Topic: Cleaning Fliters?

[Roy Bham UK]

Hi Sand and welcome, ;) Small Pond, how small is small? ???  (Never fed? ???) If there were no plants what were the fish eating? ???  Algae? ??? By adding food you have upset the balance, although that should right itself in time providing you keep the filter running permanently, the addition of plants will help in the long term, but not knowing the size and how many plants going in, will they have room to live in comfort? ???

Keep on top of cleaning the pump and filter, (but don’t clean the bottom medium), whilst feeding and include small 15/25% water changes too, especially if the weather is hot, :o (Don’t forget to de-chlorinate the new water).

Are you glad you asked? ;D

[Margaret]

I don't need to add much to what Roy has advised but you asked if once a week is normal.Yes,very normal, especially in hot weather and when the poor hungry fish are obviously making up for lost time.Why on earth do people keep them if they cannot even be bothered to feed them.That is just cruel.I clean my small pumps once a week and my larger one about every 3 or 4..I have a uv attached to my filters and have to clean the sponges about every week as well.You are doing all the right things.Just remember that when it turns cold in the late autumn it is best to stop feeding them until spring.

[Andy H]

We feed every day and the Koi sticks vanish in no time! Sometimes a slice of bread which last about 10 seconds to a minute :P

I thought the bulbs were effective for about six months but the quartz tube wasn`t bothered ny touching as th bulbs burn out with the grease from hands so they blow due to heat but this would not happen to a tube, just bulbs or car headlamps?

Just built new bridge over pond to give a bit of shade to the fish :D
Cost about £300 in wood etc. The rope alone was £72 >:(
Meant to be 24mm but needed at least a 32mm drill bit so used 38mm. Looks good with rope on though. Not quite finished but we did manage to lift it in place the other night...

[Roy Bham UK]

Andy, I must admit I do not understand what “Quartz” means other than “do not touch” whether it be electrical or glass. ::)

Quartz Halogen Bulbs in car headlights will blow if touched. :o

Quartz sleeves in UV lamps (not just bulbs) should not be touched. (Touch them at your peril) :o

Feeding bread occasionally is good, but if you want to keep them healthy and hungry, feed them brown, or even better granary and then blow their minds by giving them a few maggots. ;D

[Andy H]

Dont know why? funny really, quartz crystal in natural state should be touched felt melded with ;)

I must admit it is normally white bread :(
Maggots from fishing shop??? would they be ok?
They love sweetcorn......... trouble is, so do I ;D

[Roy Bham UK]

 :If you really love your fish, if you feel they are a joy to be around, then give them the best. Give them what they like, you don't have to give them the expensive stuff that makes them grow 10 ft in 10 years with bright colours.

My fish go ravenus for granery bread, maggots white, (don't feed coloured) Blood worms, and quality fish food. Beware of the compressed cardboard food that is served up in market stalls.

[Andy H]

OK thanks, so it is normal maggots from fish shop(white)?

Sweetcorn OK? Organic of course!

[Roy Bham UK]

 :o Hope I don't see maggots from my fish shop, eek! Fish'n'Chips no maggots PLEASE! ;D ;D ;D

[Andy H]

You know what I mean!!! The fishing shop for bait :-X

[Roy Bham UK]

 ::) Doh! ::)