Hi muffin,

Here's is an excellent article on why to quarantine:
http://www.koivet.com/html/articles/...t%20 Articles

what is the directions?
(ok, for my first pond stocking..... I know its gonna be wrong, but will
probably get most fish same time & not quarantine them, but need above info
for when I 'add' future fish)

It is okay to put new fish into a new pond without prior residents. The
only problem is if there is a problem with the fish you won't know if it
was something that came with the fish or a problem with the pond. I try to
get folks to set up their quarantine situation, and buy fish while in the
process of digging. This way they learn all about water quality, filtration
and much more while digging.

Once your new fish have adjusted to the pond (without a quarantine period
elsewhere). Set up a quarantine tank and buy 2 more fish, wait 3-4 weeks
and if all is well, take one of the original fish from the pond (the one
you least like) and put it in with the new ones. Wait another 3-4 weeks, if
everyone is happy they can all go back in the pond. If the new ones die and
the pond fish lives, the ones you orginally purchased may be carriers of a
virus. If your pond fish dies and the new ones lives, I'd suspect them of a
virus. All diagnostics are off if at any time you lost water quality. ;o)

Now isn't this a fun hobby you've gotten yourself into to? ) ~ jan

See my ponds and filter design:
http://users.owt.com/jjspond/

~Keep 'em Wet!~
Tri-Cities WA Zone 7a
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