Responses in post...

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"George" wrote in message
. ..

"Janet" wrote in message
...
You're 100 % correct MC, koi are not goldfish and vice versa. Koi
absolutely do not do well in water under about 40 degrees. They may make
it but it can be a real struggle in the spring as in their weakened state
they are very suseptable to parasites and bacterial infections...
Janet in cloudy Niagara Falls


http://www.aquariumpharm.com/article...-wintering.asp
The metabolism of koi and goldfish is controlled primarily by water
temperature. As the water cools, pond fish require less protein in their
diet. When koi and goldfish are fed high-protein food in cool water, the
excess protein is excreted as ammonia from the gills. The microscopic
organisms that make up the biological filter (and consume ammonia) also
slow down in cooler water. Improper seasonal feeding can lead to a
build-up of toxic ammonia, which stresses fish and reduces their winter
survivability. When the water temperature drops to approximately 65° F,
start feeding with Spring & Autumn Pond Food. This type of fish food is
better suited for the dietary requirements of pond fish in cool water and
won't pollute the water with excess ammonia. Some water gardeners continue
to feed their fish until they no longer come to the surface. I stop
feeding my pond fish when the water falls below 42° F.

There is no need to worry about "frozen fish" if a section of the pond is
at least 18 inches deep. Pond fish will seek the deepest part of the pond
and over-winter there until the water warms in the spring. If your pond is
less than 18 inches deep, the fish may freeze during a harsh winter.

This *may* be true in some areas but definitely not true in zones 4-7
without heating the pond!


Check with your local
pond supplier if you live in an area with harsh winters.

This is almost too funny to actually respond to, most pond stores know
absolutely nothing about actually keeping fish, let alone koi or what it
takes to have a proper koi pond..sigh...


Water gardeners with
shallow ponds can keep their koi and goldfish in kiddie pools or aquariums
set up in a cool basement or garage. All that is required is an aquarium
air pump or small fountain to provide oxygenation.

What about filtration???? There is a reason koi are nicknamed pond pigs.


The fish are fed infrequently, if at all,
depending on the water temperature. pH, ammonia and nitrite should be
monitored weekly, especially if the fish are fed. Small water changes
(20%) each month will keep the water in good shape until spring. Koi are
"jumpers"-so be sure to cover the pool with bird netting!

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/PondSubWe...dmaintwint.htm

Fishes: Koi, goldfish, natives and other cold-water fishes may over-winter
in your system; providing that some of the surface

area does not freeze over completely. If your fishes are fat and healthy
in the fall, their metabolisms will be depressed enough accordingly to
prevent mortality. The rule with dealing with livestock especially during
the winter is the less disturbed the better. Instances of high mortalities
are almost always attributable to poor design, overcrowding or inadequate
cleaning before the cold season; or handling them after.

Livestock should not be fed below a temperature of 50 degrees F.; The fish
may seem interested and eat, but be unableto use the food and consequently
the water will be fouled. Partial water changes should be of small volume,
if any, infrequent and literally dripped refilled.

We know that the term "hibernation" is no longer true in regards to koi...

Prior to cold water hibernation your
fish(es) should have been well fed, checked for disease and disinfected if
necessary.

Here is a link to some folks who overwinter their koi in Ontario:

http://backyardpuddle.aaquaria.com/season.html



This my absolutely favourite part.... I happen to know these folks from a
respectable koi forum. She's actually quite amused that you would try to use
their site to support keeping koi in an unheated pond, especially because
that pond in the pics is a 24 inch watergarden, not a koi pond. They bring
their fish in for the winter. She is now adding information to that site so
that their position on this issue will be clear to all who view that site. I
would suggest though that the Canadian koi keepers check out the link page
on that site for their commercial site, it's one of the best (if not only!)
for some speciality items in Canada.

MC, come over the http://www.koiphen.com and ask your questions about
keeping your koi outside over the winter. Personally I don't think they will
do well if they happen to make it through. 30 inches isn't deep enough for
zone 5. I won't even get into the 6 koi in 500 gallons, I think you already
know that is far from an ideal situation for koi. The folks from the website
George posted above post there as well as several very knowlegable
koikichi's. Most are heading off to Japan shortly for the fall harvest so
talk to them before they go. )

Janet in sunny Niagara Falls

"MC" wrote in message
om...
After much research, I've decided to use solar bubble wrap pool
cover
floated on the top of my pond and a titanium tube-style heater. The
pool cover will have a border of about an inch to allow gases to
escape. My questions a

1) How do you use one of these acquarium-type heaters? I would
imagine
it would burn the pond liner if I just throw it in there. If I
suspend
it, I would be concerned of it getting knocked loose. Do I need a
wire/mesh case to keep the fish from burning themselves?

2) I've read bio filters are useless below 50 degree. So I won't run
it. Is it better to remove it from the pond, or just leave it? I
anticipate the heater will keep my pond around 40. I don't intend on
"heating" it, just keeping it from freezing solid.



FYI: I am in zone 5, 500 gallons, 30" deep, 6 Koi