As you raise your pet Koi, you need to have the necessary filtration system for the pond. The Koi is sensitive to the pond's water quality compared to all the other fishes out there, so you need to consider when it comes to having a filter in your outdoor pond.

The filter is an equipment that helps in controlling the biological balance within the pond. What it does is that it removes the waste coming from the Koi. In the wild, the waste that comes from the fish is being removed through the water volume of the area, and through the water's current as well. So, when the fish is placed in your pond which is a controlled environment, they need to have this natural function too. There are two types of filtration systems: the biological and the mechanical. The biological filter depends on the bacteria to break down those toxic wastes such as ammonia (or pH) into nitrates which are less harmful substances (while it's just normal to have continuous amounts of pH on a low level, it can also impose harm to the Koi in high levels). Nitrates are also harmful to the Koi when they come in large amounts.

A good filter for your pond will still be able to work properly without the use of a pump to force the water through to it. As the pond is a big area, the filter's strength isn't able to circulate the water just on its own. The pump pushes the water and also the one that circulates the water through the pond. Also, add-ons like waterfall and those small fountain can be put in your pond, stirring up water and allowing oxygen from the air to be folded into pond's water (this process is called aeration). Keep in mind that it's very important to have a constant supply of oxygen for the fish.

It's also necessary to test the water's chemical make up on a weekly basis, and this can be done in two ways. First option is to bring a sample of the water coming from the pond to a local pet store and get it tested for you, and the second option is that you can purchase those home testing kits and test the water yourself. You should keep the chemical mixture of the water at a normal level for your pets all the time.

Maintenance is always needed for your own Koi garden. It takes just minimal amount of time and effort to maintain your Koi pond, and having vital systems in it like the filter is one of the things that pond owners really need to have. Having a healthy and magnificent Koi garden (combined with the elegant and beautiful Koi in your pond) makes the hobby of Koi keeping really a rewarding one!