FAQs
Can BeneKoi® be used on natural pond and lake?
The ecosystem of natural ponds and lakes (non-manmade) involves many environmental factors such as billions of natural species of bacteria, fungi, viruses, diverse living organisms from single celled creatures to animals such as fish to humans, and many species of plants. All these living things interact to form a natural balanced pond habitat.
Adding BeneKoi to this kind of environment may help to create a better living environment for your fish by helping to digest sludge and other biological waste products. But you may not achieve a better appearance and greater aesthetics of your natural pond even when BeneKoi is applied according to directions.
BeneKoi works best for man-made water gardens and ponds with goldfish, koi, and other aquatic animals and plants.
BeneKoi is not recommended for manure pools for live stock.
How does BeneKoi®clarify your cloudy pond water?
BeneKoi® works by combining suspended particulate matter including organic and inorganic particles for easier removal by a filtration system.
Can I use BeneKoi® indoors in my fish tank?
BeneKoi® does not produce hydrogen sulfide (toxic sewage gas) when digesting waste products and therefore it is safe to use indoors to jumpstart any aquarium filtration system. The product also does not require sunlight to be effective.
Do I need to do a partial water change before adding treatment?
No, you can add BeneKoi® directly into your existing pond water.
How do I store BeneKoi®?
Store sealed in dry place at room temperature not exceeding 105F (40 C). Do not allow product to become wet or moist prior to use. Do not freeze.
How does BeneKoi help in The Nitrogen Cycle Paradox?
Unhealthy conditions develop in nitrates-rich water, a condition known as the Nitrogen Cycle Paradox. Naturally removes ammonia, nitrates and nitrites in the pond by digesting fish wastes, uneaten food, fallen leaves and rotting vegetable material. When unhealthy conditions are removed, you will be able to see your beautiful koi swimming in your clear pond.
To learn more about the effects of nitrates, please view Nitrogen Cycle Paradox.
How does BeneKoi® keep eliminates green water?
By assimilating fish wastes, fallen leaf material, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate, BeneKoi® bacteria eliminates green water conditions that favors algae blooms. It also contains the enzyme cellulase that breaks down cellulose materials like algae, leaves and twigs.
How does BeneKoi® keep fish healthy?
BeneKoi® works by quickly removing the toxic biological wastes produced by fish and rotting materials to greatly improve water quality. With better water quality, fish secretes much lower quantities of stress hormones that may otherwise reduce the ability of fish to fight disease. As a probiotic, BeneKoi® also helps the speedy recover of fish from minor scrapes, wounds, injuries, and acute stress from new fish additions and changes in the pond environment, by boosting the immune system of the fish.
Please see BeneKoi Usage for different Booster condition.
How does BeneKoi® prevent koi ulcers and other bacterial-related maladies?
When adminstrated properly, Benekoi has the proven ability to remove chemicals that lead to disease conditions that support the development of koi ulcers and other bacterial-related maladies caused by Pseudomonas and Aeromonas bacteria.
BeneKoi® also works by quickly removing the toxic biological wastes produced by fish and rotting materials to greatly improve water quality. With better water quality, fish secretes much lower quantities of stress hormones that may otherwise reduce the ability of fish to fight disease. As a probiotic, BeneKoi® also helps the speedy recover of fish from minor scrapes, wounds, injuries, and acute stress from new fish additions and changes in the pond environment, by boosting the immune system of the fish.
How fast does BeneKoi® work?
BeneKoi® begins working as soon as it is applied to your pond. BeneKoi® will multiply in your pond and filtration system to digest toxic fish wastes and maintain fish health without expensive chemicals. In warmer water conditions it is a good control of soluble wastes and it reduces cloudiness in a few days to a week depending on the condition of your pond.
How often do I need to clean the filters when I use BeneKoi?
With BeneKoi, you can afford to delay rinsing out the filter system every 6 months or 1 year. If your filter is clogged (reduced flow), you can first try to reduce feeding before cleaning the filters.
By rinsing the filter too often you will remove the beneficial bacteria in BeneKoi and the life sustaining factors from your filter.
How should I handle BeneKoi®?
BeneKoi® is not toxic and completely safe. However, BeneKoi® is a microbial product and simple hygiene practices are recommended with use. Do not ingest this product. Inhalation and direct skin contact should be avoided.
Dust protection for eyes, nose and mouth should be used. In event of direct skin or eye contact, flush the affected area with water. If irritation persists, contact your physician.
How to maintain optimal condition for BeneKoi® to work?
BeneKoi® works best for man-made water gardens and ponds with goldfish, koi, and other aquatic animals and plants. BeneKoi is not recommended for manure pools for live stock. Please seeFAQ for how BeneKoi works in a natural pond.
The following are suggestions to help you to ensure Benekoi works optimally in your pond:
• Reduce feeding of fish for up to a week to allow the natural breakdown of the suspended organic waste products,
Increase aeration to the pond by using an air pump or increasing your waterfall flow,
• Do not back flush/rinse out your filter during treatment. Please see FAQ on how often filters should be cleaned when BeneKoi is used,
• Ensure that your filter is not clogged or restricted,
• Do not add any other bacterial products or algae treatment,
• Be patient.
Many factors affect the aesthetics and appearance of a pond. Some ponds will never enjoy clear water because of the way it was built. You need to consult your pond builder to correct any potential problems that lead to poor water conditions.
Although you may not see visible changes in the short term, you have provided a better environment for your fish. Your fish will grow more lively and healthier which is always the first sign that BeneKoi is working.
Is BeneKoi® affected by salt?
No, BeneKoi® will continue to be active under marine (high salt) conditions.
Is BeneKoi® compatible with other bacterial products?
No, it is not compatible with other bacterial products. You may notice your pond water turning brown with a drastic increase in turbidity. This is a normal reaction.
If other bacterial products were used, you need to continue treatment with BeneKoi® at full strength once a week for the next three weeks to restore ecological balance in your pond.
Is BeneKoi® genetically-modified (GMO) bacteria?
BeneKoi® is a mixture of naturally occurring, harmless microbial strains that are NOT genetically-modified (non GMO).
Is BeneKoi® safe around animals and humans?
It is harmless and does not affect pets, beneficial insects, fish, tadpoles, birds, other animals, plants, or human. It is neither a poison nor a pesticide. It does not contain the Bacillus cereus or hydrogen sulfide-gas-producing strains.
Should I turn off the UV system?
Yes, it is recommended that you turn off the UV system during treatment for at least 4 hours.
What about oxygen levels in the pond?
BeneKoi® can help improve oxygen levels in the pond by digesting accumulated pond sludge from fallen leaves, fish and bird wastes, and other organic and inorganic nutrient runoff from surrounding watershed. BeneKoi® remains active at zero or low oxygen levels especially at the bottom of ponds where other nitrifying bacteria fail to work.
What is the dosage?
Please click to read BeneKoi Dosage.
What is the shelf life of BeneKoi®?
When properly stored, BeneKoi® will remain viable indefinitely. However, it is most active when used within 2 years.
What kind of test kit to test for ammonia and nitrite in the pond?
Most pet store ammonia test kits have the lowest test limit at 0.2 ppm (mg/L) that shows a zero read. This is not an accurate reading. Use test kits with lower ammonia limits of less than 0.05 ppm (mg/L).
Ammonia is extremely toxic and even relatively low levels pose a threat to fish health. Ammonia needs to be quickly converted to nitrite. Most test kits will accurately test for ammonia up to 6 ppm (mg/L). A safe reading should be at zero ppm. However, extended exposure to low levels of nitrite can lead to fish stress and is often linked with stress-related diseases such as bacterial ulcers and red streaking.
When do I need to a booster applications of BeneKoi®?
Booster applications of BeneKoi® is required when any of the followings occur:
• addition of new fish or plants,
• increased fish feeding,
• temperature fluctuations,
• recently cleaned filtration system,
• changes in pond filtration system,
• use of medication or chemicals in the water,
• too much algae or sludge in the pond,
• pond water temperature is too low (<65F),
• poor aeration or filtration systems for the pond, or is a natural pond.
(Please see FAQ on how BeneKoi works on a natural pond.)
Why is my pond always murky and smells bad?
Inadequate filtration, high fish loads, bacteria blooms, too much rotting leaves, overfeeding, too much fish wastes, can all contribute to murky ponds and bad smells.
BeneKoi® can help you fix these problems quickly. However, in addition to the BeneKoi® treatment, it maybe wise to removed excess rotting materials, reduce the number of fish, and/or upgrade your filtration system.
To learn more about the effects of nitrates, please view Nitrogen Cycle Paradox.