Are you need koi keeping equipment?

What sort of equipment do you need for daily keeping koi? Although it is not possible to write down all that covers every contingency, we can take some basic equipment that every hobbyist needs to handle routine tasks and most common problems.

There is water testing
Water testing is an essential part of healthy koi-keeping and general fish-keeping. Regardless of what type of water test-kit is used, it is important that testing is undertaken regularly. It is also important to keep a record of the readings. This gives a documented history of the pond, showing up seasonal fluctuations, any anomalies and the possible causes of any problems. As well as the results of each test, record the date and time of day they were carried out. Testing should be carried out weekly and more often if the pond is new, medicated or disturbed in any way. The basic tests that all koi-keepers should carry out are for temperature, pH, ammonia, nitrite, dissolved oxygen, hardness and nitrate.

Capture and treatment of koi
It is wonderful how many hobbyist do not own a proper net. We need to catch our fish at some time. Taking a fish out of a pond is potentially possible should be done to reduce the risk of stress and damage. The wrong type (too small, flexible or of poor quality materials or design) makes catching koi a stressful exercise - for both you and your fish. Worse still, it can lead to serious physical damage if fish are knocked or fins and scales are caught. The net should be a shallow-pan type of at least 24-inch diameter, with a long, firm handle that doesn't flex when the net is moved through the water.
Koi should not be lifted out of the pond in a net - it is to be used for confining and guiding them to the side of the pond where they should be encouraged to swim into a floating bowl or basket. These can be bought from specialist koi outlets although I have seen some effective home-made ones. A floating basket confines the koi, allowing examination without having to remove it from the pond. A koi sock-net, a long narrow net with an open bottom, makes koi handling safe and easy!
If the koi has to be removed from the pond for treatment it is important to have at least two large treatment bowls. An air-pump is essential as aeration is needed with most medications.

Koi first aid
Even with the best-designed and managed pond there will be possible that some time getting problem there. It is no good waiting until the problem arises and then desperately running about trying to get hold of equipment and treatments. Every koi-keeper should have a basic first-aid kit, which should be kept out of reach of children. A baby's changing mat makes an ideal treatment surface for koi, being soft and less likely to remove mucus than a damp towel.
Commonly, you will also need cotton buds, cotton wool, towel or napkins, paper towels, a small and large pair of sharp scissors and a pair of tweezers or forceps. The first-aid kit should also contain an iodine-based topical antiseptic (eg Vetark Tamodine), a wound dressing e.g. Boots Orabase) and Marinol Blue or Roccal for cleaning out wounds. There are other products that are also suitable. It is worth considering the purchase of a good magnifying glass for close inspection of wounds. Last but not least is the good old stand-by, a big bag (usually 25 kg) of cooking salt.

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