Mid~Atlantic Koi The Magazine of the Mid-Atlantic Koi Club
Judging Kohaku
June 2014
Mid~Atlantic Koi The Membership Magazine of the Mid-Atlantic Koi Club
Volume 27, Number 10 —Upcoming Events
Beginner’s Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Long Island Chapter Meeting . . . . . .29 Saugerties Chapter Meeting . . . . . . .29 MAKC Annual Meeting . . . . . . . . . .35
President’s Message . . . . . . . .4 From the Editor’s Desk . . . . .6 MAKC Health Hotline Volunteers . . . . . . . .19 Sunshine Column . . . . . . . . .28 Treasurer’s Report . . . . . . . .28 F..A..S..T Ads . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 Ad Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
Mid-Atlantic Koi Deadlines for articles, meeting announcements and ads
August Issue Deadline: Available Online:
MAKC Corporate Members . . . . . . . . . .7 ZNA Judging Seminar - KOHAKU . . . .8 Jim Reilly, Art Lembke, & Nicole Lembke
Mosquito Fish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
—MAKC News
July Issue Deadline: Available Online:
June 2014
June 1 July 1 July 1 August 1
Don Harrawood, Texas
Koi Stress Cause and Prevention Part 1 . . . . . . . .12 Ed Keene, DCAS
Water Change Amount/Frequency Affects Water Quality . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Ray Jordan, Texas
To Cull or Not To Cull . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Carolyn Weise, Florida
New Concrete Ponds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Don Harrawood, Texas
How do They Make Koi Food that Floats? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Ken Austin, Certified Koi Keeper
Meet MAKC Presidential Candidate – Joann Mead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Mistakes I Have Made . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 Carolyn Weise, Florida
Learn about judging Kohaku from the ZNA Judging Seminar.
Saugerties First Meeting of 2014 . . . . .25
Starting on Page 8.
Picture to Share - Showa . . . . . . . . . . . .32
A Winter’s Tale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 RoseMarie Ehrich, New York
On the Road to a Koi Event . . . . . . . . . .29
MAKC Membership Application . . . . .33 MAKC 2014-15 Ballot . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
Page 2 Mid-Atlantic Koi
June 2014
MAKC Executive Committee President Philip Gray
(516) 507-0528 philiegray@mac.com Cell (516) 967-4966 Vice-President Looking for a Volunteer Secretary
Dinah Bwint
(610) 287-9178
sanke@verizon.net
Treasurer Anthony Vitale
(516) 420-0740
Remember to Renew Your Membership
Time t o Renew
nyssba96@aol.com
Central Chapter Vice-President Looking for a Volunteer Long Island Chapter Vice-President Bruce Levine
(516) 735-2644
bruce@li-koi.com
North Chapter Vice-President Dan Bitcon
(973) 699-2186
DanVideo@aol.com
Saugerties (NY) Chapter Vice-President Herb Ehrich
(845) 247-7105
koiking15@yahoo.com
South Chapter Vice-President Chuk Nixon
(301) 717-7702 chuknixon@aol.com
Standing Committees Richard Douglass
Membership (845) 723-4373
ewey38@aol.com
AKCA Representative Philip Gray
(516) 486-3807 philiegray@mac.com
Don’t Wait – Do it Today.
MAKC Sales Looking for a Volunteer MAKC Notice Group Manager Michael Snyder
(301) 762-2059 makc@imsnyder.com WebMaster (732) 567-6678
Sarah Johnson
sarranna@yahoo.com
Renewal form you can print out is on page 33.
Executive Board Advisor y C ommittee Joe Zuritsky (215) 575-4001 Betty Roemer (828) 697-2692 Art Lembke
(410) 867-0270
jzuritsky@parkwaycorp.com
Mid-Atlantic Koi Magazine
roroemer@mchsi.com artsKoi1@aol.com
Editor, Carolyn Weise
(239) 573-6650 x105
Advertising Editor, Philip Gray Mike Riordan (732) 747-6089
Koidog1@verizon.net
Japanese Cultural Adviser Misa Sitterly
philiegray@mac.com
Meeting/Events Editor, Carolyn Weise (239) 573-6650 x105 makcmag@makc.com FAST Ads Editor, Philip Gray
(516) 486-5163
philiegray@mac.com
(703) 490-0770 sitterly@comcast.net
MAKC Home Page: http://www.makc.com
Production: Cindy Graham, NextUp Creations
June 2014
(516) 486-5163
makcmag@makc.com
Mid-Atlantic Koi is the magazine of the Mid-Atlantic Koi Club. Material is selected for its interest to Koi keepers. MAKC accepts no responsibility for accuracy of content. Reproduction of uncopyrighted articles is permitted as long as this magazine is credited as the source. Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 3
President’s Message by Philip Gray Suggestions4MAKC@gmail.com Hope everyone enjoyed their Memorial Day Weekend!!! I know at this point everyone is in the full swing of pond season, hopefully there is a lot of jumping and splashing in your pond as you read this month’s newsletter. I think all of us can relate to how exceptional this hobby is, that we all enjoy so much. Many of us love this club not only for the amazing information and events but also because when you are in the company of fellow members, you are surrounded by people who just get it!!! For those of us who spend hours researching the perfect pump for our pond, who travel far and wide to attend shows and pay outrageous amounts to ensure our precious jewels are delivered safe sound, I’d thought you’d enjoy the list below of all the reasons why we are all MAKC Members.
Why become a MAKC Member 1. You meet people who are just as Crazy about Koi as you are. 2. 10 people will give you six ways to improve your pond's water quality. 3. Some of that advice actually works and you end up with crystal clear water. 4. When there is an MAKC meeting, everyone just gets what’s so amazing about Koi!! 5. You can have fun with other MAKC members at meeting and see there ponds. 6. We "understand" why you paid $ [fill in the blank] for a fish! 7. You can get a great deal on a high class Koi at a club auction. Page 4 Mid-Atlantic Koi
8. You can feed it with food you win at the raffle. 9. You can raise it until it becomes a $1000 fish! 10. You get to come to the Annual Club Meeting 11. You get to taste our Vice President’s Bruce Levine’s Spare Ribs. 12. One of our club member’s Jim Kelly grows some of the best corn you will ever taste. This year’s Annual Club Meeting will be held in July, further details on date, time and venue will follow in next month’s newsletter. Also for all those who have not yet renewed their membership, you renew Checks should be made payable to MAKC in the amount of $30.00 and mailed to Richard Douglass 34 Sherow Rd Pleasant Valley, NY 12569 If you do not a have an application which is printable from the magazine make sure you include your address, phone number and e-mail address. Best to all, Philip Gray 516-507-0528
MAKC Annual Meeting June 29th See Page 35 for More Information
June 2014
Beginner’s Corner Ask a question and we will get you an answer.
Question My pond is covered with foam and has a very bad odor. What’s happening?
Answer In early spring koi will spawn from March through May or June. Something like large water changes, back washing filters or a spring rain may spark spawning. Before a spawn male koi chase females around the pond bumping them on their sides encouraging them to drop eggs in plants or other suitable surfaces, so males can drop milt to fertilize the eggs. The eggs and milt are what produces the foam and strong fishy odor. This may cause an ammonia spike. The spawning can get fairly rough on the fish so watch for missing scales and other bruises.
will hatch, those that survive still can be eaten till they are about an inch long or start to show color. Note: This column offers suggestions only; the ultimate care of your pond and fish is up to you.
Wanted – Your Questions Please email your questions to makcmag@makc.com. We look forward to hearing from you!
Do good water change to reduce the ammonia level and the D. O. C. (dissolved organic compound) foam. This will reduce the foam, odor and improve water quality. Don’t worry about the number of eggs the koi lay, the other koi will come along behind and eat most of their spawn. Only the well hidden eggs
June 2014
Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 5
From the Editor’s Desk by Carolyn Weise makcmag@makc.com
Isn’t it wonderful to actually be going into Koi season, finally? Before I say one more word, I want to thank Lora Lee Gelles, POND Trade Magazine, for permission to reprint that wonderful article of Paula Biles’ in the previous issue on dividing plants. In this issue we are looking at the finer points of Judging Kohaku. It begins and ends with Kohaku. We have an assortment of articles for your pleasure this month. We bring you Mosquito Fish as mosquito control that do not have to be fed; the fine art of doing water changes, and why; a direct look at Culling which is the link to successful Koi keeping (or not) and is related to another great article “Fish Stress” by Ed Keene. We have a good article on Concrete Ponds by Don Harrawood and the making of Floating Koi Food by Ken Austin. I’m sure you will find something you can identify with, and hopefully learn not to do in the future, from My Pond Mistakes (yes, my own!) but don’t stop there. Please take the time to meet Joann Mead, our Presidential Candidate for MAKC. We are excited with the new ballot and “fresh blood” coming into our club. A big thank-you to all who have worked so hard to bring us to where we are now and looking forward to continued success with our new leadership in the future. See you in July! Yours in Koi! Carolyn Page 6 Mid-Atlantic Koi
To become a member or renew is easy. Fill out the form on page 33, mail it in - and viola you are a member! June 2014
MAKC
Corporate
Members
www.mazuri.com
Quality Koi Company Nisei Koi Farm 856-299-7564 info@qualitykoi.com
www.qualitykoi.com
Interested in becoming a Corporate Member?
East Coast – Patio Ponds, LTD 301-874-8440 West Coast – Laguna Koi Ponds 949-494-5107
www.MatalaUSA.com June 2014
Reasonable one time fee for the year – includes a Business Card size ad in all issues in this section and on the MAKC website. Contact Philip Gray at 516-486-3807 or philiegray@mac.com Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 7
ZNA Judging Seminar - KOHAKU by Jim Reilly, Art Lembke, and Nicole Lembke, ZNA Judges
MAKC ZNA Style Judging Seminar In August 2010, MAKC hosted a ZNA Style Judging Seminar with the help of Mat McCann and Quality Koi. This seminar was free to our ZNA Members and open to our other members for a fee. The judges for this seminar were three of our MAKC members who are local certified ZNA Judges: Jim Reilly, Art Lembke and Nicole Lembke. This is the first of three articles sharing what was learned that day. Our sincere thanks go to Mat for providing the Koi for this seminar. Thanks also to all of the people who attended, and to Jim and Art for joining me as Judges for this event. Nicole Lembke Today we judged five very nice, albeit very different Kohaku! Each of these Kohaku has something to admire in the areas of conformation, color, pattern, and skin quality. And although these Kohaku are basic two colored fish, they each show different levels of accomplishment in skin, color and pattern. And these subtleties required some serious study. Kohaku A is a very simple two-step pattern, but almost immediately we saw this fish as having the very best hi (red coloring) of the group. For hi to be excellent, it must be uniform, even and give the appearance of deepness without being heavy. The hi or beni must also contain luster in order to really set the red color off in a three dimensional way. The secret to this that three dimensional look also lies in the white ground skin or shiroji and this fish has excellent soft glowing skin! Page 8 Mid-Atlantic Koi
June 2014
This impression of soft transparent porcelain skin is also a sign of high quality genetics. So this fish scored very high marks in the area of color and skin quality. The pattern on this fish is a simple form as a two-step design. But the break at the tail and the slanting line at the back end of the first step help to refine an otherwise average pattern. Finally, this fish has a very solid frame and nice body shape for its size and age and second only to Kohaku E in strong conformation. In today’s competition Kohaku A was our first place winning fish.
June 2014
Kohaku B has an attractive and well-balanced pattern. And this is an important thing in show Koi. But although the shape is generally good, this Koi could do with a little more structure and thickness in the tail area (note the belly which is normal but shows as full due to the tail line). The hi is a nice coloring but neither as thick or uniform as some of the other fish in the competition. All and all, a Koi fish meeting head to head with stronger competition. Kohaku B was our 4th place fish with its pattern being its best feature and its body being its most problematic feature. Kohaku C is another two-step patterned fish. The body is good and the hi is very bright and Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 9
attractive. The bodyline is generally good, but the hi pattern has two issues – one is the line of the leading edge of the pattern formed between and just behind the level of the other. And the other issue is the overall size of the second step on the rear of the fish. Being a bit small this second step has difficulty balancing against the large first step pattern. The red in the pectoral fin is a slight negative. This Kohaku became our 3rd place fish.
Kohaku E was a very lovely Koi! The shape and the conformation were good and second only to Kohaku A. The beni was also very lustrous and therefore very attractive. And the white skin was excellent. The details of the hi pattern were a bit weak as they seemed to need more time to resolve themselves. And finally, stray hi off the main pattern made this the 2nd place fish.
Winning Kohaku Kohaku D also has a nice deep color and skin quality. The body conformation is normal. But the very heavy pattern, especially in the front of this fish, tends to weigh the fish down. The excess red in the face that covers the eye, mouth and nose really take away from the refined look we seek in a show quality Koi of this size. Kohaku D is our 5th place fish. Page 10 Mid-Atlantic Koi
First Place: Kohaku A Second Place: Kohaku E Third Place: Kohaku C Fourth Place: Kohaku B Fifth Place: Kohaku D
ď ś
June 2014
Mosquito Fish by Don Harrawood, Texas These voracious predators have upturned mouths specially designed for scooping up larvae prey, and represent one of the most environmentally friendly forms of mosquito control. They require virtually no maintenance, as they are selffeeding and self-sustaining.
osquito fish (Gambusia) are small guppy-like fish used to control mosquito populations by devouring mosquito larvae.
M
According to U.S. Navy research, a pair of halfgrown Gambusia can Consume 5000 mosquito larvae in 11 weeks. An adult female can devour several hundred larvae per day. June 2014
Their adaptability and effectiveness in mosquito control have made mosquito fish one of the most distributed freshwater fish in the world. These fish are live-bearers, meaning they do not lay eggs but give live birth to their young. It is highly recommended that pond owners maintain an ample supply of these small fish in their Koi ponds for mosquito control. ď ś
Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 11
It's as easy as A B C . . . Pond Basic Concepts . . .
Koi Stress - Cause and Prevention Part 1 by Ed Keene (DCAS) Adapted for Ponds by Carolyn Weise
What Is Fish Stress Just like human beings, most Koi can withstand environmental conditions that differ but slightly from the natural conditions from whence they came and/or are accustomed to living under. This does not mean, however, that they will be as healthy nor that they will live their full normal life in your pond, that they may otherwise have lived in their natural environment. For example, keeping a Koi in cooler or warmer water than it is used to forces its body organs to work harder to keep it alive and will stress your Koi. Further into this article, I will discuss what causes stress in more detail sighting additional examples.
Why Is Stress Bad for Your Fish Stress reduces a Koi's immune system and its ability to ward off diseases and/or heal itself of minor cuts and abrasions. For example, if a parasite is somehow introduced into the pond, rather than the natural antibodies of a healthy Koi defending it against the parasitic attacks, the parasite will claim victory over a stressed out Koi which is unable to protect itself. Not only will the parasite claim victory, unfortunately, it will often claim the life of your Koi. Another example is that sometimes a Koi might scrape itself against a rock or have a scare in your pond and end up with a flesh wound. The antibodies of a healthy Koi will enable the wounds to heal, while a stressed out Koi tend to gradually get worse, eventually leading to its death. Additionally, stress will, in virtually all cases, reduce the ability of a Koi to breed successfully and shortens its natural life span. A small amount of stress by itself is very seldom fatal; however, as stress levels continue to rise, the Page 12 Mid-Atlantic Koi
ability of a Koi to cope with it plummets. One of the hobbyist's goals in successfully keeping and maintaining a pond is to remove any and all stress. If you are unable to remove stress completely, you must keep the stress levels to a bare minimum. I will here remark however, that eliminating stress does not guarantee you a happy and healthy pond or Koi. But it does greatly increase your chances. Many hobbyists will gladly tell you about how they have kept Koi happy and healthy for very long periods of time and under very stressful conditions. These hobbyists may not realize they are sitting on a big time disaster just waiting to happen. Down the road, don't be surprised if the next story you hear from them is that one Koi had a problem of known or possibly unknown origin, and died. Shortly thereafter, the same thing happened to another, then another, then another, and eventually all Koi were lost. The important thing to remember is that by completely eliminating stress or by reducing stress to the minimum, you sharply increase the chances that a pond and the fish contained therein will stay nice and healthy.
What Causes Stress There are many situations which can cause stress to your fish. A few of the most common causes are mentioned here. You should be aware of the type of stress that will exist in your pond. Temperatures: Koi are moderate zone fish. They will be less stressed in northern climates if provided with stable temperatures. The depth of the pond can provide stable temperatures between night and day temperatures. Southern June 2014
ponds tend to have really high temperatures. Koi in these ponds will be less stressed with shading over the pond to minimize the excessive heat. Feeding during extreme heat or cold is not recommended and can be more stressful than the nutrition that is intended to offer the Koi. Sudden noises, unexpected (predator) visitors to the pond, children dropping rocks into the pond, and other things that appear threatening to them from above the water, will stress your Koi. Any building going on in the neighborhood can carry underground tremors to your Koi. Hammering is another noise that will startle the Koi. These are stresses that we will easily overlook, but the Koi will not know about. Luckily, Koi are adaptable to acid or alkaline water conditions. What stresses the Koi most is fluctuations in water parameters (pH up and down) by unknowing hobbyists. They are okay with pH going up, but not happy at all when pH
June 2014
suddenly drops down. The day to day fluctuations are normal, but a pH crash would not be tolerated. Koi are school fish. Being isolated in a pond is stressful to Koi. One Koi probably will not eat if there are no other Koi in the pond. They need others around them. The amount of physical space required for a Koi depends on its expected full grown size for that species of Koi. Some types of fish do just fine in a 10 gallon aquarium while Koi might require a 10,000 gallon pond. Keeping a Koi in an aquarium that is too small increases the level of stress on the Koi. Can you imagine trying to keep a poor Koi in an aquarium??? Next Issue: Fish Stress - Causes and Prevention Part 2 of 2. ď ś
Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 13
Water Change Amount/Frequency Affects Water Quality by Ray Jordan, Texas he overall and long term health of our koi and goldfish are greatly affected by water quality conditions. For some of our less experienced koi keepers I want to make a few points about the benefits of water changes on the health of our pond fish. A fish pond is a closed system with a need to replace old polluted water with fresh new water. Filtration is a necessary supplement to water changes but filtration merely converts very toxic waste to less toxic waste which remains in the pond unless it is physically removed by a combination of physically cleaning the solid waste out of our ponds and diluting the dissolved waste via water changes.
T
By waste I am referring to the combination of fish food, both digested and undigested, detritus such as dust, soil, pollen, leaves, etc that blow into the pond and begin to decay. The mucus and skin cells shed by your fish as a part of their natural growth processes plus fish poop. Lots of fish poop. Also the algae, bacteria and other platonic organisms that live in your pond live, eat, poop and die to contribute to the build up of waste and pollution. Increased pollution
Reading this on issuu.com? Be sure to join our club. You do not have to live in the Mid-Atlanitc area; we have members across the country. We hope you will join today. A membership form can be found on page 33. Page 14 Mid-Atlantic Koi
produces algae blooms (green water) cloudy and smelly water and of course lots of bacteria growth to consume the decaying buildup of waste. Some of these bacteria are also diseasecausing organisms and they can attack your fish directly and make them sick. In fact the basic recommendations I make when asked about a pond with unhealthy fish is to do a major water change and stop feeding for 10 days to two weeks. Healthy water conditions almost always means their will be healthy fish. The solution to this build up of pollution is dilution, which equates to water changes in our ponds. This is all leading up to some information that demonstrates the importance of significant weekly water changes to maintaining healthy water conditions and healthy pond fish. But, how much water should we change? Some of us have lightly stocked larger ponds with significant filter systems. On the other end of the spectrum are heavily stocked small ponds with modest to severely under filtered systems. Regardless, all need significant on going weekly water changes to keep our ponds and fish healthy. Minimum weekly water changes of 10% need to be done on every fish pond system. However for those ponds that are on the small side that are also overstocked with fish much larger percentage water changes need to be performed to keep everything healthy and prospering. Consider the following calculations. Lets say your pond produces 10 units of pollution weekly from all the various sources listed earlier. Also let’s say you do 10% water changes weekly. Is this enough to dilute the waste being June 2014
produced over time? Following is a recap of the calculations using this data.
Here is a summary of what the same calculations look like as equilibrium occurs with a variable of increasing the amounts of water changes.
Week
+10 Waste Units
Total Waste
10% Change
Final Waste
1
10
10
-9
9
Weekly Water Change
Equilibrium Occurs
Remaining Waste Units
2
9 + 10
19
-1.9
17.1
10%
Week 50
89.5
3
17.1 + 10
27.1
-2.7
24.4 15%
Week 35
56.5
20%
Week 30
40.0
25%
Week 23
30.0
35%
Week 12
18.4
4
24.4 +10
34.4
-3.4
31.0
8
47 +10
57
-5.7
51.3
12
61.8 +10
71.8
-7.2
64.6
16
71.5 +10
81.5
-8.2
73.3
20
78.7 +10
88.7
-8.9
79.8
30
86 +10
96
-9.6
86.4
40
88.6 +10
98.6
-9.9
88.7
50
89.5 +10
99.5
-10
89.5
Notice that it takes 50 weeks to reach equilibrium and this occurs at a level that is almost nine times higher than the base pollution amount. Is this a level of pollution that your fish can tolerate and remain healthy over time? Not likely but it is possible if your system is way under stocked, under fed, and over filtered. After all the amount of weekly pollution/waste is one of the key factors that we can control.
Of course this is a static greatly simplified example. In the real world, we buy more fish and then we feed more. Our fish grow larger and even spawn to produce even more fish. But hopefully by now you get the point of this rant on water changes. They are critical to the health of our fish. If you have any issues with your pond or your fish increasing water changes and reduced feeding will go a long way towards improving most of the issues of water quality we experience. I also need to emphasize the need to treat chlorinated water with a dechlor agent and if you live in a area with chloramine treated water you will need to treat with a suitable ammonia binding/ dechlor agent such as amquel or equalilvent. Compared to treating or replacing sick fish larger water changes are a terrific bargain. If you must, buy fewer or cheaper fish and/or cheaper feed but do not skimp on water changes or eventually you will pay a big price. ď ś
June 2014
Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 15
To Cull or Not To Cull by Carolyn Weise, Florida “
H! You can’t hurt those poor little fish!!!” Well, what about those poor BIG fish?? The BIG ones are starting to die of insufficient oxygen in the early morning hours of the day… Why are we blaming these deaths on algae?
O
When your garden becomes choked with weeds, most people will pull out the weeds to allow the beautiful, store-bought plants to thrive. It is no less than this with our ponds. Weeds in the garden may be throwbacks from our own plants’ seeds. And they are living things. Yet, we have no remorse about eliminating them from the garden. Somehow, we see little fish in the pond and feel compelled to protect them from all harm. It simply does not make sense. Fish reproduce to ensure survival of the species, not to enjoy reproduction or to see what kind of young they can reproduce. They have no family affiliation with their young and no social ties with other fish in the pond. No, they do not recognize each other in another pond, should they someday meet again. With purebred dogs, or cats, only the best will be bred to each other to enhance the breed. Reputable breeders do not throw a lot of purebred dogs (or cats) of different types into a large area and let them interbreed at will. That’s what is happening in your pond. That is what the local animal shelters and pounds are filled with–animals of every description–and we are interbreeding mutts in our ponds. Do we need them all, every single one of them?? We can’t afford to keep every puppy (or kitten) our other pets produce, which is why we spay and neuter them. Think of the logic in doing that: Page 16 Mid-Atlantic Koi
1) we don’t want to have to find homes for those we can’t keep, 2) we can’t afford to feed and give proper veterinary care to all of them, and 3) haven’t got the room to keep them anyway, even if it wasn’t against the law to have more than a certain number (which is three in most places) without a kennel permit! The solution is probably to not breed in the first place. Backyard breeding (Koi) has given rise to many koi businesses we know today. A lot have fine-tuned their breeding to produce more desirable offspring. They may not be the exclusive bloodstock from Japan, where they practice the fine art of culling as soon as the fry emerge from the egg. But they have learned that in order to compete in business, they have to have a better “product” than the backyard-breeding-homeowner. Their fish must be attractive enough to catch the attention of buyers. And some breeders have really excelled at producing spectacular looking Koi as nisei and tosei. The logic of buying fish at an early age however defies the logic of a well-managed pond. First, it is impossible to sex koi at an early age, leaving the buyer open to discover too late they have the inevitable spawning in the pond. Also, the longer one keeps the baby fish, the more attachment they will have with these developing fry. So what about the fry? Culling is a mind-set that needs to be developed, too, and a healthy one for all concerned. As a pond becomes overloaded, the first thing you will notice is decreased water quality. What was once beautiful and crystal clear is now murky and difficult to enjoy the fish. You add a UV light. You test the water and find the parameters “perfect!” They June 2014
are perfect because the algae are taking up excess nutrients produced by too many fish. You treat the pond with algaecides. The problem doesn’t go away. You try sludge removers. Still the pond has not cleared up. Why? You have not recognized the problem and the fish population is still growing… Everything you have done is correct, but you are actual the problem if you are not managing the fish load properly. As the owner, you won’t cull any fish. And you seem to think you have to feed every mouth in the pond. Why?? Culling is not “killing,” it is “saving the fish in the pond” from sure death and suffering. Think about how you need to “weed” your pond so the pond can handle the bigger fish. Think about how detrimental those new fry are to the pond. It looks like these little things can’t possibly overcrowd the pond, right?
June 2014
Well they are creating a cesspool that all your fish will be living in, through your unwillingness to remove them. And you need to know that procreation is not a necessity of life in your pond… not if the fish are going to be happy… and thrive! You know, there are many “single-sex” ponds that are very successful and there may be one in your future, if you will only give it a chance.. PS- My rose bushes are doing fabulously on the unwanted fry! So, everything in life has a purpose…
Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 17
New Concrete Ponds by Don Harrawood, Texas
Philip and Denise Gray’s Pond built in 2011
ome of the most beautiful ponds and waterfalls are constructed with concrete walls and with a plaster lining inside. If you decide to have a concrete pond, there is one very important item to consider if you plan to have fish. This item is pH values of your pond water. pH is the ratio of acidity and alkalinity of the water.
S
Page 18 Mid-Atlantic Koi
When a new concrete pond is filled with water, the water immediately starts absorbing the calcium (cement) off the concrete surfaces. This leaching process causes the pH value of the water to rise considerably. This also applies to a lesser extent to liner ponds with cement laden waterfalls and lined inside with river rock or some other type of stone.It is not unusual for the June 2014
leaching process in a new concrete pond to result in a pH value of 11 or even 12. Koi can withstand pH values from 6 to 9, however above nine is usually deadly (kidney damage) to them. Within this range of pH values (6 to 9), koi should not be subjected from their present water to water with radically different pH values. This radical change in pH causes pH shock, and often death. Please note that pH values are logarithmic, that is, pH 9 is ten times more alkaline that pH 8.
9.0, you most likely will not need to monitor pH values again unless changes to the pond are made. After stabilization, do not try to change the pH value unless there is a compelling reason to do so. There is no need to be concerned with pH unless it falls outside the value of 6.0 to 9.0. ď ś
To break in a new cement pond, with the intention of adding fish, the following procedure should be followed: 1. With an accurate pH meter, check the pH of the pond after the first 24 hours of running the system. You will see that the pH is above 10, and possibly 12 or more. 2. Add enough muratic acid (swimming pool acid) to lower the pH value to around 3.0 3. Keep the pH level around 3.0 for several days. If it raises above 3.0, add more acid. Check the pH value frequently. 4. After following this procedure for several days, drain the water completely from the system. 5. Add fresh water with dechlorinator and let the system run for 2 days. Check the pH. If lower than 9.0, it should be ok to add fish. If not lower than 9, add more acid. 6. When below 9, add fish one at a time and observe their reaction. If they seem normal, they should be ok in the new water. (Note: pH of local tap water from the faucet should be tested, too.) 7. Once the pH value of water in your new concrete pond is stabilized between 6.0 and June 2014
MAKC Health Hotline Volunteers Tom Burton
Middletown, NJ
732-671-7045
Jan & Bill Fogle Wayne, PA
610-687-3105
Terri Janas
Ashburn, VA
703-729-2988
Jeff Nicholson
Odenton, MD
301-912-1928
All members have microscopes and health books. In the event of a recorded message, please suggest a time when you're home to receive a return call or when you'd like to call back. Please remember that advice is given based on your input–the ultimate responsibility and treatment must remain with you.
Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 19
How Do They Make Koi Food That Floats? by Ken Austin, Certified Koi Keeper - Koi Organisation International loating food is preferred by most Koi keepers for a variety of reasons. The floating pellets encourage all the Koi in the pond to come to the surface and that can be quite a sight. Feeding time is often the best time to inspect the Koi closely to determine if there are any problems. The appearance and the behavior of Koi are good clues about health or water quality issues. Floating pellets also help keep the food out of the bottom drains and out of the filtration system. They can easily be skimmed off the water surface if not eaten.
F
The production of floating Koi foods involves a careful balance of heat, pressure and cooking time. From a prescribed recipe, the different ingredients are blended together in large mixers. The meal mix is then moved to hoppers for processing through an extrusion machine. An extrusion machine is a device which pushes a material through a shaped die to form a continuous length of product with a preset cross section. The hole(s) in the die defines the shape. A pasta machine that makes shapes like macaroni is an example of an extrusion machine. In the case of Koi food, the extruded shape is cylindrical pellets. As the product leaves the machine a cutter is used to chop the extruded material into uniform lengths. In the extrusion machine, steam is added for moisture and heat to cook the ingredients. This is carefully timed. The built up steam pressure causes the extruded product to expand as it is pushed out of the machine. A cutter cuts the material into pellets. As the pellets dry, their expanded shape has a density lighter than water and thus they will float. This is all accomplished Page 20 Mid-Atlantic Koi
with the proper balance of moisture, pressure, heat and the speed that the meal mix travels through the machine. An adjustment of these same parameters could also produce a pellet that is heavier than water and therefore would sink. That means you may be able to obtain a Koi food of a given recipe in either a floating or sinking variety. Koi food packaging usually specifies whether the food is a floating or sinking variety.
Books Available on Amazon.com ABC’s of Ponds – Have a friend interested in building a pond? Are you a beginner? is beautifully illustrated hard cover book is packed with pond & water feature fundamentals plus many little known secrets to successful pond keeping! KOISHI by Mamoru Kodama Learn about Japanese Koi Breeding, Farms and the Breeders. Read the history of Koi varieties and great insights to Koi in Japan. June 2014
Meet MAKC Presidential Candidate – Joann Mead Joann M. Mead Ulster Park, NY 12487 May 11, 2014
up a table for a minimal fee and have the potential of reaching over 100,000 people in a very short amount of time.
Mid–Atlantic Koi Club Members Tri-State Area, USA
Since 2004 I have been actively involved in the health and welfare of fish. It started with my daughter’s fish, Raven. With Raven I got a crash course in fish care: l learned how to provide an optimal tank environment and how to administer medications.
Dear Mid-Atlantic Koi Club Members: We have a new candidate for the presidency of the Mid-Atlantic Koi Club. In as much as the Saugerties Chapter and Joann Mead are fairly new to MAKC, this is to introduce Jo to the members. Every one of us has a story to tell and this is how she became Koi kichi: Our lives were put on hold seven years ago when my husband’s grandmother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. She had always said that she did not want to be placed in a nursing home, so we took care of her at her home until she passed away. Around the same time both of our children were diagnosed with Autism. So between taking our School District to court, trying to find appropriate school placements for the kids and taking care of Grandma we did not have the time to put in a pond but it was in the works. I have been working on other people’s ponds by proxy as an Administrator of the www.TheGAB.Org (The Goldfish and Aquarium Board) on their Pond Forum. I enjoyed helping people online and in one case I traveled to Orange, Connecticut to help a member in person last summer. In that instance there was major die off and the Koi where jumping out of the pond. With microscope in tow, I drove the two hours to Connecticut. The Koi had very bad case of ich and it turned out that someone had dumped (infected) fish into the pond, without the owner’s permission. I joined the Saugerties Chapter one to two years ago after finding them at a garden show at Adam’s Fairacre Farm in Kingston, NY. I was SO happy to find a local Koi club! Currently we are in the process of renovating an old farm house (ca 1820) and planning on putting a pond in. When I started to vet contractors to build the pond I was disgusted by the lack of knowledge. I believe it is our duty as a club to do more public outreach, with the big box stores selling “pond kits” giving the Koi community a black eye, and hurts the health and welfare of the fish. I have spoken to Herb (Ehrich) about the possibility of getting a table at the local County (Ulster and Dutchess) Fairs. As a not-for-profit organization we can set
June 2014
I even traveled several times from my home in New York's Hudson Valley to Dr. Helen Roberts office in Buffalo because Raven required surgery. This experience led to my being interviewed for the NY Times article "Fixing Nemo" by Rebecca Skloot (http://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/02 /magazine/fixing-nemo.html). While I was not quoted in the article, Raven is mentioned. In 2006, I was also interviewed by Christy Nicholson for the Columbia News Service. Regarding aquatic medicine I stated, "Fin, feather, or fur, there is a moral obligation to take care of that pet, no matter what" (http://www.insidebayarea.com/ci_4891509?source=rss). I still strongly believe this, whether it is a U.P.F (Ugly Pond Fish) or a $10,000 Koi. I am currently an administrator on the TheGab.Org (The Goldfish and Aquarium Board), and was also a moderator on Dr. Eric Johnson’s now defunct Koivet Board. (People know me by my online handle as “eBay Queen” with the avatar of a fish wearing a crown.) I feel that early education is the key to in changing people’s hearts and minds about aquatic pets. One of the biggest myths of fish ownership is that these wonderful creatures are “disposable pets.” Many people do not realize that fish can outlive cats and dogs if properly taken care of. At the Ridge School, a day school for students diagnosed with high-functioning autism and Asperger syndrome, I am the “Fish Wrangler.” The school has three goldfish that were rescued from a house fire. The students and I nursed the fish back to good health. By caring for these fish, the children learned the joys and struggles of pet care and that fish are not disposable pets. In addition to my administrative duties on TheGab.Org, I am a Trustee and past Board President of the Ridge School, which is in Salt Point, NY. Since my retirement from Marist College in 2004, I have also worked as a Special Needs Advocate, helping families who struggle obtaining special education services. Jo can be reached at Jo_Mead@Earthlink.Net
Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 21
Mistakes I Have Made by Carolyn Weise, Florida
AKA, lessons learned the hard way1. Quarantine
the phone, doorbell, or whatever. More fish have been killed by chlorine overdose when the owner remembered about the pond 4-8 hours later and
I had been told that new fish have to be quarantined before adding them to the pond. So, I prepared a show tank at my home with filter to keep a beautiful Yamatonishiki for a few weeks. I wanted to make sure the fish was healthy. The fish refused to eat… What I did not know at the time was that a Koi would NOT eat if there were
had completely overflowed the pond for nearly as long. Naturally the amount of dechlorinator added did not dechlorinate that much water…
4. Overcrowding only one fish in the tank/pond at the time. It needed a companion. Naturally, that absolutely gorgeous fish died a few weeks later.
2. Water Changes A Don’t start a water change (pumping the old water out) and walk away. The pond can drain down to nothing before you remember what you were doing. It’s too easy to become distracted and fish can’t scream for help.
3. Water Changes B Like #2, don’t start to top off the pond, or refill it during a water change and walk away to answer Page 22 Mid-Atlantic Koi
If you plan to add new fish to your quarantine tank and still have fish in there, take out the old ones before you add more. I came home with some beautiful new Koi purchased at a Koi show one year. But my 300-gallon Q-tank still had the 20+ juveniles born that spring which I had hoped to auction off at the next Koi club meeting. Unfortunately, I had to add the new fish because there was no other choice. The auction was not for another month and I couldn’t put the juveniles back into the pond. It was too much trouble catching them the first time! Okay, so I lost track of the amount of fish (too many) and kept feeding everybody in there until one night I returned home to find big trouble. June 2014
in my stream were gone! It looked like Yucca Flats after the bomb!! Then, I recovered from this and came home from work to find the heron sitting proudly at the side of my pond. The next morning it was a bloody scene that looked like a murder had taken place out there. Under the gore, I found pretty white scales from my Platinum Gin Rin Longfin. Ouch!!
Fish were floating, others gasping at the surface, and the power was out. They had no filtration for most of the day due to a power outage (too many fish + no filter + dirty tank = fish kill). It was pouring rain and I spent the next three hours trying to save the fish… None made it. Lesson learned the hard way.
So, I might have been perfectly safe for a number of years, but eventually, everybody gets caught. Lesson learned. Traps were used for the raccoons, fishing line for the heron… And I am not so smug anymore.
5. Predators I had never had a problem with raccoons, herons or any other type predator and hadn’t even seen one near my Koi pond. In fact, the neighbor across the street had a whole (big) family of raccoons that she fed in her yard. I actually believed that as long as she was feeding them over there, they were going to leave my fish alone. Until the morning I awoke to find my pond ravaged, cattails all trampled and strewn across the pond, muddy (raccoon) footprints all over the deck, fish food containers thrown this way and that, and the three small Koi I was growing June 2014
Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 23
6. Plants in a Koi Pond I did not believe when they said Koi and plants do not go together! I wanted my lilies & lotus, and I loved my Koi. I simply did not have the room for a pond for each. I had faith that I could
motive!) When they arrived, they, also being magnanimous, handed me a potted Corkscrew Grass (Stipa setacea). It was lovely. Not wanting to appear ungracious, I immediately planted it
into the bog. The fish noticed the new plant (and the clay in which it was rooted). My pond was first on the tour the next morning. The next morning, however, my crystal clear pond was so muddy I couldn’t even see the fish and the plant was torn to pieces. How was I to know that one little plant could undo weeks of primping and preparations in a Koi pond??
mix the two and do it right. I found out the hard way that although the Koi did not wreck the plants, the “pruning” they did made a major mess out of my skimmer baskets and filtration system. I spent a lot of money on a “hybrid pond” to learn this lesson the hard (expensive) way. Because of my plants, the water was never free of debris.
7. Pond Tour Plans One year we had out-of-town visitors coming for the pond tour, so I magnanimously put them up at my house. After all, I had the room and wanted to show off my pond (the ulterior Page 24 Mid-Atlantic Koi
On top of that, it is only Murphy’s Law that the pump/filter would go out. There was no way for the pond to clear by 9:00 a.m. when people started arriving for the Tour. Every man on that tour tried to get it going… and failed! I was mortified. I sucked it up and stood on the natural stone bridge over the stream, perspiring, and told everyone about my pond. I apologized for the lack of filtration, but what could you do? About 10 minutes after the last person left, the filter started again on its own. By that evening, the pond looked like its usual crystal clear self.
Now, are there any of YOU who can add to the list? June 2014
Saugerties First Meeting of 2014 Sunday, April 27, 2014 at Inquiring Minds Bookstore OLD business discussed: the topic of a local Koi show and using the MAKC show items in the trailer. Herb to contact MAKC President, Philip Gray to arrange a pick up of the show items. Discussion about the Chapter sick tank and Richard Douglas' offer to purchase the heater for the Chapter. Continued our discussion about obtaining more raffle items.
PAES Recirculating Aquaculture Technology Workshop Pentair will be hosting our next aquaponics workshop on July 31-August 1, 2014 in Apopka, FL at our facility. If you would like more information regarding the workshop email PAES.General@Pentair.com or visit PentairAES.com Pentair Aquatic Eco-Systems 2395 Apopka Blvd. Apopka, FL 32703, USA Direct 1.407.992.5637
NEW business discussed: how do we grow our membership, who is willing to host the next meeting on June 8. Cancelling the May meeting due to many family obligations. Plans made to rescue and relocate two Koi and one comet for a family who is relocating to Alabama. Discussion about using the local Masonic Lodge to host meetings two or three times each year. Informed all that Microbe Lift sent us a few items to raffle, Carolyn Weise sent a few books to raffle–all the proceeds will be donated to MAKC treasury. Discussion ensued about filling the vacant webmaster and membership chairs, as well as seeking good candidates for MAKC officer election. Herb suggested everyone take the on-line course Koi 101 and Paul mentioned a possible Koi presentation at Mohonk Mountain during their Garden week in August. Our next meeting will be held, June 8th. ď ś June 2014
Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 25
The pictures were taken in February after at least the 10th snow storm in Saugerties, New York. Pictured is Herb’s Koi Studio overlooking the pond, which is under construction.
planned ahead for his upcoming koi meetings and transferred his koi VHS videos to DVDs.
A Winter’s Tale by RoseMarie Ehrich, New York ho would have believed that the snowy winter of 2013-14 would last until the very last day of March?
W
Who would have thought that the snow which began shortly before Thanksgiving would continue to hammer the entire East Coast from Georgia to the New England States? No one!!
Paul and Harriet, before leaving for their much needed vacation in a warmer part of the world, participated in Adams’ Winter Workshop, and began making plans for a presentation at Mohonk Mountain Resort this summer. Frank and Peggy proudly sent pictures of their new “youngster,” a snow blower machine which was very useful. In between using the snow blower, they participated in Adams’ Winter Workshop, reaching out to those interested in learning more about water quality and koi keeping. Their aim was to increase membership in our chapter.
Most of us anticipate snow beginning in December around Christmas time, looking very pretty, and then exiting March 19, allowing spring to move in and reign supreme!!
Bernie and Kathy were seeking warmth in South Carolina during the month of March. Slightly disappointed with the unseasonal temperatures, they managed to enjoy their stay reuniting with friends and visiting Brookgreen Gardens several times.
Well not the winter of 2013-14!! The koi-keepers of MAKC, Saugerties Chapter kept one eye on their snow covered ponds and the other on various winter koi related projects.
Richard and Edda spent many hours researching a heater for the new isolation tank which will be used by any of our chapter members whose koi may require usage of this special tank.
Beginning with Herb Ehrich; while seeking refuge in South Carolina, he experienced winter in the form of a snow storm which left 3 inches of snow on the ground and closed schools and businesses for days!! The following week, an ice storm hit Myrtle Beach area and took many by surprise! Including Herb!
Proud to say our Saugerties Chapter members are rather adaptable and can “weather” the storms of winter while hanging on to the visions of spring. Included with this article are two pictures which portray our pond and backyard during the months of January, February and March 2014.
When the weather recovered, Herb visited the nearby nurseries including Coastal Gardens, Loews and Home Depot. He visited Brookgreen Gardens,
We asked our members to submit a brief summary of their experience this past winter.
Page 26 Mid-Atlantic Koi
June 2014
Below are some interesting ways they handled winter woes, beginning with Paul Tomasko’s account: This winter was indeed harsh. I used a return jet from my filters, which I run all year, to ripple the water to keep an opening in the ice. Because of the cold it froze over several times, I used hot water to reopen the ice cover. I never pounded because I knew the possibility of concussions. Each time I raised the jet so it would create more surface agitation, I did not want to create a dome or igloo, which would super freeze the water. I eventually got it right and though I could not see the koi for 3 months, all did survive and seem to be healthy. I have added Koizyme to protect them and Microbe Lift to get the filters started. I waited till the water was 55 degrees and then started feeding them Cheerios. The water runs through filters that are enclosed in a pump house which never freezes. The low temp of the water was 37 degrees. Now, Suzanne Terpening’s version: Yea! Spring has finally arrived. It has been a long time coming this year. My pond was covered with ice and snow far into the time the fish would already be up and swimming. Unfortunately, I experienced a significant loss of fish as have many other pond owners. Thanks to Paul T for his help when I called. Together we put in a large amount of salt and did partial water exchange……..and so, the joys of caring, and maintaining my pond begins! Submitted by Saugerties Member, Richard Douglas Yikes!! What a winter! It arrived early and stayed late. It got bitter cold very quickly and then the ice lasted to the very end of March. Worst of all, it killed my largest, oldest and most favorite fish. I lost three others as well. With those losses and the two fish "murdered" in the hospital tank at the end of last year, it's been a rough season. Oh well, a miserable winter makes the spring seem sweeter than usual and one has to be optimistic as a koi keeper. Also, the flip side of this is a good thing, I get to purchase new fish. A task I always enjoy!
June 2014
Pentair Aquatic Eco-Systems, Inc. Purchases Assets of Emperor Aquatic, Inc. SANFORD, NC – February 2014 – Pentair Aquatic EcoSystems, Inc. announced today it has purchased the assets of Emperor Aquatics, Inc. (EAI), a leading supplier of UV disinfection and water filtering solutions, on December 31, 2013. EAI is headquartered in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. With the addition of EAI, Pentair is well positioned to address the growing concerns over biosecurity in Aquaculture and the increased use of UV disinfection in the Pool industry. “This acquisition provides entry into the growing UV market and is the perfect complement to our existing commercial sanitization products,” said Karl Frykman, President of Pentair Aquatic Systems. By establishing a UV center of excellence, Pentair Aquatic Eco-Systems looks to continue development of tailored engineered solutions across all industries. Robert D. Miller, Chief Financial Officer of Pentair’s Aquatic Systems business, leads the day-to-day operations of Pentair Aquatic Eco-Systems, including EAI. ABOUT PENTAIR AQUATIC SYSTEMS Pentair Aquatic Systems provides leading edge equipment, accessories and water technology solutions to the swimming pool, aquaculture and environmental water monitoring industries. Aquatic Systems produces a broad line of products from pumps and filtration equipment to thermal products, automated controls, lights, automatic cleaners, water purification and treatment technology, UV sterilizers, electromagnetic flow meters, irrigation controls, and more. Applications for Aquatic Systems products include maintenance, repair and renovation of existing in-field equipment, as well as planning and engineered solutions for new installations in North America, Europe, and emerging markets such as China, Latin America and other countries. PENTAIR CONTACT: Rebecca Osborn Senior Manager, External Communications Direct: 763-656-5589 • rebecca.osborn@pentair.com
Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 27
Sunshine Column
Treasurer’s Report Submitted by Anthony Vitale, New York Balance as of March 31, 2014
$15,390.34
Income: Memberships Total Income
355.00
Expenses: Printing/Publication Total Expenses
800.00
$355.00
Balance as of April 30, 2014 Andrea Duggan is continuing to do better. She was able to climb five steps, so she's going to be able to go home soon!! Keep praying!. Know someone to list in our Sunshine Column Email Carolyn Weise, Editor makcmag@makc.com
It’s Time to Renew Your Membership Renew Your MAKC Membership by printing out page 33 and mailing it in. Do it today, it only takes a couple of minutes. Page 28 Mid-Atlantic Koi
$800.00 $14,945.34
Outstanding Item: Accounts Receivable Tri-State Koi Club Book Balance as of April 30, 2014
500.00
$15,445.34
Reserve Account/Prepaid Memberships
Balance Club Total Balance
$6,410.51 $21,855.85
www.makc.com June 2014
On the Road to a Koi Event June 6–8 PNKCA 30th Annual Convention Clackamas, Oregon, contact Tom and Kate Taylor for more information tomkatet@comcast.net or see website at http://www.pnkca.com
June 14-15 Oregon Koi & Watergarden Society's 13th Annual Koi Show www.oregonkoiandwatergardensociety.com
July 11–13 Midwest Pond & Koi Society 17th Annual Koi & Goldfish Show http://www.mpks.org
July 19-20 Santa Clara Valley Koi & Water Garden 23rd Annual Pond Tour www.sckoi.com
July 26-27 North Idaho Koi Keepers 1st ZNA Koi Show, Hoshi Koi in Tacoma, Washington www.northidahokoikeepers.com Have an upcoming Koi event, please send the information to makcmag@makc.com. We will be glad to include it in future articles. Don’t forget your own MAKC Club has events coming up that can be found in our digital magazine or at www.makc.com. We always need volunteers for meetings and shows. It is amazing how much you can learn by helping. Take advantage of being an MAKC member and participate in the club events. See you soon at a Koi event. June 2014
M A KC Eve nt Long Island Chapter Meeting The Chapter has openings for future Koi meetings and the Pond Tour on Sunday, July 20.. Please call Bruce at cell 516-477-1823 or email kuba1953@aol.com
Saugerties Chapter Meetings Sunday, June 8 3:00 pm Hosted by Bernie and Kathy Carroll Contact Herb Ehrich for further information about upcoming meetings koiking15@yahoo.com This year’s meetings July 20 Sept 21 Nov 16
August 17 October 19 Dec 14
Meeting are held at 3 pm - 5 p.m. All places of meeting will be determined Contact Herb for further information koiking15@yahoo.com
MAKC Annual Meeting See Page 35. Send your meeting and event information to Carolyn Weise 516-640-6490 or makcmag@makc.com Deadline June 1st for the July 2014 issue. Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 29
F..A..S..T.. Ads – June Disclaimer: MAKC and its officers assume no responsibility for claims of advertisers or the quality/serviceability of goods offered.
HOUSE FOR SALE. 519 Claremont Dr. Flat Rock, NC 28731
MAKC Member Needs Your Help Non-fish-eating cats, won't hurt your pond fish! - LOVING CATS NEED GOOD HOMES. Passing of spouse forces me to find homes for both inside and outside cats. All neutered. Phone 973-390-6490 with what you are looking for and we can match you with your new best friend.
FOR SALE Remember any MAKC member can list their Koi, pond, or related items for sale here in your magazine at no charge. Please contact Philip today if you have something for sale. BAMBOO. Winter hardy and tropical for indoors. Thinning collection. Reasonable prices. Call Ron Altman, NY 718-442-1673 (Office) or 908-658-3055 (H).
• • • • • •
Price: $599,000 Beds: 3 Bed Baths: 3 Full, 2 Half Bath House Size: 4,067 Sq Ft Lot Size: 1.1 Acres Year Built: 1994
http://www.wncrmls.com/wnc/ maildoc/sd_Q8u1QO20130923150730.html
F..A..S..T.. Ads Policy & Deadlines F..A..S..T.. Ads are available FREE to MAKC members only; no commercial ads. Ads are limited to 10 items and must include name, phone number, town and state. Deadline is the 1st of each month. Help do you have an hour or two? We need a volunteer to manage this page. Please contact
Philip Gray • 516-486-5163 philiegray@mac.com Page 30 Mid-Atlantic Koi
Contact Patricia Shub, dunedog@bellsouth.net or phone 954-208-4600. QUALITY SHOW KOI. Show quality Koi for sale. Need to thin out my pond contact philiegray@mac.com.
WANTED KOI. Foster Home. Large natural pond. Happy to accept your overgrown or unwanted “children.” Call Rich Menashe in Metuchen, NJ, 732-767-0720. June 2014
KOI. Wanted Healthy Pond Grade KOI over 10˝. Will pay reasonable prices. I have a 750,000 gallon pond and will adopt any unwanted KOI. Call Joseph Pollock in Virginia at 540-788-9222. KOI. Wanted for large deep natural pond next to soon to be built wine tasting room in wine country of Northern Virginia. Happy to accept any and all Koi of any size and color. Stop by and visit them next year when our tasting room opens. Call Mark Malick in Purcellville, VA, 540-270-3399 (cell). KOI BITO MAGAZINES – in good condition. Send list with asking price, or call Roger Klocke 701-491-2803, E-mail at rklockejr@aol.com. Mailing address: Roger Klocke, 4805 Meadow Creek Dr., Fargo, ND 58104. KOI STORE EMPLOYEE. Looking for a knowledgeable Koi and pond hobbyist. Part-time, competitive pay. Outstanding employee discounts! Call John at Blue Ribbon Koi Products. 703-753-7566. MAKC CENTRAL CHAPTER VICEPRESIDENT. Schedule 4 to 12 meetings per year. This includes making sure that the meeting announcement is submitted to the magazine and the MAKC website. Plenty of advice and support are available. Your "compensation" .... knowing that you have given back to MAKC and your fellow members. Please don't wait for someone else to step forward! MAKC is a membership organization. If more than one person is interested, you can share the fun! E-mail Philip Gray at philiegray@mac.com or call 516-486-5163.
www.makc.com June 2014
Mid-Atlantic Koi Ad Index Aquaculture Bead Filter Specialists . . . . . . .7, 13 Aquatic Nutrition –
Long Island Fish Hospital . . .5 Matala USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Mazuri . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Blackwater Gold–N . . . . . .19
Microbe-Lift . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Books on Amazon . . . . . . . . .20
Nisei Koi Farm . . . . . . . . .7, 11
Hikari . . . . . . . . .7, Back Cover
Pentair Aquatic
Kloubec Koi Farm . . . . . . . . . .5
Eco-Systems, Inc. . . . . . . . .25
Kodama Koi Farm . . . . . .7, 17
Quality Koi Company . . .7, 11
Advertise in Mid-Atlantic Koi! Ad Rates from $15/issue* for a business card ad to $300/issue* for a full page color ad. Reach your target audience of Koi keepers & water gardeners each month and leave your competition in the dust!! Contact Philip Gray at 516-486-5163 (leave message) or e-mail: philiegray@mac.com to request information on our advertiser packages and/or a copy of our ad rate sheet. *With an annual 10 issue contract.
Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 31
Next Issue Judging Showa
Get a head start on the next issue’s judging article. How would you rank these four Showa?
Have a picture to share? Send your photos to the Editor, Carolyn Weise at makcmag@makc.com.
Page 32 Mid-Atlantic Koi
June 2014
Time to Renew
MAKC Membership Application
W
e are pleased that you have inquired about membership in the Mid-Atlantic Koi Club. The club meets monthly at convenient regional locations in the Mid-Atlantic area and also publishes an informative monthly magazine (bi-monthly in Nov/Dec & Jan/Feb).
Our dues are $30 per year, per family (includes $15.00 for a one-year subscription to Mid-Atlantic Koi Online Magazine). The club year runs June 1st through May 31st of the following year. (Dues are pro-rated per month. Those who join in January or after are also asked to join for the following year.) Join for 4 years for $100 and save - $20. Overseas Membership - $40 per year. Corporate Membership $275 per year which includes advertising and other benefits. Call Richard Douglass at 845-723-4373 or e-mail: ewey38@aol.com for details. Please consult the following chart for the proper amount and send your check (payable to the Mid-Atlantic Koi Club) to Richard Douglass, 34 Sherow Rd., Pleasant Valley, NY 12569. Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
June
July
Aug
Sept
Oct
Nov
Dec
$42.50
$40
$37.50
$35
$32.50
$30
$27.50
$25
$22.50
$20
$17.50
$15
As soon as I receive your check, I will send you a "Welcome to MAKC" email and a list of upcoming meetings in your area. You will also be given the date of your membership expiration. Your email will be added to our MAKC Notice Group to allow you to receive MAKC news and up-to-date information. A great source of information is our MAKC website: www.makc.com. The MAKC membership list may be made available (upon approval by the MAKC Executive Committee) for the dissemination of Koi-related information.
Welcome to MAKC! I sincerely believe you will enjoy it as much as we all do. Membership Committee Mid-Atlantic Koi Club
PLEASE PRINT (You may omit any information that may be sensitive such as unlisted phone numbers or email accounts.) LAST NAME ________________________ FIRST NAME(S) _________________________ (If Applicable) CORPORATE MEMBERSHIP NAME: ______________________________________ ADDRESS _____________________________ CITY__________________ STATE _____ ZIP______ TELEPHONE ______________________ E-MAIL ________________________________ OCCUPATION(S)______________________ Do you have a pond?____ Dimensions____________ Gallons________ Type filter_______________ Do you keep Koi or Goldfish?_________ Type_____________ Size___________ How Many? ______ Are there any Koi related problems you need help with?________ If so, what kind?_______________ ______________________________________________________________________________ Do you have special talents, knowledge or interest you would be willing to share with us? _________ If so, what kind? __________________________________________________________________ Would you be willing to have a Koi Club meeting at your home? ______________________________ SIGNATURE ___________________________ DATE ____________ AMOUNT PAID ___________ June 2014
Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 33
Page 34 Mid-Atlantic Koi
June 2014
Annual MAKC Meeting Dear Members: We will have our Annual MAKC Meeting Sunday, June 29, 2014 at 1:00 PM We will vote for MAKC Officers. We will meet at Koi Market. See address below. Koi Market at the Huntington Main Street Nursery 475 West Main Street Huntington, NY 11743 URL: www.koimarket.com EMAIL: sales@koimarket.com Shawn Rosen CELL: 516-547-0164 We have openings for future Koi meetings and the Pond Tour on Sunday, July 20, 2014. Please call or email me. Cell 516-477-1823 kuba1953@aol.com Thank you, Bruce Levine
June 2014
Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 35