Why Do I Need To Do Regular Water Changes?

Water changes in a koi pond are essential for effective pond management, especially when there are problems with ammonia or nitrite levels in the water. One factor that contributes to the accumulation of these harmful chemicals is evaporation. As water evaporates from a confined space like a koi pond, it leaves many pollutants behind. Although beneficial bacteria in the pond work tirelessly to break down these harmful compounds through the nitrogen cycle, they often struggle to control the increasing levels of pollution. Therefore, performing partial water changes is beneficial, as it helps these bacteria maintain stability within the pond’s ecosystem.

Unfortunately, poor water quality is a leading factor in the spread of disease and mortality among fish in koi ponds. Improving water quality can be significantly achieved through water changes. Simply adding water to compensate for evaporation—known as “topping off”—is not regarded as a proper water change, as this method does not eliminate any pollutants. The aim should be to reduce the levels of harmful substances in the water of your pond.

Each week, 10-20% of the pond water is drained and replaced with fresh water from the tap using a Dechlorinator. Chlorine can be harmful to both fish and beneficial bacteria. There are various effective chlorine neutralizing products available on our website We would recommend  Evolution Aqua Detox Dechlorinator.