How do I add city water w/o killing my fish!

I have my 1400 gal pond for about 4 years and have never had a problem with adding water. Living in Louisiana we can loose up to one inch a day in the summer months. I've always put the garden hose down in my skimmer and filled no more than an inch. Three days ago I did this for the first time this summer and killed three of my biggest Koi. My pond is too big to put water in a barrel and try and get the water from the barrel to the pond.

Any suggestions?

 

Hi I notice that no one has post any replies as of yet to your question. From what I have gathered from my years of experience with ponds is that there are plenty of dechlorinator products out there. If I remember correctly some claim that you can add this directly to your pond then add the water in with your garden hose. I have never had to do this since I live in NH and I have a well where I draw my water from. You should search online and ask them directly or go to your pond store and ask about dechlorinators and how they work in conjunction with ponds.

Good luck on the pond
Dharma

 

Dharma,

Thanks so much for your reply. I have checked with our only local pond shop and they told me to get a 55 gallon drum and fill it with water, leave it for 24 hours and then add that water.

That sounds all well and fine but where do I put this big drum and then how do I get the water from the drum to the pond??? I'm not very strong so keeping the thing by the pond and dumping it over would not be feasable much less unsightly. I could hide it in my yard and then sifer from it? I've never siffered before.

I'm afraid to just add the chemicals before adding the water directly to my pond but maybe that is the solution.

Thanks so much. Please, will other people help me on this one?

Linda

 

Pond people report you can safely add city water to your pond as long as you add it slowly. Most limit this to less than 5% of total pond volume per day, added slowly over several hours. Water is trickled in and timer used to prevent overflow.

You need to find out if your city treats its water with chlorine or chloramine. If you use water containing chlorine, chlorine will gas off quickly if you add water in a vigorous spray. You can also remove chlorine using pond water conditioner based on sodium thiosulfate. This may be purchased in liquid form or crystals. Mix conditioner in water in a container before adding or mix with water along with water you add to pond.

Chloramine is a combination of chlorine and ammonia. If they use chloramine, it will be more difficult to safely add water. If you use a sodium thiosulfate based water conditioner, this will remove the chlorine but leave the ammonia which can kill fish. There is a water conditioner based on sodium hydroxymethanesulfonate and other chemicals that removes chlorine and converts ammonia to safety. But, water treated with this conditioner can not be accurately tested with a Nessler test kit. The conditioner should be added to water in a separate container before adding to pond or mixed with water as added to pond. Water should be added to pond through a biofilter.

Adding a whole house water filter with a carbon filter is an easy solution to city water problems. Make sure you purchase one that will remove both chlorine and ammonia. There are also inline filters that can be hooked to your water hose. Test water to make sure it is safe. You should have zero readings for chlorine and ammonia. Add water slowly.

 

This is NOT an add from me. This is just a place I found for people that wanted a hose connection to the pond. It is made for
chlorine. I don't need that because I use well water in the pond.

However, I think the connection they provide to the hose is the best I've seen. I will buy it and then find out what media I need for IRON and see if
it works.

Company name below with description of it:
Garden Hose Filters
from Pure Water Products
(940) 382 3814

If you need an outdoor water filter to make chlorine-free water for your petunia bed or your dog's water bowl, to provide spot-free water for washing your car, or to remove the chemicals and chlorine from the water that fills your outdoor fish pond, here's the easy and inexpensive way.

Hope it will work for you. AND ME

 

I was so busy I didn't tell you that your must also read what
TWELVEPOLE has to say. He is right on.

 

Try using barley hay and also there are chemicals that are fish and plant friendly that you add sparingly when that you add more water. I use Clear Water pond clarifyer that we buy from Farm & Fleet. I dont know if you have that store in your area or not but you might try a hardware store also. Good Luck!

 

Hi there, you dont need to go through all that water in the drum business. Just add the water that you need and then add the water clarifyer product that is also safe for fish and plants. I use Clear Water pond clarifyer that I buy at Farm & Fleet. Also, if you could find barley hay i really think that helps regulate algea alot! Try to find this stuff at a hardware store if you dont have the store that i just mentioned above. Good Luck

 

If you need cheap 55 gallon drums for water storage, you can check out ebkcontainers

 

OR, you can go to the nearest Pepsi/Coke plant and pick a plastic drum up for 5 bucks - maybe free.

fred

 

For what it's worth, I purchased a rain barrel from TSC, It has a hose connection built into the design that allows you to add a hose for draining purposes. I have on occasion, had to fill it up with city water and allow it to sit for 2 days till the chlorine burns off. Then I attach a hose and it drains into the pond slowly. Once I'm done, I use the test kit for chlorine and adjust the water if needed. E-mail me if you like for more information. Hope it goes well. (fwiderick@rogers.com)

 

You probably didnt loose your Koi from the addition of water. In that size of a pond you can add 2-4" of water without any problem or add de-chlorine chem. and you will be fine. Your were only adding in about 1-200 gallons.