Are you interested in Koi shows?  Here are a few coming up this year!

Feb 9-10

Valley of the Sun Koi Show

combined with Chinese Cultural Center Festival,

40th St in Phoenix, AZ Contact: Karin @ birdlady3@cox.net

Feb 23-24

Koi Club of San Diego’s

26th Annual Koi Show, Del Mar Fairgrounds

http://koiclubsandiego.org/

** March 8-10

Central Florida Koi Show 2013

Orlando at the International Palms

http://cfks.org

March 17-18

38th ZNA So Cal Koi Show,

Gardina Civic Center -

http://znasocal.org

Oct. 4-6

S. C. Koi & Goldfish Show,

Simpsonville, S.C., Contact:  Jim Suerth, Co-Chair

864-879-1369

Here are some steps and suggested supplies to prepare your pond for Hurricane Sandy.

During storms, your fish will most likely move low in your pond so it is very important to keep aeration running.   In heavy rain the water column will flip; bottom water will go up, top water (full of oxygen) will go down.   This is known as Pond Stratification.  Without aeration, especially in deeper ponds,  the fish may suffocate as the bottom water moves to the uppers surface where fish usually swim.

For more information on Pond Stratification, here is a good link from Ohio State University http://ohioline.osu.edu/a-fact/0007.html.

Hurricane Sandy will provide heavy rain–prepare for pond stratification by using your aerators through the storm.

Prepare for Hurricane Sandy

• Test your present water quality parameters to get your baseline numbers on pH, Hardness, ammonia, etc.
• Remove anything around your pond that can blow in, such as chairs, tables, umbrellas and potted plants.
• Ensure the pond is sufficiently buffered (high hardness) as the water (acid rain) will affect your pH. While I am not personally a fan of using baking soda, in an emergency, use 1 cup of baking soda per 1000 gallons of water. Buffering a pond will protect the pH from crashing. Adding baking soda at this rate will increase your pH to approx 8.4. Keep that in mind so you can adjust after the storm.
• Reduce runnoff–if possible, from your rain gutters from going into your pond as it contains things, such as leaves and dirt, etc.
• Cover your pond with a net, secured with stakes.
• Stop feeding the fish. This will reduce waste and ammonia productions should the filtration be compromised. They will be fine if you do not feed them.
• Tie things down. If you cannot move / put away things which can blow around, secure them with bungee cords, rope, etc.

Protect the pond power.

Get a generator to keep the circulation and air pumps running.  If you cannot get a generator, you can get creative based on your situation.  Inverters, Universal Power Supply (UPS) used for computers, marine batteries may be good alternatives.

Suggested supplies.

Ammonia test kit / strips
Nitrite test kit / strips
KH/TA test kit / strips
Baking soda
Pond Salt
Ammonia binding dechlorinator
Activated charcoal
Koi clay (calcium bentonite)
Net to cover the pond
Power Generator, inverter, etc.
Sand bags to protect the pond from runoff.
PVC pipe, fittings, glue, etc. to make repairs if necessary
Extra air stones and air pumps with appropriate size tubing.

After Hurricane Sandy, clean up as normal and the water quality of your pond.  Adjust the pond water as necessary to get the pond to it’s pre-storm quality.

What is a mineral?

In Koi food, it is the ash content.  Minerals are inorganic chemicals which fish need for various metabolic functions.   Minerals help build their skeletal structures, nerves and allow for the exchange of gases the blood system.

What types of minerals should be in koi food?

These are the common types of minerals found in koi food:  copper, manganese, zinc, iodine, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium and selenium.   In commercial koi food, it is normal to see the mineral ash content in the 12-14 percent range.

Where else do koi obtain minerals?

Koi will find trace amounts of minerals in the water in which they swim.  Koi will absorb these minerals through their gills.

Minerals in koi food for proper nutrition:

Without proper minerals in koi food, your koi could suffer.

Without proper nutrition your koi could suffer bone deformities, loss of appetite, loss of muscle tone, obesity, skin problems, and anemia.  Typically these problems are all associated with mineral and vitamin deficiencies.   Use care when feeding your fish.  Check the label and do not feed them food low in minerals or with a corn content (this is like eating fast foods for humans).   Feed them high quality, wheat germ based food and they will have the best chance at staying healthy well into their twenties and beyond!

Prepare to winterize your pond

Winterize Waterfalls:

Shut off and remove your pump (store indoors) when ice begins to form. This will protect your pump and stop ice damns from building which will create loss of water into your pond.

Winterize UV Lights:

Remove the light system and store indoors. Perform all required maintenance so the UV light system is ready for the next season. Don’t forget to change the bulbs per the manufacturer recommendation.

Use Heaters to Winterize your pond:

Heaters should be used to keep a hole open in the ice. There are two basic types, which are floating and submersible. Most small pond owners use submersible heaters while others use the floating type as it is easier to reach (place and remove).

Preparing to winterize – Plant Care:

Hardy plants should be trimmed to about five inches after Columbus Day and placed in deeper water.

Aquatic grasses such as Cattails, rushes or reeds should only be trimmed back about 18 inches and remain in shallow water.

Water Irises should not be moved in deep water and should their pots should only be covered with 3-4 inches of water.

Lillies and Oxygenators should stay in deep water (18 to 36 inches), as long as they remain below the ice level. Trim all leaves and stems so they will not foul the water (decaying plant matter).

Tropical plants: Bring them indoors! Some people bring in their floating plants–this is fine but they need fresh water (and do best with an aerator for dissolved oxygen). Most floating plants are a challenge and are typically discarded each season. Be sure to inspect all plants before bringing them indoors to prevent unwanted ‘pests’.

Preparing to winterize - Fish Care: Check your water temperature daily before feeding.

When the water temp is around 60 degrees, it is time to switch over to wheat-germ based food. Stop feeding your fish when water temperature is near 50 degrees. Do not be tempted to feed your fish during warm spells as their metabolism has slowed and the food you feed them will not digest–it will rot in their digestive system.

Use Aeration to Winterize your Pond :

Fish require aeration–year round! Moving water will not freeze as easily and is less expensive to run than heaters. Aeration will help keep the water moving and keep a hole open in the ice to allow gases to escape.

Note: Do NOT break the ice, this will kill the fish.

When you winterize your pond, plants, pumps and heaters, your fish will do well over the winter and will be healthy in the spring!

On Thursday, October 4th from 11:00 PM until 3:00 AM PDT, our shopping cart solution (Volusion) will be conducting a proactive maintenance. You may experience intermittent connectivity at our store front. As always, we will do everything we can to keep the interruptions to an absolute minimum.

Did you know Clean-Up Bacteria is essential for a clean pond bottom?

A clean pond bottom is essential for a healthy pond environment and we offer a variety of clean-up bacteria that assists the biological activity of your pond by accelerating the decomposition of leaves, sediment and other organic matter that would otherwise settle at the bottom of your pond producing harmful gasses.

A clean pond will also help maintain a healthy immune system for your fish.

Thursday, September 20th from 11:00 PM until 3:00 AM PDT, our shopping cart company will be conducting a proactive maintenance.   If you are shopping during this time, you may experience intermittent connectivity to our store front.  As always, we will do everything we can to keep the interruptions to an absolute minimum and will be monitoring systems closely to ensure your ability to shop returns to normal.

Many people ask what type of food, frequency and water temperatures to use when feeding their Koi and Gold Fish.  I hope this simple guide will help people with their koi feeding and gold fish feeding..

First, use a good pond thermometer.  You need to know the water temperature in order to feed your koi appropriately.

Second, when the water (not air) temperature is less than 50 Fahrenheit or greater than 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The fish cannot digest the food–DO NOT FEED THEM!

Third, always use good quality koi food.   Avoid foods with corn content, as koi do not digest corn easily and will simply add ‘waste’ to your pond which will increase nutrients for algae blooms.   Look for foods with wheat germ (fresh is best).

Also, always use appropriately sized food.  Small koi and gold fish will have difficulty digesting some pellets and do better eating flaked food.

Koi Feeding – Frequency and protein content:

Frequency and protein content for Water Temperature between 50-55 degrees Fahrenheit.

Feed once or twice a week, or more if they are hungry.  Feed High Carbohydrate, low protein foods with Wheat Germ in the main ingredient (some people feed organic wheat bread and unsweetened cheerios).

Frequency and protein content for Water Temperature between 55-60 degrees Fahrenheit.

Feed up go five times a week.   Feed low protein (25%) and vegetable based foods.

Frequency and protein content for Water Temperature between 6o-65 degrees Fahrenheit.

Feed once per day.  Gradually increase their protein to (35%),

Frequency and protein content for Water Temperature between 65-67 degrees Fahrenheit.

Feed two to three times per day.  Their diet should be mainly 35% or more protein.

Frequency and protein content for Water Temperature between 72-80 degrees Fahrenheit.

Feed three to four times a day.   Their diet should be mainly 35-40% protein with color enhancers.

Koi Feeding Important Notes:

High protein foods will make fish grow faster and make them healthier than high carb diets.

Keep your koi food pellets in a cool, shaded storage location in an airtight container to maximize food freshness.

Baby Koi (less than one year old) need sufficient carbohydrates, especially when water temperature gets cooler.

Remember that koi feeding should never be done when the water is too warm (over 90 degrees) or too cool (50 degrees or less).

Koi Food Types:

Small koi and gold fish will have difficulty digesting some pellets and do better eating flaked food.

ttp://shop.funkykoi.com/Tetra-Flaked-Pond-Fish-Food-p/046798162100.htm

http://shop.funkykoi.com/Wardley-Products-Premium-Spirulina-Plus-Ten-p/043324005238.htm

Water temperatures are between 50-55 degrees Fahrenheit:

http://shop.funkykoi.com/Chogenki-Fu-Manda-Fu-Koi-Food-p/manfu1.htm

http://shop.funkykoi.com/ECOLOGICAL-LABS-Legacy-Cold-Weather-Koi-Food-p/mllwgs.htm

http://shop.funkykoi.com/Blue-Ridge-Cool-Water-Wheat-Germ-Formula-Koi-Food-p/br-cool-water-5-lb.htm

http://shop.funkykoi.com/6270-Hikari-Wheat-Germ-Mini-Pellet-4-4-lbs-p/6270.htm

Water temperatures are between 55-60 degrees Fahrenheit:

http://shop.funkykoi.com/6270-Hikari-Wheat-Germ-Mini-Pellet-4-4-lbs-p/6270.htm

http://shop.funkykoi.com/7242-Hikari-Spirulina-Mini-Pellet-17-6-oz-p/7239.htm

http://shop.funkykoi.com/ECOLOGICAL-LABS-Legacy-Fruits-Greens-Koi-Food-p/mllfg.htm

http://shop.funkykoi.com/1270-HIKARI-STAPLE-Mini-Pellet-4-4-lb-p/1270.htm

Water temperatures are between 6o-65 degrees Fahrenheit:

http://shop.funkykoi.com/ECOLOGICAL-LABS-Legacy-Fruits-Greens-Koi-Food-p/mllfg.htm

http://shop.funkykoi.com/Shinju-Premium-All-Season-Koi-Food-p/shinju.htm

Water temperatures are between 65-67 degrees Fahrenheit:

http://shop.funkykoi.com/ECOLOGICAL-LABS-Legacy-Fruits-Greens-Koi-Food-p/mllfg.htm

http://shop.funkykoi.com/Shinju-Premium-All-Season-Koi-Food-p/shinju.htm

Water temperatures are  between 72-80 degrees Fahrenheit:

http://shop.funkykoi.com/42553-SAKI-HIKARI-FANCY-GF-COLOR-Mini-Pellet-7oz-p/42553.htm

http://shop.funkykoi.com/Hikari-Silkworm-Selects-Med-17-6-oz-p/7642.htm

http://shop.funkykoi.com/Shinju-Color-Pearl-Color-Enhancer-Koi-Food-p/shinju-color.htm

http://shop.funkykoi.com/SAKI-HIKARI-COLOR-MEDIUM-PELLET-KOI-FOOD-p/42204.htm

http://shop.funkykoi.com/HI-SILK-21-KENKOKANRI-HIGH-GRADE-NISHIKI-GOI-FOOD-p/hi-silk-21.htm

If you feed your koi appropriately; using the right frequency, protein content for the water temperature; your fish will grow large and stay healthy for many years to come.   Remember your pets rely on you to feed them, just as children do.     Feed them well and they will do well.

Happy Koi Feeding!