Built a 250 gallon pond and the fish are dying
The pond has a PVC liner with river rocks at the bottom. Chemicals are okay. pH runs high 7.8 - 8.2. I keep adding pH Down as directed. I added Stress Coat and a beneficial bacteria mix to set it up. Plants are doing okay. Tank is populated with 12 bait-store minnows. 11 died. 3 4-inch goldfish. One died. And 2 6-year-old "goldfish" that may be koi and used to live in a 55 gallon aquarium in the house. The dead fish all had a white sliminess to them. The living fish sit on the bottom or in the water hyacinths and don't eat. Their fins are close to their bodies and one of the large fish has developed red streaks on his fins. Help! I love these guys.
Answers:Stop with the pH down 7.8-8.2 is fine for an outdoor pond. pH down is a huge irritant to the fish and could be the culprit. i have a 5000 gallon pond and thats right about where my pH is and remember it changes from dawn to dusk so depending when you take your reading will give different results. It is a new pond as you said so simply adding the bacteria wont just skip the cycling process. Best be now is to just leave it be. Stop with the chemicals and let the pond cycle dont need to add to the stress the fish are having by adding pH down when i can almost promise that the pH of your pond is not the main concern. Id be more suspiciuus of ammonia and nitrites right now.
If you want to add anything to the pond id reccomend more carbon filtration and a UV sterilizer not pH down. Your pH is fine.
When I first set up my pond first where dying right and left. After time the pond, I guess "established" itself and I haven't lost one fish since. I suppose it's like an indoor aquarium and the water must cycle. Also, a fish used to living in a clean indoor aquarium might not be able to make the transition to an outdoor pond, I think it's best to accustom fish to this when they are young.
my friend has a has a pond similar to yours and the water looks crystal clear and he has lots of plants.
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