 70F.
You may find in a centrally heated house you won't need the heater much.

You will need to introduce them back into your pool slowly as the water quality would be markedly different. I'd also reproduce "night and day" conditions for them.

You may get some different advice, but that's what I'd do.

deemo73 · 11-10-2011, 06:49 PM

ok thanks the filtration is fine i'm sure of that. It was the heater i was unsure about i think i'll leave it unheated as you said in winter central heating will make a difference.

I think day / night not an issue as the thanks gets plenty of light from large window and the rooms hardly used so night is when lights are off and curtains closed.

I'd just be happier with them inside where i can keep an eye on them rather then lost in the pond in the dark of the winter.

jaykoi · 11-10-2011, 07:15 PM

i have 6 in a 95gallon tank and they are doing fine , thinking of getting a few more while they are cheaper to buy
j

pondy · 11-10-2011, 07:58 PM

just a word to the wise.. i tried this one year and i had four fish in a four foot tank. the largest bucket filter i could get wasnt enough filtration, as i was doing it daily..

also before my pond temps were anywhere near raising the koi had out grown their tank and i had to find other accomadation for them.(ned's QT tank).

if you leave koi growing in a tank too small for them you can also dramatically harm their body shape as the heads tend to continue growing and the bodies slow down... hence a large tadpole of a koi in future years

jaykoi · 11-10-2011, 08:02 PM

mines 4x2x2.5 with a 3' sump , it was a marine tank so plenty of filtration
j

Doghouse Riley · 11-10-2011, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pondy

just a word to the wise.. i tried this one year and i had four fish in a four foot tank. the largest bucket filter i could get wasnt enough filtration, as i was doing it daily..

also before my pond temps were anywhere near raising the koi had out grown their tank and i had to find other accomadation for them.(ned's QT tank).

if you leave koi growing in a tank too small for them you can also dramatically harm their body shape as the heads tend to continue growing and the bodies slow down... hence a large tadpole of a koi in future years

This is true about growth in a confined space, but if you keep the temperature down as I suggested to inhibit "winter growth" they should be fine.

deemo73 · 11-10-2011, 08:42 PM

I do see your point Pondy, and thats why as Dog said need to control the growth by keeping temps low and have very good filtration.

So i suppose in that sense the feeding should be controlled too.

This is problem i bought a Koi at beginning of season paid like 18 pounds or more for a few inch one towards end they had buy one get one free at same place and i noticed a couple of decent ones could not resist.

I've delayed as long as i could in there current home for that reason but seems we might be getting a cold snap soon and i don't want to lose either as i think these 3 maybe my best Koi

Davej · 11-10-2011, 09:28 PM

Koi that are 2-3" now will be 10" in April if they are cared for and you will not be able to easily move them in the intervening period.

An Aquarium filter however SOTA cannot cope with the waste Koi produce.

So I would give it a miss.

Dave