PH & KH ISSUES | SHIRO UTSURI NOT HAPPY | Mid Week Catch Up #6

Welcome to another quick Mid Week Catch Up video. I have been having some water chemistry issues with the KH levels causing the PH to drop. My shiro utsuri is one seriously unhappy Koi fish.. So I added some Bicarb to the pond after a good filter clean and got the PH back up.
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Pond Stats:-
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[@KoiChronicles]

Good morning Dave, and great update #SuperEasy capture of the koi with the basket. All the best and wishing the shiro and enjoy the basket Sir. #PondPro🛒🙏⛩️🈂️KC

[@dkoitv7863]

Thanks mate. Really happy with the basket. Future scrapes will be a doddle. Take care fella 👍🏻

[@thepeoplespond]

Glad you found the issue 👍 Totally agree with what you saying Gin clear is for the keeper really to watch fish I’ve seen ponds full of algae and you couldn’t see the bottom and the koi are thriving

[@dkoitv7863]

Yes mate totally agree.

[@andrewsuckling2271]

Hi Dave. The beneficial bacteria in your filters use KH to help it convert ammonia to nitrite to nitrate. So the heavier the biological load the more KH the bacteria use. Hopefully the bi-carb and trickle in/out will help prevent this in the future. I also have a bag of oyster shells in my my filter to help naturally boost the KH. All the best.

[@dkoitv7863]

Yes after extensive studying in KH i think this has been the issue. I also swapped the media in the shower 3 months ago. The Sera siporax that was in there was years old. However this is the first pond i have had that I have overstocked. So time for some fish to go. Looking back on my older videos I 2 years ago the fish have doubled in size.

[@carollycett1329]

Naughty Dave always test everything every week , Yorkshire water been adding extra stuff to water, since last year my vyair decholinater was working fine now struggling with high levels of chlorine etc changed filters cartridges again. Hope the Shiro gets better cause she is a lovely fish stay safe 🙏🐟🐟🐟🐟🙏

[@dkoitv7863]

Never bother Carol. My fish tell me when to test my water but i never check KH. Will check that every week going forward 👌🏻👍🏻. You take care.

[@martystules8567]

Sounds like a further update there, a visit to Steve's pond for a walk around Dave, great update, stay safe bro

[@dkoitv7863]

Literally just about to message Cat and Steve for a future pond visit video hahaha

[@richardbrunton2068]

Cheers Dave👍

[@dkoitv7863]

Cheers Rich 👍

[@dannycurrie1]

Thanks for posting. Going to check my kh right now. Hope the shiro recovers it's a stunning fish.

[@dkoitv7863]

Loads of my comments aren't showing on videos but found these under comment section. Sorry mate thanks for watching.

[@progressivepondkeeping]

Right that's me down the pond checking pH & kh hopefully she goes on the mend now mate. That chaps ezpond was lovely and the plaque was really nice 👌👍

[@dkoitv7863]

Leon yes it was and I can't stress how nice the little metallic koi where he bred 👍🏻

[@progressivepondkeeping]

@@dkoitv7863 hopefully he will send you a picture or video we can have a look at some point 👍

[@richardwalker6647]

My tap water has low everything so I have to use oyster shells to keep it buffered & it works .

[@boxtriker]

Was talking to James on this start of the week my Kh is always low and has been in all my years hear with a garden pond then a Koi pond I have had to add Bicarb right from the start and now add about a cup full every 2 to 3 weeks summer and about each month winter

[@dkoitv7863]

Was never an issue for me fella. Never, I tell you what i won't be leaving it off the schedule ever again. That's for sure, can destroy your bio filtration in no time. Been doing some serious studies on KH now 🤣

[@nicholasmills620]

As they say battery acid is gin clear.. hope fish recovers, check KH of the tap water.. Kh is the buffer for ph, bi carb will always balance the ph back to 8.4.. I run my pond only from rain water and dose my pond with bi carb weekly, one cup a week,ph is always around 7.8 even in summer when it hits 40c. If your KH is good you never have to worry about PH.

[@dkoitv7863]

Battery acid how true! Yes I tested source from tap for both PH & KH. Fact is I just never looked at KH ever and the effects it has on PH in a short space.... I will be more vigilant of KH going forward..

[@goldencorndiarys1458]

Glad you sorted the problem fingers crossed she will be on the mend ,so I am expecting my next delivery of koi masters advantage to be hand delivered I am not far only Bristol 🤣🤣 lovely plaque and pond ,have a fab weekend x

[@dkoitv7863]

ONLY Bristol 🤣 will see you next Wednesday or Thursday i have a couple of meetings in Gloucester next week. Haha. Have a great weekend yourself 👍🏻

[@goldencorndiarys1458]

@@dkoitv7863 if you are ever in Bristol or near you are more then welcome to call in for a brew and see my old school pond x

[@dkoitv7863]

@@goldencorndiarys1458 thank you very much for the kind offer will bear it in mind cheers 👍🏻

[@KoiRun50]

Good catch and very good info in regards to the importance of maintaining a good KH level. Hope she gets better from here on.

[@dkoitv7863]

Me too thanks for watching 👍🏻

[@davemead4504]

I’ve had issues with kh as well Dave. I had really low readings yet my ph seemed ok. Couple of treatments later and it’s looking a lot better! Great video Dave

[@dkoitv7863]

I hope I get mine under control too. Cheers

[@yorkshirekoi7063]

Great video glad you found the problem if you can’t find the problem chris will find it been and got some more eggs today of his showa spawning so will keep me even more busy but hopefully the shiro makes a turn now happy ponding

[@dkoitv7863]

Very nearly took a trip to get some myself but I have so much on at the minute...

[@tomferguson5368]

Hope the shiro makes a speedy recovery mate

[@dkoitv7863]

Yes me too she is literally up there on my favourite fish ladder

[@zmikemj]

KH is always a heads up for me virtually out of the tap its zero on the trickle in like your self bicarb is at hand but i dnt push it no higher than 3 as iv found it gives my ph more stability 7.5 7.6

[@dkoitv7863]

Mike this is the comment I have been waiting on... Pushing my KH towards 6 has given me very high PH... I will be dropping it back a bit.. Thank you

[@slifer4569]

Hi Dave, I have has issued with KH as my tap water is roughly Zero. Have you ever tried a product like ENVII Pond Equaliser that claims to buffer pH and KH? Great video and beautiful fish.

[@dkoitv7863]

No I use KoiMasters Advantage which usually buffers it. However due to my fish doubling in size and stocking levels it isn't coping I only have 2200 gallons. The bicarbonate soda is working a treat for me and the shiro is on the mend. I just need a bigger pond lol.... Thank you for the kind comment

[@marekskoipond9083]

I've suffered same thing ph/kh low reading's last couple of seasons, went years no problems with ph/kh, I've now become OCD about ph/kh, so much so I've invested in bluelabs guardian monitor, gives me visual ph reading everytime I enter filter shed, I'm not so stressed now, also worth testing dpd4 for chloramines, as that can cause veining and redness, hope shiro gets better, cracking koi.

[@dkoitv7863]

Will certainly be taking a keener interest in those readings going forward.

[@CATANDEYEKOI]

Bit of a shocker with the Shiro mate, hope to see it in better shape soon. Cheers

[@dkoitv7863]

Nightmare Steve, she's one of my favourites as well..... Drive you crazy

[@neilmurchison7660]

Watching this has intrigued me to go check mine now as I had a tancho sanke showing almost similar symptoms other week but thought I had cured it with water change. Easy to over look these things I guess and as you say every day is a school day . Hope the shiro gets back to tip top condition buddy . All the best

[@dkoitv7863]

Come back and let me know how you get on..... Yes mate I hope we are on the road to recovery...

[@neilmurchison7660]

@@dkoitv7863 sorry for long reply been busy working away all week. Couldn’t identify an issue other that nitrate spike but all sorted now. Think the temps have had the fish in variable moods and colour changes recently which has been interesting to observe too

[@LauMagroTheFrenchKOInection]

I know your fish are large and you feed them nicely, but don't you think that the amount of rain has been the cause of that crash? Good to raise again the awareness of testing everything

[@dkoitv7863]

Maybe so it certainly won't have helped. However we have hardly had any for a few weeks. Would we not of seen an issue earlier. Plus the pond is nearly 3 years old and we have had serious flooding here in previous years with no issues. Either way i will be monitoring KH more closely and moving some fish on. Thanks for dropping by Lau.

[@LauMagroTheFrenchKOInection]

@@dkoitv7863 yes you would have seen it earlier. Do you normally suffer with fluctuation in KH? I have to say, I am guilty of not testing the KH and pH every week. I do Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate twice a week but pH and KH I don't every other week.

[@dkoitv7863]

@@LauMagroTheFrenchKOInection I never do water tests unless my fish give me reason too. However KH is one that needs to be monitored.

[@LauMagroTheFrenchKOInection]

@@dkoitv7863 hope you can get it sorted Dave. Have a nice weekend.

[@zmikemj]

interested as to where stev got them plaques from if you could let me know

[@dkoitv7863]

All he said was someone down south lol... I will try and get in touch with Steve for you.

[@gwatsongw]

Stupidly low kh on my pond buddy a kh of 2 but my ph is constant at 7.5 so I just keep it as it is

[@dkoitv7863]

If it ain't broke don't fix it Captain. Hope you're well 👍🏻

[@gwatsongw]

@@dkoitv7863 My thoughts exactly Dave 👍 All good here buddy hope the same with you and your family...stay safe 🙏

[@andrewduffy3235]

Morning Dave, another good update, what website do i order koi masters advantage for you to get commission?

[@dkoitv7863]

Just eBay fella but it's sold out Chris can't keep up with it. More being made as we speak will be back next week hopefully. 👍🏻

[@andrewduffy3235]

@@dkoitv7863 OK cool, [e-mail] Let me know seller details or item number and I'll keep eye out, all about supporting Dkoitv 😍😍

[@paulmacefield6134]

Hi Dave yet another great video how much bicarbonate of soda per 1000 gallons

[@dkoitv7863]

I added a cup full to 2200 Gallon will test in the morning and add more if required.

[@Kev-Jan]

Dave the wall plaques are great, could you let me know where you purchased these from.. poorly looking girl

[@dkoitv7863]

I got them from Facebook market place in all honesty. She is looking a little better today but more importantly she is acting more like her old self. 👍🏻

[@davidbale1297]

Hi Dave I'm having the same problem with my ph and can't seem to get on top of it, I've added a pH buffer but this does not seem to solve the problem. Is the bicarb you mentioned the same as you can buy at the supermarkets and how does it help I would appreciate your advice.

[@dkoitv7863]

Yes Bicarbonate of Soda. Not baking powder. However have you tested the KH levels in the pond? This is the main cause of my PH issues and your bio filter needs it. There is a good article here kitsukoi.co.uk/blogs/guides-and-tips/what-is-kh-and-why-is-it-important

[@davidbale1297]

Hi Dave sorry to be a pain but I need to pick your brains, what rate of bicarbonate of soda do you add to your pond ?. I've never used it before, my pond is just under 2000 gallons.

[@dkoitv7863]

@@davidbale1297 not being a pain at all fella. I just add a small cup. Then leave it a day and test. Then add more if required 👍🏻

[@iainbusbridge9585]

Never tried them but they use oster shells in Japan to keep the ph and kh stable.

[@dkoitv7863]

Yes have seen them in filters but you need a substantial amount and I am shy on room..

[@marekskoipond9083]

@@dkoitv7863 oyster shell grit for chickens, once you've got kh stable with bi carb, put grit into small fine mesh bag and hang in clean side of your nexus/easy pod, don't need a lot of the grit, about a pound in weight, the grit is more soluble than the shells.

[@philiphastings8999]

Add some oyster shells in you’re bakki shower

[@dkoitv7863]

Will do thanks.

[@philiphastings8999]

You can buy of eBay £32 for 5 kilo it’s not much when it comes but I’ve only used half for 7200 ltr pond I’m also over stocked and I hammer my fish with food growth colour silkworm pupea fresh mussels and prawns and my PH is 7.5 and my water parameters are fine I also have a trickle water system 👍good luck it takes a few weeks before they start working but last a long time so good value for the money means you’re not adding buffers all the time 💪😷🙏

[@dkoitv7863]

@@philiphastings8999 will get on it fella i had heard of oyster shells to be fair been in the game long enough just never thought of using them. Thanks bud 👍🏻

[@gazzaellisx]

Aup mate doesn't your clay raise your pH.

[@dkoitv7863]

Yes the advantage does balance it but this time of year with the amount of fish I have and the feed I am throwing in, I have just fubard the water it would appear.......