You've got a koi pond in your backyard, and honestly? That's the easy part. Keeping it clear, balanced, and full of healthy fish—that's where most people hit a wall. The good news is that Glendale's climate actually works in your favor. You're not dealing with frozen ponds for half the year. But you do need to adjust your care routine as the seasons shift, because what works in July will stress your fish in December.
Let's start with feeding, since that's where we see the most mistakes. Koi are temperature-driven eaters. When your water's sitting above 60°F—which is most of spring and summer here—they're hungry, active, and growing. That's when you want a high-protein food, somewhere in the 35-40% range. Feed them two or three times a day, but only what they'll finish in about five minutes. If there's food floating around after that, you're overfeeding. And uneaten food doesn't just disappear—it breaks down, clouds your water, and kicks off algae blooms you don't want to deal with.
Once fall rolls in and temps drop below 60°F, switch to a wheat germ-based food. It's easier on their digestion as their metabolism slows. By the time you're hitting 50°F, stop feeding entirely. Koi go semi-dormant in winter. Their digestive system basically shuts down, and feeding them can actually cause more harm than good. We know it feels wrong to stop, but trust us—they're fine. One of our clients in Glendale kept feeding through December last year because "they looked hungry," and ended up with sick fish and a water quality nightmare by January.
Now, filtration. This is the part people underestimate. Your filter system isn't just keeping the water clear—it's running the entire ecosystem. You need three layers working together: mechanical filtration to pull out leaves and debris, biological filtration to handle ammonia and nitrites (the stuff that'll kill your fish), and a UV clarifier to knock down algae. In Glendale's warm, sunny weather, beneficial bacteria thrive, but so does algae. A solid UV clarifier during summer is worth every penny.
Here's the maintenance rhythm: rinse your mechanical filters regularly, but never—and we mean never—rinse your bio-media with tap water. Chlorine will wipe out all the beneficial bacteria you've spent months building up. Use pond water instead. Check your pumps every couple weeks for clogs, especially in fall when leaves start dropping. And top off evaporated water with dechlorinated or conditioned water, not straight from the hose. Summer evaporation here is no joke.
Seasonal care doesn't have to be complicated. In spring, clean out any winter debris, check your equipment, and ease back into feeding as the water warms up. Summer's all about managing heat—add some floating plants or lilies for shade, keep an aerator running to boost oxygen, and test your water weekly. Fall means skimming leaves daily (seriously, don't let them pile up), transitioning to lighter food, and making sure your filters are clean before winter. And in winter? Just watch your fish occasionally, make sure there's some water movement for gas exchange if it gets unusually cold, and otherwise leave them alone.
The ponds that give people the least trouble are the ones designed right from the start—proper depth, good flow, and filtration that matches the fish load. But even if you inherited a pond that's less than ideal, dialing in your seasonal routine will get you most of the way there. We've spent years building and maintaining ponds around Glendale, and the difference between a pond that's a joy and one that's a headache usually comes down to consistency. Not perfection—just showing up with the right approach for the season you're in.
If your filtration's struggling or you're not sure where you stand going into a new season, we're around to help. No hard sell—just real advice based on what actually works in this climate. Your koi will thank you, and you'll get your weekends back.
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