Mid~Atlantic Koi The Magazine of the Mid-Atlantic Koi Club
November/December 2013
Mid~Atlantic Koi The Membership Magazine of the Mid-Atlantic Koi Club
Volume 27, Number 5
November/December 2013
—Upcoming Event
Beginner’s Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Saugerties Chapter Meeting . . . . . . .29
MAKC Corporate Members . . . . . . . . . . .7 Algae– Those Other Plants in Our Pond . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
—MAKC News
Tom Ross, KHA, California
President’s Message . . . . . . . .4 From the Editor’s Desk . . . . . .6 MAKC Health Hotline Volunteers . . . . . . . . .6 Sunshine Column . . . . . . . . .26 Treasurer’s Report . . . . . . . . .29 F..A..S..T Ads . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 Ad Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
Fall Pond Plant Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Kris Hildebrandt, Illinois
New Pond Syndrome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Ken Austin, Certified Koi Keeper
The Case for Multi Chamber Filtration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Ben Plonski; Laguna Koi Ponds
Friendship Award South Carolina Koi Show . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Pond Sitter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 Ken Austin, Certified Koi Keeper
Mid-Atlantic Koi Deadlines for articles, meeting announcements and ads
Pains and Perils of Potassium Permanganate . . . . . . . . . .24 Myron J. Kebus, DVM
Jan/Feb Issue Deadline: Available Online:
December 15 January 15
Saugerties Chapters Last Outdoor Meeting of 2013 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 RoseMarie Ehrich, New York
March Issue Deadline: Available Online:
February 1 March 1
In Memoriam Floyd Broussard . . . . . . .28 On the Road to a Koi Event . . . . . . . . . . .29 Picture to Share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 MAKC Membership Application . . . . .33
Photo taken by Carolyn Weise while on a private pond tour in the Atlanta area.
Holiday Wish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 Mid-Atlantic Koi Magazine Editor, Carolyn Weise
makcmag@makc.com
(239) 573-6650 x105
Advertising Editor, Philip Gray
(516) 486-5163
philiegray@mac.com
Meeting/Events Editor, Joyce Spears (856) 832-4922 gjs63@comcast.net FAST Ads Editor, Philip Gray
(516) 486-5163
Billing and Collections, Floyd Broussard (703) 491-4921
Page 2 Mid-Atlantic Koi
philiegray@mac.com fbrou2801@verizon.net
November/December 2013
MAKC Executive Committee President Philip Gray
(516) 486-5163
philiegray@mac.com
Cell (516) 967-4966 Vice-President Bernie Szer
(516) 241-4655
Dinah Bwint
(610) 287-9178
Anthony Vitale
(516) 420-0740
gasssman246@aol.com
Secretary sanke@verizon.net
Treasurer nyssba96@aol.com
Central Chapter Vice-President
Remember to Renew Your Membership
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 Committe es Membership Barry Hixson
(610) 262-5184 makcmembers@verizon.net AKCA Representative
Philip Gray
(516) 486-3807
philiegray@mac.com
MAKC Sales Ruth & Gene Rice
(304) 725-2333
sew4Koi@comcast.net
MAKC Notice Group Manager Michael Snyder
(301) 762-2059
makc@imsnyder.com
WebMaster Wayne Orchard
(828) 693-3851 waynesorchard@gmail.com Japanese Cultural Coordinator
Floyd Broussard
(703) 491-4921 fbrou2801@verizon.net
Exe c ut ive B o ard Adv is or y Committe e Joe Zuritsky
(215) 575-4001 jzuritsky@parkwaycorp.com
Betty Roemer
(828) 697-2692
roroemer@mchsi.com
Art Lembke
(410) 867-0270
artsKoi1@aol.com
Mike Riordan
(732) 747-6089
Koidog1@verizon.net
Gene Rice
(304) 725-2333
RiceGene@comcast.net
Eric Wilson
(613) 421-7890
wilseric@rogers.com
Ellie Cooper
(610) 865-1163
mamakoi@verizon.net
Don’t Wait – Do it Today. Renewal form you can print out is on page 33.
Ja p a n es e Cul tur a l Adv is er Misa Sitterly
(703) 490-0770
sitterly@comcast.net
MAKC Home Page: http://www.makc.com
Production: Cindy Graham, NextUp Creations
November/December 2013
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
Hello All, The winter holidays are approaching, a time to celebrate all that we should be thankful for in our lives. I want to personally thank all my fellow club members for the successes and opportunities we have enjoyed this past year and I look forward to all of our future events and endeavors in 2014. I am honored to serve as the president of this outstanding club and I look forward to the holiday time of year, wishing all a healthy and happy holiday season.
I want to strongly encourage all members to sincerely consider Volunteering for an available position. A club is made up of its members, and each member along with their respective opinions and skills only strengthens us. Please contact Bruce Levine, (516) 477-1823 or email: bruce@li-koi.com See you soon, Philip Gray philiegray@mac.com
Is your pond ready for winter?
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Beginner’s Corner Ask a question and we will get you an answer.
Question A number of members have asked about cleaning and shutting down their ponds.
Answer The most important thing is to go into winter with a clean pond. Now is the time to put some kind of a net over the pond to keep leaves out. Start with the cleaning. If your pond has a bottom drain the steps are easy. Change 50% of the water and remove any leaves that get through the net cover.
Don’t forget, if you can change 10% of the water once a month over winter, the fish will be healthier next spring. 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!
If your pond does not have a bottom drain, then change 50% of the water by pumping water from the bottom of the pond (the dirtiest water). Clean any debris from the bottom. In both cases replace water adding declor first. When shutting down the pond don’t forget to clean the filter, doing it now makes for an easier startup in spring. To keep the water from freezing over this winter, hang an air stone from an empty water bottle about 9 in. from the surface. If you live in an area with many trees, build a frame over the pond and cover with clear plastic. This keeps your pond clean and also reduces the wind chill over winter. The clear plastic lets light in to grow algae (fish graze on it). November/December 2013
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From the Editor’s Desk by Carolyn Weise makcmag@makc.com Hi, Koi friends, Looking back on the year, a lot has happened. I was looking at the covers and the articles we used in MAKC magazines for 2013. We've gotten some good questions from beginners and I loved the pictures to share. I personally have enjoyed several Koi shows (Central Florida Koi Show, Atlanta Koi, South Carolina Koi show, and the Tri-State ZNA Show), which always brings me together with old and new friends in the hobby. Every person I meet at these events has something new to enrich my life. Each one has an experience that I need to hear. I was privileged to visit Philip Gray’s pond and visit a while with his beautiful fish. I was also taken on a pond tour in Atlanta to see two private properties with gorgeous grounds and Koi ponds. And then, when I think back to the days when it seemed I was taking a very big risk to pay $30 for a fish, my first Koi, I have to laugh now. This year I will not tell you how much I spent on Koi, but I continue to improve the quality of Koi in my pond (like the gorgeous shiro utsiri and goshiki, both added this year.)
MAKC Health Hotline Volunteers Tom Burton
Middletown, NJ
732-671-7045
Jan & Bill Fogle Wayne, PA
610-687-3105
Floyd Broussard Woodbridge, VA
703-491-4921
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.
I want to thank Cindy Graham for all the work she does in getting this magazine together. There is no way this could happen without her. Over the years we have had our ads managers, chapter VP’s, Fast Ads coordinator, and so many others retire, and this year, we have been left without a webmaster. But I am sure we have somebody in the club who can do just the basic web tasks, so I am hopeful. Thanks for Anthony Vitale for stepping up as Treasurer this year, too. I enjoy seeing the pictures and hearing stories about the happenings at the Chapter meetings. I wish I could attend. I miss meetings since moving to Florida. We have much to be grateful for as we go into 2014. Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, and Happy (safe) Holidays everyone! Carolyn Page 6 Mid-Atlantic Koi
November/December 2013
M A KC
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 November/December 2013
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 Barry Hixson at 610-262-5184 or makcmembers@verizon.net Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 7
Algae– Those Other Plants in Our Pond by Tom Ross, KHA, California
mud ponds in Japan is usually quite green, as this keeps the fish healthy and hides them from predators. Unfortunately, it also hides them from us! This makes it hard to see health problems that are common in springtime, like parasite infestations and sores.
Those “Other” Plants in Our Ponds – Algae! In the springtime and through out summer the plants in and around our ponds grow and bloom. Some are welcome and add beauty; then there are various types of algae which hide our fish and clog up filters and plumbing. Each year our ponds go through a cycle based on the seasons. Part of that cycle is when floating algae causes the water to turn murky, even solid green. This is also common when starting a new pond. Then there are several types of algae that grow on the rocks in the waterfall and on the sides of the pond, of these the dreaded string algae (also known as blanket weed) is the most bothersome. Green water is caused by phytoplankton, which is a group of microscopic plants. In nature these are the source of beneficial nutrients needed by fish, such as essential fatty acids. The water in Page 8 Mid-Atlantic Koi
String algae is tough stuff, and can be a real problem. It is hard to remove and seems to stick to anything – even plastic and rubber liner. It can form a foot thick blanket on the sides of the pond, and is generally too tough for the fish to eat. The other types (black, green, brown and even white) that grow on surfaces are usually short and not a concern. It takes three things to grow algae –
• • •
sunlight, nutrients, and a tiny bit of algae to start things going.
It is nearly impossible to keep algae “spores” out, so the first way to control it is to shade the pond. Unfortunately this is not practical in many yards, and a pond can grow algae even in the shade. Nutrients are always being produced by the fish and filter bacteria, so it is very difficult to eliminate these from the pond. November/December 2013
So most ponders do their best to control algae by adding UV, chemicals and/or treatments. UV lighting when adequately sized will clear green water but can be slow to help if the water is particularly thick and murky – the light can’t reach all the algae. It seems more effective at keeping clear water clear, and of course does not kill the string algae on your waterfall. Algae-Fix is an effective and popular chemical treatment but is toxic at higher doses. Most of us use various plant extracts instead, as these are
String Algae String algae, also known as pond scum, blanket algae and pond moss, is a filamentous algae floating on the surface of ponds. It bonds with other filamentous algae to create strings and lime green mats that can take over pond surfaces. It can also grow in pond waterfalls, shallow streams, on the sides of ponds with the most sunlight, and on rocks. Barley straw is one known way to keep this kind of algae from invading your pond as it releases a chemical that controls the growth of algae. It works as a preventative method for such algae; it will not be effective on existing algae. Existing algae can be dealt with manually and by keeping the pH level of your pond under control.
other “natural” treatments it can take several weeks to work. Another well known product is Algae-Off (granules).
String Algae
less potentially harmful. The way these work is that when plants decompose they release enzymes that inhibit new growth – think of this as a sort of defense mechanism. So the “old school” way was to put a bale of barley straw or a bundle of cut bamboo into the pond and let it decay. There are now various powdered and liquid preparations that do the same. I have had good results from Clarity-Max Plus, but like the November/December 2013
Hydrogen Peroxide household (3%) solution will remove string algae from your waterfall. Turn off the pump and let the algae dry out a bit, then spray it on liberally. It will not harm the fish and the algae will turn light green and decay. And once your treatments begin to soften up the stringy stuff, the fish can eat it – ending the cycle for that year. CAUTION: when using any commercial product in your pond it is wise to use less than the prescribed dose. Reprinted from the Inland Koi Connection
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Fall Pond Plant Care by Kris Hildebrandt, Illinois
s the weather gets cooler we all look to the pond and see what needs to be done for the fall. We pull out the tropical plants and lilies to either dispose of or put in the greenhouse for the winter. We cut back the plants as they start to die back for the winter to reduce the bioload of the pond.
A
At this point I usually start to make notes in my Gardening Journal about what did well this year and what did not perform as expected. I always have a few surprises. I will also split those plants, like iris, that need to be split in the fall now. Normally I can find a willing friend to take in my excess plant splits or swap them with other pond owners for splits of something I may not have. Page 10 Mid-Atlantic Koi
Other plants will wait until the spring to get split, like the Zebra Reed or the Water Willow. Those plants have root systems that actually grow very slowly throughout the winter months as long as they are not frozen. This is the time of year when I pull out my strawberry pot trickle towers and remove them from the pond. I will also pull out all the annual flowers that I have planted directly in the pond, streambed or trickle towers. November/December 2013
In zone 5 we usually receive our first frost around midOctober, which signals that it’s time to start to clean up our ponds for the winter ahead. After the clean up you get to sit back and enjoy those last Lotus and hardy Waterlily blooms. Plants that will remain lively throughout the fall until a hard freeze are: Watercress, Creeping Jenny, Zebra Reed, Mare’s Tail, red-stemmed Dwarf Parrot Feather and Aquatic Mint just to name a few. These plants will provide interest as well as still using up any available nutrients in the pond water. This is a time I like to prune my iris back until the leaf stalks are 6-8˝ above the water level. They really make some neat ice sculptures in the winter and add some winter interest. reprinted from the Midwest Pond & Koi Society Newsletter
November/December 2013
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New Pond Syndrome by Ken Austin, Certified Koi Keeper - Koi Organisation International
ow that you have your new pond finally completed and stocked with fish, why does the water look so terrible? It could be New Pond Syndrome.
N
That sounds like technical term for something specific (and easily fixed). Actually it is a blanket term for a whole host of issues about your pond, to include fish ilinesses.The poor water quality associated with a new pond has been called New Pond Syndrome. It is very common to fill a new pond and test the water, then add the fish. The problems with the water quality actually begin after the fish have been added to the pond. Think about all the inert materials the pond system is made of such as plastics and concrete. Page 12 Mid-Atlantic Koi
Think of the initial water fill that was probably chemically treated so that it is safe to drink. That inert and sterile environment needs to be transformed into a biological system that you and your fish will continuously pollute, yet it must remain a safe and healthy habitat for the fish. The term New Pond Syndrome applies to the time period when a recently built pond is making that transformation. The same problem can occur with rebuilt, converted or retrofitted ponds where significant amounts of new material are used. A mature healthy pond will have mature bacteria colonies that can convert all the ammonia the fish can produce. This in turn limits the nutrition available for algae. It is the planktonic algae November/December 2013
(tiny single cell plants) that cloud the water. In the new pond that bacteria is not present and ammonia and nitrites will accumulate. The ammonia and nitrites are nutrition for algae and can cause an abundance of algae called an algae bloom. Building a great pond with substantial filtration and closely monitoring water quality will minimize the extent and consequences of New Pond Syndrome. Also become familiar with the way a new filter will have both ammonia and nitrites cycle up to high levels and then cycle down to below measurable levels as the bacteria become established. Monitor this cycling of ammonia and nitrite levels to be assured that your new filter is fully established. Do not overload a new pond with fish and avoid the temptation to put expensive fish in a new pond during the first year. There is a need for a few fish (one per 500 gallons) to provide ammonia for bacteria in the filter. After the first year the pond will have established a coat of algae on its wetted surfaces and most of the chemical imbalance issues will have disappeared. ď ś
Thank you to Russell Watergardens & Koi for the pictures in this article. www.russellwatergardens.com
November/December 2013
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The Case for Multi Chamber Filtration The Benefits of Multiple Chamber Pond Filtration. by Ben Plonski; Laguna Koi Ponds
www.lagunakoi.com onds are like people; no two are ever alike. Each one has a unique set of variables or characteristics, which set them apart from others. Creating balance in our ponds means establishing a stable filter system and a consistent maintenance program, which will run along smoothly without a lot of trouble. Creating pond stability is within the realm of preventive care. It is taking the long view on things and not just demanding instant results. It requires patience and persistence. A proper filter system will help create a basic stress free environment where the organisms involved are in harmony with one another.
P
Water stability is the prerequisite to balance. Stable water conditions promote good water quality. Stable pond conditions determine how long it will take for Mother Nature to reach a state of dynamic equilibrium. The microorganisms, plankton, algae and plants and fish depend on a stable water chemistry in order to function properly without constant disruption. Most organisms in the pond are quite capable of functioning outside of perfect preconceived notions. What they are not good at is change. Endless change within the water affects all organisms negatively, not just the fish. The fish depend on these multitude of organisms to condition the water. Constant change within the pond chemistry and environment creates antagonism. The good bugs are out of balance with the bad bugs.
November/December 2013
The fish are usually the ones to pay for this antagonistic environment. A proper multiple chamber filter will encourage and support water quality and stability.
What does water stability have to do with water quality? As I mentioned, stable water conditions promote good water quality. A lot of what we call good water quality is created by the action of bacteria and micro algae decomposing the fish’s waste products. The filter system not only filters the water as it passes through, it stabilizes the entire water ecosystem within the pond. The filter is interactive with the soup of “Living Water�. The microorganisms require stability to flourish. In unstable ponds, microorganisms and fish are inhibited by chemical and physical changes. They must adjust to changes and this takes time. The organisms are not flourishing simply because all their energy is going into adapting. Thus, our fish are swimming in a soup where natural microbial balances are out of check. We can say that the biological stability is upset. With a proper system, biological stability keeps bad bugs in check. Happy balanced Living Water acts as a natural probiotic. Probiotic bacteria is nothing new. In nature it is called bio-diversity. Natural ponds have such a tremendous diversity of organisms that no one pathogenic organism can take over. It is only when we put our Koi into crowded unstable conditions that they break down and the pathogens can take over. A large multiple chamber filter will encourage microbiological diversity and biological stability.
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Sample Multi-Chamber Filtration System Includes Vortex Chamber, Brush Chamber, and Biological Chamber
We are making the transition from sterile thinking to stable living thinking. We have seen that what we do to the water, we also do to the fish. Our goal is to achieve maximum water quality by controlling stability within the system. The bottom line is to be flexible; understand the principles; develop your experience and adjust your decisions based on daily observations. Each pond will have to achieve stability in it’s own way. Now we will discuss correct techniques and pond systems, which are conducive to stability and lead us to good Living Water Quality
FILTER SYSTEMS Most pond filters are simply too small. Size does matter! How do you expect to achieve stability with a biofilter that requires weekly cleaning?
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When a biofilter is too small for the waste load of the pond you will be cleaning it too frequently. The good bacteria will be washed away too frequently.
Try these filter sizes: A water garden filter gallons should be 2% to 5% the volume of the pond. 1% to 3% as media. An ornamental Koi/plant pond filter gallons should be 5% or greater depending on fish load. 3% as media. A full fledged Koi display pond filter gallons should be 10% to 20% the volume of the pond. 6% to 8% as media.
November/December 2013
When you install a prefilter ahead of the biofilter you just made a quantum leap in achieving stable Living Water Quality. A good prefilter prevents solids from reaching the pump and biofilter. Now you can clean the prefilter without disturbing the biofilter bacteria. The biofilter bacteria are very slow growing and are easily lost in vigorous frequent cleaning. A good filter system would require weekly cleaning of a prefilter and cleaning the biofilter once or twice a year! This is the difference between filtration and water purification. This is a very important concept to understand. Filtration is the removal of solids from the water. Purification is the conditioning of the water by the action of bacteria, microorganisms, algae and plants. As the water flows through the biofilter it is in contact with large numbers of bacteria. These bacteria not only consume ammonia and nitrite but recycle all the other dissolved organic and inorganic wastes like phosphates and carbon based molecules and left over small solids which past through the prefilter. These bacteria grow on and in between the media, layer upon layer in a bacterial matrix that becomes a little universe all it’s own. This stable population of bugs requires good oxygen flow and stable conditions to flourish. These bugs may take 6 months to a year or more to fully establish. Frequent “disruptive cleaning” of the filter media washes away stable colonies of bacteria. Large filters will bounce back more easily than small ones. Ponds in very cold climates will rely on many aquatic plants for biofiltration since the bacteria often freeze in the winter and a biofilter is restarted every year.
hair algae when the system is given time and stability. Frequent “disruptive cleaning” of the Bio-filter or gravel bottom is antagonistic to stability. This is one reason why ponds go green after a vigorous filter cleaning. Improper filtration is also the reason ponds need big U/V sterilizers. A proper filter size and design greatly reduces the need for a U/V.
Some of the bacteria in the bio-filter and gravel bottoms consume high quantities of phosphorous. In fact, given stable conditions, some of these phosphate eating bacteria can actually grow faster than algae. They are capable of digesting enough phosphate that the algae just starves. This is how a pond clears itself of green water or
I remember a pond, which looked very good, and the Koi were healthy. However, the biofilter had not been deep cleaned for over one year. Furthermore, it had not been completely taken apart for over 5 years. This bio chamber had a good settling tank ahead of it but we still assumed it would be very dirty. Too our surprise
November/December 2013
Disruptive Cleaning and Disease. Most fish ponds have a higher level of nitrogenous waste than would be found in nature. We keep too many Koi and we feed very concentrated, protein rich Koi pellets. This means that our filters and water tend to have a high count of proteolytic bacteria, which consumes these wastes. These proteolytic bacteria are growing in very high concentrations in the biofilter or gravel bottom. These bugs do not belong in the pond water on the fish. When we clean a biofilter or clean a gravel bottom, we potentially release these proteolytic bacteria into the pond. These bacteria are more than happy to continue feeding on proteinaceous material, only this time it is your Koi’s skin. This is one good cause of ulcer disease. Many times I have seen Koi in great shape until the biofilter was cleaned. This is one reason why a proper filter design is important. A good filter design cleans easily without excessive disruption. A good design lets go of the dirt with minimal impact to the bacteria. A good design does not release toxic filter by-products or proteolytic bacteria back onto the fish.
Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 17
it was not dirty at all. The interesting part was after we “cleaned” it and turned the filter back on. All the Koi huddled in the opposite corner as far away from the filter as possible for over one week. Fortunately, the Koi remained healthy, but this does show that we released some very uncomfortable chemicals or bacteria, which really bothered the Koi. Had this filter been full of black anaerobic sludge, I cringe at the thought of what may have occurred.
The Case for Multi-Chambered Filters. Multichamber filter systems are more stable than a “one tank does it all” approach. You can clean one of the chambers at a time and thereby not disturb the entire system. When you clean individual chambers you are less likely to flush loose waste and bad bacteria back onto the fish. Chambers toward the end of the system can literally stay clean. A 3 chamber system is more stable than a 2 chamber system. The filter systems in and of the more serious hobbyists, utilize 4 or more chambers. I have seen systems with up to 13 chambers, which were highly successful. The bacteria in these systems can grow in peace and truly stabilize. Water quality produced by multi-chambered filters is the best. The best water quality is achieved when your filter is gravity fed and the pump is at the end of the system. I have said it a thousand times, “keep the solids out of your pump”. You instantly pollute your water when the fish waste goes through the pump. This creates an endless list of potential problems including hole disease and algae problems. In my experience, the advantages of a large, gravity fed, multi-chambered non-pressurized filter put them at the top of the list of choices available today.
A well designed multichambered filter can be successful with many different types of media. Various filter media are available which are very easy to clean of dirt without dislodging much bacteria. Japanese mat in a honey comb configuration does not trap the dirt within the media. Suspended solids are removed either through settling or other prefilter tank. This keeps the dirt out of the Japanese mat and it remains aerobic. Other media choices include ribbon types, brushes and the new Kaldness KI. The new Matala filter mats are unique in that they can trap dirt but easily let go of the dirt without losing too much bacteria. The 4 various densities of Matala can be arranged sequentially so as to trap dirt in the prefilter section and function as a highly aerobic media in the biofilter section.
Maintenance Establish a consistent maintenance program to promote stability and ease back pain. The design of the pond should revolve around ease of maintenance. If you set up your filter so it can be easily backwashed, you are more likely to do it religiously. What I see all too frequently is a
Size the filtration to fit your pond and the fish load.
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pond, which goes from one extreme to another, too dirty, too clean, too dirty, too clean. Letting the pond turn to garbage and then completely cleaning everything will never get you to the balanced pond you were hoping for. Alas, many pond and filter designs limit us to this kind of cleaning. Get the right filter design and you will be in charge.
Water Changes and Filter Cleaning. Proper water changes are extremely valuable in maintaining stability. Tap water is totally different from your ponds water in pH, alkalinity, temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen; it is sterile and contains chloramines. Make small water changes frequently. 10% water changes spread out more frequently are better than big water changes done infrequently. Don’t make big water changes unless absolutely necessary. Some emergency situations may indeed demand a large dilution. Toxic chemicals like pesticides or paint would require an immediate 70% to 100% water change to save the fish. A high ammonia or nitrite level would be better controlled with 10% to 20% daily water changes and corrective filtration principles.
health of these microorganisms. Water stability is an end product of planning and proper filter design. Water stability takes time and patience. It requires staying within limits. Maintaining stability requires a filter system that can be cleaned without disrupting the pond. We have seen that a proper filter system requires a good prefilter to keep the dirt from reaching the biological chambers. A proper filter should be as large as you can fit. A proper filter system should consist of multiple chambers to promote stability. Two to three chambers is good; three or more chambers is even better. Each pond will acquire it’s own unique state of balance. Be flexible. Observe your pond water conditions and your fish every day. You are aqua-culturists. You must learn to culture stable Living Water. A good multiple chamber filter system is critical in establishing this stability. ď ś
Crowded Koi ponds or show Koi displays may need 25% to 65% monthly water changes. Be careful of chloramines. Water gardens do not require large monthly water changes. We have seen that creating a stable balanced pond is a lot more than just producing good numbers. We have learned that to take care of the fish we must take care of the Living Water.
Conclusion The quality of Living water is determined by the health of the microorganisms in a dynamic equilibrium with the filter system. The stability of the pond, chemically and physically, determines the
November/December 2013
Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 19
MAKC Friendship Award South Carolina Koi Show
Asagi 22 – 24˝ owned by Rich Eitel
Carolyn Weise presenting the MAKC Friendship Award to Rich Eitel. Award was donated by Dick and Betty Roemer.
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November/December 2013
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o you now have the opportunity to take that long deserved vacation. You and the family will be out of town for one or two weeks. You can take the dog to the kennel and stop the mail and paper delivery, but what do you do about the pond? Keep in mind we are talking about being away from home for a long duration. You know from experience, that your pond can go for a day or two without even the basic maintenance tasks like adding water or emptying the skimmer basket. If you will be gone longer than that, you should have someone visit your pond daily to take care of it – a pond sitter.
Selecting a Pond Sitter The pond sitter should be someone you trust and someone you would welcome into your home. This could be a family member, friend or neighbor. They do not have to be experienced pond keepers, but they should be able to follow written instructions. Arrangements can also be made with a pond maintenance company.
Preparation and Instruction Just as when you ask someone to take on any responsibilit, you will want your pond sitter to be successful at that task. So, make sure they are prepared. Write down all specific things you want Page 22 Mid-Atlantic Koi
them to do; when each item on the list must be done; and detailed instructions on how to do each item. Make sure the instructions are appropriate for the season (e.g. summer vs. winter). Have the person come visit your pond before you leave, so you can discuss and demonstrate each item on the list. Show them where the circuit breakers, fish food and chemicals are. If these items are in the house or garage that will be locked while you are gone, make sure the pond sitter has a key. You should also prepare your pond sitter to deal with the unexpected. They seldom happen, but power outages and equipment failures do occur. Fish have been known to jump out of their ponds for unexplained reasons. There is also the unlikely, but possible threat of predators, vandals and thieves. This may make pond sitting sound like too much responsibility, but it does not need to be. Your membership in MAKC provides you with a valuable resource for this situation. Any fellow MAKC member may be able to help your pond sitter in an emergency. Make sure your pond sitter has the phone number of someone in town they can call for help.
Pond and Equipment Condition Your pond sitter has a much better chance of being successful if your pond and equipment is in tip-top shape before you leave. Fix any known problems. Your pond sitter should not have to November/December 2013
deal with problems like water leaks or circuit breakers that keep tripping.
Those look yummy!
Murphy’s Law anything that can go wrong will go wrong when you are not there Make sure automatic fill valves and automatic feeders are in good working order. Avoid adding any new fish or plants just prior to leaving on vacation. Make sure all your fish look and act healthy prior to you leaving. Have a great vacation. ď ś
November/December 2013
Can I have one or two mommy?
Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 23
Taming the Beast: The Pains and Perils of Potassium Permanganate by Myron J. Kebus, DVM Reprinted from the September 2004 issue of our newsletter; and with permission of Water Gardening, July/August 2003, where this article first appeared. Dr. Kebus, DVM, is currently Wisconsin’s State Fish Epidemiologist, Wisconsin Department of Agriculture. In 1993, his was the first fish only private veterinary practice in the Mid-west. His focus is commercial and ornamental fish and biosecurity.
otassium permanganate (PP) is a chemical that’s used to treat fish illnesses and diseases. Although highly effective, it’s also highly toxic. A little bit can go much too far very quickly. Experienced pond owners have stood by in shocked helplessness as an inadvertent overdose quickly killed their entire pond of Koi and goldfish in a matter of moments. If you use it, do so sparingly and wisely. If you’re not experienced at handling toxic chemicals, you probably shouldn’t use it at all. In short, PP is much like a wild beast—if you keep it, you have to know how to use it wisely to do it well.
P
The Nature of the Beast PP is an oxidizing agent; it works by changing the chemical nature of organic material, breaking it down into carbon dioxide, bicarbonates, water, and manganese dioxide, which are then washed out of your pond with the filter waste. Professionals in fish culture have used PP for many years, and it is still most widely used on large farm ponds. Most use PP to treat a variety of fish diseases and illnesses.
The Bite of the Beast Although PP has its benefits, it also has many drawbacks. These can be serious, even fatal, for Koi and goldfish. And there are side effects that can hurt the fish owner, too. Page 24 Mid-Atlantic Koi
PP is entirely non-selective. In other words, it can affect plants, animals, parasites and other living cells on our fish, regardless of what we want it to do. Say you’ve treated the pond to destroy the parasite that’s infected the gills of your favorite Koi. If the dosage is just a little too high (another serious problem we’ll discuss in a moment), it will kill not only the parasite but the gills of your fish as well. It won’t stop with just the bad things in your pond, but will go on to attack good things, too – like your fish, your tadpoles, and your snails. Another problem with PP is that it is fast-acting. By the time you realize that you’ve put too much in the pond, it may be too late. The fish may be wounded, possibly fatally, by the overdose. Removing them from the pond to fresh water might not save them. Doing a water change will be even less effective.
Taming the Beast The biggest problem with PP is dosage. Just a little too much can kill every fish in your pond in a matter of moments. This means you absolutely, positively must use precisely the amount required—and not a milligram more. To find the proper dosage, you have to take into account a lot more than the amount of water in your pond. As a general rule, an effective treatment dose is usually two parts per million, or two mg of PP per Liter of water. This may sound simple, but it’s not always easy to determine how many liters you have in your pond. You need exact numbers, not ballpark figures. This takes a lot of time and practice. A seemingly small margin of error can have an enormous effect on our fish. November/December 2013
Obviously a more precise method is in order. Collect several jars of water and treat each with the equivalent of zero, one, two, three, four, and up to twelve mg per liter (parts per million). After 15 minutes, the jar that has the lowest concentration of PP, but still has a pink cast, is
As an oxidizing agent, PP won’t stop with your water and your fish. It can oxidize you, too, burning your eyes and skin and damaging your respiratory tract. For those reasons, always wear rubber gloves, a dust mask, and old clothes. Use extreme caution when handling PP and treat it with the respect it deserves. In terms of alternative uses for PP, some claim that it can boost oxygen levels in the pond. Frankly, this just isn’t so. In fact, PP is more likely to decrease the oxygen level and kill algae, since it breaks down organic material and in so doing reduces the level of oxygen in the water. PP can be an effective disinfectant for equipment, but damages certain materials; rubber and natural fibers deteriorate very quickly when they come into contact with water that has been mixed with PP.
the dose to use. This takes more time and effort, but not using it puts you at great risk of overtreating your pond. Besides the tricky business of finding the right dosage based on water volume, PP poses other challenges. Remember that PP works by breaking down organic material in the pond, such as leaves, uneaten fish food, fish feces, and the like. If there is a lot of organic material in your pond, the PP will probably be used up reacting to that rather than the organism for which you were treating in the first place. Use too little PP, though, and it will be ineffective against the foreign organism plaguing your fish. Obviously, PP should never be used in a pond that needs to be cleaned of dead leaves or uneaten fish food. [Ed.’s note: or with an under gravel filter.]
PP can react with other chemicals in the pond, making it even more lethal to our Koi and goldfish. Don’t use it with formalin or high salt levels. If the pH in the pond is high, PP is even more toxic and can cause irreparable damage, especially to gills. This means you have to be especially careful if using PP in pondwater that is naturally high in pH. November/December 2013
The Art of Taming PP Using PP is more than a science – it’s an art. Professionals use PP for the same reasons as hobbyists, but they have a lot more knowledge about its chemistry and a lot more experience with its use. As much as home pondkeepers may care for their fish, most will never have the expertise of a professional – expertise that is crucial to successful PP treatment. I’ve never been convinced enough to recommend it to clients. In my experience, I’ve found that the problems were greater than the benefits. Whether you’re a professional or a hobbyist, always be extremely careful using PP, and make sure to err on the side of caution. In other words, leave the lions to the lion tamers. Reprinted from the Washington Koi and Water Garden Society. Material is selected for its interest to Koi keepers and water gardeners. The Washington Koi and Water Garden Society accepts no responsibility for content. Reproduction is permitted provided that this newsletter is credited as the source. All material that is submitted to this newsletter becomes the property of this newsletter. You may reach the editor at : WK & WGS, P. O. Box 148, Bothell, WA 98041 or by e-mail at newsletter@washingtonkoi.org.
Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 25
Need to Change Your email or Home Address?
Sunshine Column
Have Questions about your Membership Status? Contact: Barry Hixson 5465 Towanda Dr. Bethlehem, PA 18017 610-262-5184 or makcmembers@verizon.net Renew Your MAKC Membership by printing out page 33 and mailing it to Barry.
Carolyn Weise has Dupuytren's Contracture and osteo-arthritis in her finger joints, both of which are painful. She is under doctor's care right now. They have given her cortisone shots so far and we hope they work. Know someone to list in our Sunshine Column Email Carolyn Weise, Editor makcmag@makc.com
Books Available on Amazon.com 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.
ABC’s of Ponds – Have a friend interested in building a pond? Are you a beginner? This beautifully illustrated hard cover book is packed with pond & water feature fundamentals plus many little known secrets to successful pond keeping!
The RISE Method Want to learn how to make your pond projects look more natural? Written by Rick Bartel, international acclaimed pond builder.
Page 26 Mid-Atlantic Koi
Special Offer
only $10 + shipping
November/December 2013
Saugerties Chapters Last Outdoor Meeting of 2013 by RoseMarie Ehrich, New York
n Sunday, October 20, the Saugerties Chapter gathered together at the home and Koi pond of Jack Paparo.
O
We welcomed to our meeting a possible new member. We assured him that joining MAKC, and attending chapter meetings would be the recommended way to learn how to provide the best environment for your precious Koi. Herb answered questions, and then there was much discussion among the members regarding bottom drains, algae, string algae and various plant materials. Jack was a wonderful host and provided refreshments that were enjoyed by all. This meeting at Jack’s home is the last outdoors meeting of the 2013 season. November/December 2013
Herb provided three unique pond/Koi related items for raffle. He raised a total of $38 which will be mailed to MAKC treasurer. Just as the sun went down and the wind started to whip around, the meeting was adjourned. Our next meeting will be held on November 17 at Inquiring Minds Bookstore, and the topic will be Pond Lighting. ď ś Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 27
In Memoriam Floyd Broussard Dear Friends, After a prolonged and courageous battle with cancer, MAKC member Floyd Broussard passed away at home on October 24, 2013. Thank you for the countless hugs, messages and words of comfort our family has received during this vigil. We have truly appreciated each and every kind word and gesture. A Celebration of a Life memorial service was held at 12pm on Sunday, October 27, 2013. Location: Miller Funeral Home and Crematory, 3200 Golansky Blvd., Woodbridge, VA 22192. The celebration was continued, immediately following the service, with a gathering of family & friends for a buffet luncheon on site. Fondly, Carolyn Broussard In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Mesothelioma Research Foundation of America, mesorfa.org. Page 28 Mid-Atlantic Koi
November/December 2013
On the Road to a Koi Event 2014 March 1–2
Koi Club of San Digeo 27th Koi Show San Digeo, California Check club’s website for updates www.koiclubofsandiego.org (new web address)
March 7–9
M A KC E v e n t Saugerties Chapter Meeting Sunday, November 17 Inquiring Minds Bookstore Saugerties, New York Topic - Pond Lighting Contact Herb Ehrich for additional information (845) 247-7105 · koiking15@yahoo.com
Central Florida Koi Show 2014 Orlando, Florida www.cfks.org 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. We hope to see more of you visiting shows, attending club meetings, and volunteering to help at Koi events this year. 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.
Treasurer’s Report Submitted by Anthony Vitale, New York Balance as of August 31, 2013
$17,511.57
Income: Total Income
$0.00
Expenses: Printing/Publication Total Expenses
800.00 $800.00
Balance as of August 31, 2013
$16,711.57
Outstanding Item: Accounts Receivable Tri-State Koi Club
Send your meeting and event information to Joyce Spears 856-832-4922 or gjs63@comcast.net. Deadline December 15th for the Jan/Feb 2014 issue. November/December 2013
Book Balance
500.00
$17,211.57
Reserve Account/Prepaid Memberships Interest Income
.18
Balance as of August 31, 2013 Club Total Balance
$6,409.39 $23,620.96
Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 29
F..A..S..T.. Ads – November/December Disclaimer: MAKC and its officers assume no responsibility for claims of advertisers or the quality/serviceability of goods offered.
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 Ellie 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).
CLOSING POND/Woodbridge, VA. 25 Koi need a new home. Most are 24 to 30˝, 2 are 32˝. Contact Carolyn Broussard @ 703 491-4921 or for apt to view. HOUSE FOR SALE. 519 Claremont Dr. Flat Rock, NC 28731 • • • • • •
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 Contact Patricia Shub, dunedog@bellsouth.net or phone 950-298-4600 QUALITY SHOW KOI. Show quality Koi for sale. Need to thin out my pond contact philiegray@mac.com
WANTED
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
KOI. Foster Home. Large natural pond. Happy to accept your overgrown or unwanted “children.” Call Rich Menashe in Metuchen, NJ, 732-767-0720. 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 November/December 2013
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. MAKC WEBMASTER- Needed immediately. Update club website one to two times a month on average. Please E-mail Philip Gray at philiegray@mac.com or call 516-486-5163.
To become a member or renew is easy. Fill out the form on page 33, mail it in - and violia you are a member! November/December 2013
Mid-Atlantic Koi Ad Index Aquaculture Bead Filter Specialists . . . . . . .7, 14 Aquatic Nutrition –
Long Island Fish Hospital . . .19 Matala USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Mazuri . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Blackwater Gold–N . . . . . . .13
Microbe-Lift . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Books on Amazon . . . . . . . . .20
Nisei Koi Farm . . . . . . . . . .7, 14
Hikari . . . . . . . . . .7, Back Cover
Pentair Aquatic
Kloubec Koi Farm . . . . . . . . . .5
Eco-Systems, Inc. . . . . . . . .13
Kodama Koi Farm . . . . . . .7, 23
Quality Koi Company . . . .7, 14
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
A Picture to Share
This is a 24" Butterfly (Longfin Koi) in my pond.
Photo shared by MAKC Member Jeff Hahn. Have a picture to share? Send your photos to the Editor, Carolyn Weise at makcmag@makc.com. ď ś
Page 32 Mid-Atlantic Koi
November/December 2013
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 Barry Hixson at 610-262-5184 or e-mail: makcmembers@verizon.net for details. Please consult the following chart for the proper amount and send your check (payable to the Mid-Atlantic Koi Club) to me, Barry Hixon, 5465 Towanda Dr., Bethlehem, PA 18017. 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. Barry Hixson 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 ___________ November/December 2013
Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 33
Wishing a warm and joyous h o li d ay s t h is y e a r .
Photo by Michael Henderson Page 34 Mid-Atlantic Koi
November/December 2013