Mid~Atlantic Koi The Magazine of the Mid-Atlantic Koi Club
September 2014
Mid~Atlantic Koi The Membership Magazine of the Mid-Atlantic Koi Club
Volume 28, Number 3
September 2014
—Upcoming Events Long Island Chapter Meeting . . . . . .31 Saugerties Chapter Meeting . . . . . . .31
Beginner’s Corner – Power Failure . . . . .5 Don Harrawood, SKAPA, KHA
MAKC Corporate Members . . . . . . . . . .7
—MAKC News President’s Message . . . . . . . .4 From the Editor’s Desk . . . . .6 Sunshine Column . . . . . . . . .30 MAKC Health Hotline Volunteers . . . . . . . .31 Treasurer’s Report . . . . . . . .31 F..A..S..T Ads . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 Ad Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
Mid-Atlantic Koi Deadlines for articles, meeting announcements and ads October Issue Deadline: September 1 Available Online: October 1 Nov/Dec Issue Deadline: October 15 Available Online: November 15
Long Island Chapter Pond Tour . . . . . .8 Susan Levine
Introducing Sakai Koi Farm . . . . . . . . .14 Courtesy of Hikari USA
Why Quarantine? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Ed Keene (DCAS)
Stop Koi Myths . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 G. Todd Williams, Washington
Summer Pond Tips – Part 3 . . . . . . . . .22 Ray Jordan, Texas
Floating Salad Bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Lisa Burns, Backyard Getaway
Different Styles of Air Pumps . . . . . . .26 Linda Montgomery, KHA, Oregon
On the Road to a Koi Event . . . . . . . . . .30
Page 2 Mid-Atlantic Koi
Long Island Chapter Pond Tour
Picture to Share - More Pond Tour . . . .34
Photo by Susan Levine
MAKC Membership Application . . . . .35
Susan Levine, New York
September 2014
MAKC Executive Committee President Joann Mead
(845) 389-5712
jo_mead@earthlink.net
Vice-President Herb Ehrich
(845) 247-7105
koiking15@yahoo.com
Secretary Looking for a Volunteer Treasurer Anthony Vitale
(516) 420-0740
nyssba96@aol.com
Central Chapter Vice-President Looking for a Volunteer Long Island Chapter Vice-President Bruce Levine
(516) 735-2644
Remember to Renew Your Membership
bruce@li-koi.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
pvsherow@gmail.com
MAKC Sales Looking for a Volunteer MAKC Notice Group Manager Michael Snyder Sarah Johnson
(301) 762-2059 makc@imsnyder.com WebMaster (732) 567-6678 sarranna@yahoo.com
Executive Board Advisor y C ommittee Joe Zuritsky (215) 575-4001 Eric Wilson
Don’t Wait – Do it Today.
jzuritsky@parkwaycorp.com
(443) 203-6486
wilseric@comcast.net
MAKC Home Page: http://www.makc.com
Renewal form you can print out is on page 35.
Production: Cindy Graham, NextUp Creations
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.
September 2014
Mid-Atlantic Koi Magazine Editor, Carolyn Weise
(239) 573-6650 x105
Advertising Editor, Joann Mead
(845) 389-5712
makcmag@makc.com jo_mead@earthlink.net
Meeting/Events Editor, Carolyn Weise (239) 573-6650 x105 makcmag@makc.com FAST Ads Editor, Carolyn Weise (239) 573-6650 x105 makcmag@makc.com
Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 3
President’s Message by Joann Mead Suggestions4MAKC@gmail.com
t's hard to believe that it is already September! The subtle seasonal changes started mid-August at my bird feeder with the male American Goldfinch changing colors from the brilliant yellow and shiny black with a bit of white to their drab olive winter coloring . The Rose-Breasted Grosbeak who use to frequent my bird feeder has headed back to
I
Central and South American to its winter feeding grounds. I would like to clarify some questions that have been raised regarding Yahoo/Facebook. We would never require members to have a Facebook account in order to be in the Club. Koi/pond ownership is mostly linked to home ownership. Most current home owners are Baby Boomers and Gen X's. The Millennials, who are the most socially tech savvy in general but few are home owners right now. So we will be communicating with members via email and Facebook so we can reach both audiences. If you change your email address please let us know. On July 20, 2014 the LI Chapter hosted their annual pond tour. This could not have been done without Bruce Levine's orchestration. I really enjoyed the beautiful pictures Susan Levine shared with the club. Thank you Bruce and Susan! I know that summer is a very busy time for many of us and I really appreciate the members who open their homes to host Club meetings. Lastly, I would like to encourage everyone to shop at all of our sponsors and vendors that support us. It would be really nice to show our appreciation by shopping at their business. Joann Mead
Page 4 Mid-Atlantic Koi
September 2014
Beginner’s Corner - Power Failure Ask a question and we will get you an answer.
Question What should I do if there is an electrical power failure?
Answer Answered by Don Harrawood SKAPA - KHA A pond owner can lose all their koi due to an electrical outage during a thunderstorm. The electricity at the pond can go off and be unnoticed for a period of several hours causing an inadequate supply of oxygen in the water. Most commonly electrical interruptions during a rainstorm are caused by the tripping of a ground fault interrupter (GFI) that protects the pond from electrical problems. If GFIs get damp, they will shut off the electrical circuit to the pond pump. GFI’s can be reset by pushing the reset button after a failure; however, if a pond owner is not aware of the circuit failure, pond water can go without aeration and ammonia removal for several hours before the failure is noticed. Pond water in summer months is about 80°F temperature or more. Warm water contains very little oxygen and needs to be continually aerated in order for koi to survive. When electricity goes off, water flow stops and aeration ceases. Some safeguards for electrical failures are listed below: • If the pond has more than one pump, put the pumps on separate electrical circuits. The dual system will increase safety. • If the pond has a waterfall, add an electrical driven aerator and put these on separate electrical circuits. • During power failures, one can use a portable gasoline driven generator to provide elecSeptember 2014
tricity during the power failure. These small generators can be purchased at Lowes, Home Depot, and Automobile parts stores. • An audible alarm can be installed to notify the pond owner when water flow stops. • A non-mechanical solution is to add 0.03% Hydrogen Peroxide to the pond water to supply oxygen. Apply 0.03% Hydrogen Peroxide at the rate of ONE QUART to FIVE THOUSAND GALLONS of pond water. Dilute this in a large container of pond water and spread along the edges of the pond. Agitate the water with a stick or paddle to spread the concentration of Hydrogen Peroxide as evenly as possible. An alternative is to pour some of the mixture in the water every few minutes rather than all at once. Keep it away from the fish as much as possible since this concentration when not mixed well with the water can be caustic to fish gills. This concentration should supply adequate oxygen for 3 to 4 hours. A quart of 0.03% Hydrogen Peroxide is handy to have on hand just for this type of emergency. If koi are starving for oxygen, they can be seen at the surface gulping for air. 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! Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 5
From the Editor’s Desk by Carolyn Weise makcmag@makc.com
here is this summer going! One of my favorite summer events has always been the pond tour. Where it usually started at my pond when I lived on Long Island, now I get to see it in photos. This month we have Susan Levine's beautiful photography. It's almost like being there! In fact, Ken & Carole G. have my lovely large golden
W
new fish into the family. Thank you, Ed Keene. And G. Todd Williams gives us some wonderful views of longstanding Koi Myths that need to be debunked, now! Help us to spread the word. Take a look at what you can do with edible plants in the pond. Thanks to Lisa Burns of Backyard Getaway, Myakka City, FL for this article. She reminds me of when I used to take friends and visitors on a tour of my yard and offer them chamomille, water mint, and so many other edible plants to eat as we walked through the gardens. Linda Montgomery, KHA in Washington State is one of my favorite resources and so is Ray Jordan in Texas, when it comes to learning about keeping ponds healthy. We will really miss Ray! Check out their articles. They always have valuable info for all of us. And Hikari has another wonderful article on Koi breeders in Japan! We are so lucky!
butterfly swimming in their pond and I've just gotten to enjoy Goldie again. In this issue we are reminded about the importance of quarantine when bringing
Page 6 Mid-Atlantic Koi
Please send any news from your pond, your area, your weather or whatever you have to me. Send me photos, I love photos, and we'll get them into the magazine. We'll make you famous. See you next month, be safe and enjoy the remainder of your summer. Yours in Koi! Carolyn
September 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 September 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 Joann Mead at 845-389-5712 or jo_mead@earthlink.net Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 7
Long Island Chapter Pond Tour July 20, 2014 article and photos by Susan Levine
n July 20, the Long Island Chapter of MAKC held our annual pond tour. We traveled 184 miles on Long Island from Sagaponack to Rosedale Queens. It was a great day with beautiful ponds, gardens, birds, turtles, bonsai and trains.
O
Each pond offered a unique view of the owners love for Koi and other living creatures. At Jim K’s pond we were invited to walk through his woodland yard which he shares with his Koi and birds.
Jim K’s Pond Ken G’s pond a huge natural formed pond with beautiful fish and foliage. His Koi share this space with his horses, goat and chickens. Page 8 Mid-Atlantic Koi
August 2014
Long Island Chapter Pond Tour
Steve and Nancy B’s pond a delight for all the senses. Their Koi share this space with an amazing train display as well as beautifully manicured Bonsai trees. The yard is alive with activity. Mike and Joan B’s pond is whimsical and fun. Their Koi share this space with water turtles and two large land turtles. A fun place to spend a relaxing afternoon. Dalton R’s pond is a beautiful oasis away from the world with decking and comfortable lounges to relax away any afternoon. Enjoy these photos of some of the highlights of our tour. Thank you to all that opened their ponds and homes. August 2014
Ken and Carole G’s Pond
Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 9
Long Island Chapter Pond Tour
Steve and Nancy B’s Pond Page 10 Mid-Atlantic Koi
August 2014
Long Island Chapter Pond Tour
Mike and Joan B’s Pond August 2014
Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 11
Long Island Chapter Pond Tour
Dalton R’s Pond Page 12 Mid-Atlantic Koi
See page 34 - Pictures to Share for additional photos. August 2014
Introducing Sakai Fish Farm Courtesy of Hikari USA
ontinuing our conversations with leading Japanese Koi breeders this time we visited Sakai Fish Farm, the largest producer of high quality Koi in Japan and the breeder of five of the last 10 All Japan Koi Show Champions. We interviewed Mr. Kentaro Sakai to get his thoughts
C
on their very technical approach to Koi breeding.
I. About Sakai Fish Farm History The farm began growing “Magoi” around 1897 in Hiroshima which they have helped develop into the one of the two largest Koi breeding regions in Japan. Their Nishikigoi breeding started in 1955. Today, “Gosanke” varieties are their main focus, but a large variety of other types of Koi are also grown in about 90 ponds covering Page 14 Mid-Atlantic Koi
August 2014
five cho (+/-12.25 acres) areas for young Koi, 80 ponds covering thirty cho (+/- 73.5 acres) areas for two- to five-year-old Koi and 14 indoor ponds.
Equipment As one of the most technologically advanced Koi farms in Japan, they introduced, the heated indoor pond, construction of artificial field ponds, the use of modern and never-used farming equipment and the study of fish health conditions in cooperation with specialized facilities to develop novel treatment procedures. They are synonymous with high level Nishikigoi breeding around the world. Their farm primarily uses river water requiring their fresh water supply and water circulation processes be equipped with filtration and disinfection devices that offer optimal water quality conditions. Most of these processes have been developed exclusively in-house.
Water Quality Control House
Furthermore, their indoor ponds are equipped with automatic feeding machines, high-level oxygen generating equipment, high-volume
River water filtration/ disinfection facility River Water --> Sand Strainer--> Sedimentation Settler --> 1st Sand Filtration Tank--> 2nd Sand Filtration Tank --> UV Sterilizer = 300 tons of river water is treated daily.
Automatic Feeding Machine
aeration equipment, temperature/pH monitors, UV sterilization and a number of other unique procedures to maintain ultimate water quality. All the technical data collected through these various processes is a key to their cultivation of prize winning Koi.
Enzyme Machine August 2014
(1) Automatic feeding machine (2) Oxygen generator (3) Pond water temperature recording station Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 15
field pond. Cement pond breeding can be compared to training camp for top athletes, where promising players are able to achieve improved results by getting in shape. Keeping the fish in a cement pond helps us control the timing of a Koi's optimal condition based on its Koi show schedule. On the contrary, if we want to grow out two or three year old, young Koi using a field pond enables us to get the rapid growth we desire. We choose the best method according to the purpose and the age of the Koi. Merits of cement pond breeding • Direct observation of the Koi enables us to control their physical condition and adjust the amount of food to obtain the growth we require. • The Koi are not subject to the weather condition impact. • The Koi suffer fewer accidents than those kept in the field pond. The ideal body conformation and dignified appearance of this Koi is a Sakai signature. It won the grand championship at the 42nd All Japan Combined Nishikigoi Show in 2011 (Size 90bu), fed Saki-Hikari®.
II. The Production Style of Sakai Fish Farm Q: What is your breeding policy?
In this 10-ton pond, the 28th All Japan Young Show's Grand Champion, a 63 Bu Kohaku, was finished. It achieved three consecutive wins, a first in show history. Kyorin's Saki-Hikari®
We are keenly focused on the appearance of our fish and their chances of winning a major Koi show. We feel there are five principal requirements; state-of-the-art equipment, high quality water, good Koi parents, data use to improve results and the use of a high quality diet. Q: Could you give us more specific breeding methods? Breeding Koi in a cement pond with centralized control and clear pond water is easier than in a Page 16 Mid-Atlantic Koi
August 2014
70 ton Pond
“Deep Red™” worked extremely well to enhance the “Hi” while Saki-Hikari® “Pure White™” helped develop a very nice “shiroji.” Using SakiHikari® we now fully realize the importance diet can play. This 70-ton pond is used to finishing Koi we intend to enter in the All Japan Koi Show annually. The 70 ton water volume and additional length is our minimum requirement to make the Koi work out properly. The long and narrow pond enables us to easily use a scoop net. It is equipped with an independent filtration system so that we can adjust the water quality as necessary.
III. Brief Advice About How to Grow Beautiful Koi • Choose Koi with a quality bloodline. Most champion-grade Koi are of prestigious lineages. Purchase those Koi, such as Sakaibred Koi, through reliable Koi dealers. August 2014
• Focus on water quality. Regular measurement of water temperature and pH helps identify any change in water quality. Quality water is a key to bringing out the full potential of a Koi. • Choose a diet that is proven to be of high quality. Your Koi should eat the food aggressively, we suggest the Sakai's brand and Kyorin's Saki-Hikari®, these are the diets we use and know produce an outstanding result. Remember, no matter how good all the other breeding conditions are, poor quality food can spoil the growth of your Koi and eliminate their chances of winning a show. We feel the importance of diet comprises 30 to 40 percent of the ultimate grow out success. • Decide the amount of food based on the weight of your fish. Consider water temperature and condition as well as the condition of your Koi to develop the ideal amount. Don't impulsively change Temperature Control Box the type or amount of food, as this also impacts the result. Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 17
It's as easy as A B C . . . Pond Basic Concepts . . .
Why Quarantine? by Ed Keene (DCAS) Adapted for Ponds by Carolyn Weise
Quarantine Room at Laguna Koi Ponds
ave you ever heard of anyone who had a very well established pond with beautiful, happy, and healthy Koi? Well one day they decided to go acquire another fish to add to their collection. They brought it home and after having gone through the new fish acclamation process, added it directly to their pond. Within the first week several fish had died and several others were looking pretty bad. Turns out a disease was running wild in the pond and it all originated from the newly acquired fish. This scenario happens often, more especially with beginning hobbyists. This problem can be prevented and one of the best ways is by the use of a quarantine system.
H
Page 18 Mid-Atlantic Koi
One of the main purposes of the quarantine tank is to hold newly purchased or otherwise acquired fish in isolation for a period of 2 to 4 weeks. Keeping a fish separated from any future pond mates allows for easy disease detection and other observation. Many times an infected fish will not show any signs of the disease for 10 to 14 days. By keeping a fish in a quarantine tank you allow for the disease to proceed through its cycle and finally show itself. If during the quarantine period, the fish should show signs of parasites or other disease, you can medicate it with absolutely no risk of impacting the fish in your pond. It is also very cost effective to medically treat a small quarantine set-up rather than a much larger pond. September 2014
The size of your quarantine tank will be based upon the size of fish you are going to acquire. For the average sized tosai, say up to 4 or 5 inches, a 10-20 gallon aquarium will serve the purpose well. Otherwise, for a larger Koi, a kiddie pool might be more appropriate. The quarantine tank does not have to have the best and the fanciest equipment on it. Keep it simple! The standard equipment for the quarantine aquarium is the aquarium with a cover of some type, a heater, a low tech filter without carbon, and a light. This is all you need. It is basically a bare aquarium - no gravel, no plants, no nothing - other than what I previously mentioned. Keep in mind the quarantine tank is established to aid in the cure of any fish which might be infected with some type of disease. It is not one which is being entered into the world's greatest looking aquarium contest.
In Conclusion If you have the space available for a quarantine tank, it would be a wise decision on your part to have one and put all future fish acquisitions through the quarantine process. Of course on the other hand, if you reject the idea of a quarantine tank and a disease completely terminates the life of all your prize fish, you have the dubious distinction of being able to go out and spend lots of money to purchase all brand new fish! The choice is yours. ď ś
Most any type of filter is adequate provided carbon or charcoal is not used. Remember, carbon adsorbs chemicals in the water, i.e. medication. If you end up medically treating the quarantine aquarium, the carbon will defeat your attempts. Power filters, corner box filters, even canister filters can be used. Just remember - no carbon. Because several of the aforementioned types of filters are expensive and not really being used to their full potential, many hobbyists turn to sponge filters for quarantine tank use. The sponges are inexpensive and will provide good bacterial filtration. The sponge filter can be operated with an air pump or with a power head attached to it. If medical treatment of your fish is necessary, you should allow for another 2 to 3 week period of quarantine after your last treatment. This will assure that a subsequent disease cycle is not in progress. Once this period has been completed, you can begin the acclamation process of moving your fish to your pond.
September 2014
Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 19
Stop Koi Myths G. Todd Williams, Washington
Myths and Half-truths
Stop Feeding Koi After Five Minutes
They are everywhere. Only humans can take a small nugget of truth and twist it into something entirely different. And we all like rules-ofthumbs. They help us simplify a world with lots of information. But these can get out of hand. I find this to be very true with Koi ponds. I've compiled a list of often stated "facts."
Say what? This reminds me of people who are concerned about burning their plants from watering them. I've seen people not water their yard for days when it's hot as thinking water would do more harm than good. Think of it like a baby. They eat slow; some slower than others. I must admit I can't back this one up with any science except this just does not make intuitive sense. On one website it says, "whatever food is uneaten after five minutes will likely not get eaten." That is true! On another website it says "Don't feed them for more than five minutes." Mmmm. Did a fact get twisted into a myth? If you have time, it's quite OK to let your Koi nibble over time. Like a baby, you can tell when they get satisfied. Conclusion: Myth.
Ponds can take a max of 1˝ of Koi per 100 gallons Not only is a rule for this misleading but using inches over weight is ridiculous. How can four of my 6˝ inch fish possibly equal a 24˝? The latter's weight is 500% more! But it gets worse, even if we used pounds, there are simply too many other factors to have a rule-of-thumb on this topic. We've all seen ponds twice as big as your own that can only handle half the fish. Things like pond water turn-over, proper balance, filtration, number of plants and type of plants all matter. Bottom line: I say just don't use any rule of thumb on this topic. Conclusion: Myth.
How Fast Do Koi Grow? Once again I think it's misleading to even give a number. It seems that most Koi experts presume you live in the warmer half of the U.S. But why? I live only a few miles from the Canadian border. My pond water is only above 70°F for maybe 10-12 weeks a year. That is when Koi eat more and grow more. I've been surprised pond people don't simply give answers to this legit question using regions i.e. plant zones. Conclusion: Half Truth only if you qualify the answer by zone. But even then there are variables for growth.
Page 20 Mid-Atlantic Koi
Don't Ever, Ever, Ever Put Your Hose Directly in the Pond The chlorine could kill the fish. It's best to have the water spray in the air and "release" the chlorine gasses. I am certainly no chemist. But this never totally added up to me (and I have a pool so the whole chlorine thing is not new to me). In my town the water report says we have 6 chlorine parts-per-million immediately after water processed. People often get confused by large numbers. How long would it take you to count to a million using one second per number? Over 11 days! Six seconds of chlorine over 11 days isn't hurting anything. But, for the sake of discussion let's say 6 ppm is harmful. It never made sense to me that letting the water "hit air" for literally one second would make the water safer. Guess what? It doesn't. To verify I called my local water August 2014
treatment plant. This guy's job is to process and test city water. I told him the rule of thumb. His response makes perfectly logical sense. He said "Chlorine does dissipate with time. However, tossing a cup of water in the air will not make the PPM-count lower by time it comes down." If filling up a pond from scratch, it would be 100 times more important to wait a day or two before adding fish than to have the hose not be in direct contact with the water. Meaning, aquarium people are correct to let water sit out for a day if they are doing a complete water change. If you are topping off your pond, go ahead and better be safe than sorry. Leave the hose out. But your concern would be much better served by checking chemicals regularly. And to add an interesting twist. My pool repair guy always reminds me to not put the hose directly in the pool. And in a pool we want chlorine. Why? Because you can easily forget and leave the hose running in the pool overnight causing many problems. But when you leave the hose out and
August 2014
have it splash in, you have a much better chance of hearing or seeing the water, thus avoiding a problem. Conclusion: True on hose rule, but a myth on the reason why.
Presuming Koi Food Left in Pond is Same as Fish Waste Let's just say that is silly. What goes in a cow is certainly not what comes out. Think of it another way; Koi food does not give plants nutrients. Fish waste does. Conclusion: Myth. So enjoy your pond. And next time someone states a fact, it's OK to "ponder" if it's really true. ď ś
Todd is a hobbyist with pond-grade Koi. He (barely) got C's in science. But he does think about a lot of things while enjoying his pond. He was considering a Twitter campaign of #StopKoiMythsNow. But his family threatened to kidnap his Koi if he did.
Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 21
Summer Pond Tips (for Warmer Climates) Part 3 by Ray Jordan, Texas
Pond and Filter Maintenance Because of higher temperatures fish waste and wind blown trash decompose faster in the summer. To compensate you will need to increase the amount and frequency of water changes and filter cleaning. Do not forget to use adequate dechlor. Chlorine is likely still the #1 reason for Koi deaths. I recommend you avoid auto fill devices if you use chlorinated water. Sooner or later these devices fail and dead fish are the result. A sign of a healthy Koi pond is a thriving growth of short filamentous algae on pond surfaces. This Page 22 Mid-Atlantic Koi
beneficial type of algae helps balance the pond by utilizing pond nutrients and removing them before planktonic algae starts to increase in population and create green water.
Dissolved Organic compounds Are often shortened to DOCS. DOCS are the result of too much pollution in your pond from over stocking, over feeding, under filtering, and under maintaining the filters and water changes. No water testing needed here as DOCS are easily detected when a foamy scum is observed on your pond’s surface or in the skimmer. September 2014
At water temperatures over 85°F I would reduce feeding to a very small amount every other day or every 3rd day. At water temperatures approaching 90°F I would stop feeding or feed very lightly only once a week. At these high temperatures very little nutrition can be obtained by your Koi from the food passing through their systems anyway. As the water starts to cool down healthy Koi will make up for any growth they might have missed during the hottest part of the summer. Higher levels of decaying organic compounds creates population explosions of disease causing bacteria and undesirable algae. High levels of DOCS create a hostile environment for beneficial bacteria and algae species by consuming significant amounts of dissolved oxygen which creates additional stress on your Koi.
Hot summers are the price we pay in the south for our snow free winters. I hope that this article has given you a few ideas to help your Koi have a healthier and less stressful summer. Making several small improvements in your pond dynamics this summer can add up to healthier less stressed Koi.
Remember how earlier I said many of these issues are interrelated? DOCS indicate a ticking time bomb for your Koi’s future health. The solution to high DOCS is a combination of increasing aeration, increasing filtration, increasing water changes, reducing fish load, and reducing feeding.
This concludes our three part series on Summer Pond Tips.
Feeding Most people feed their Koi way too much. I do and I bet that you do also. If your Koi are shaped more like footballs than spindles you need to reduce the amount of food you feed. In the summer it is better to feed early in the morning when the water temperature is lower. Remember optimum water temperature for Koi and Goldfish is between 68 and 74°F. When your water temperature rises above 80°F over feeding causes additional problems including increased water pollution, oxygen depletion, and algae growth.
August 2014
Reading this on issuu.com? Be sure to join our club. You do not have to live in the Mid-Atlantic area; we have members across the country. We hope you will join today. A membership form can be found on page 35. Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 23
Floating Salad Bar by Lisa Burns, Backyard Getaway
did you know that there are over two dozen different aquatic plants that are edible including the Lotus! Following is just a few of both some common and exotic aquatics that will not only add beauty to your water garden but can be useful as well. Please remember if you are going to eat plants from your pond that you do not add algaecides or other chemicals to the pond water. Yuck! We'll start with the Lotus (Nelumbo sp).This plant is almost entirely edible from the seeds to the tubers. The Tubers are the "root" of the plant and are similar to sweet potatoes. The seeds have a nutty flavor to them and can be eaten peeled or whole. In Japan there is a traditional Lotus ceremony where wine is drunk from the hollow stem of a lotus flower.
Taro
A couple of common or more well know aquatic plants are Taro (Colocasia spp.) and Water Chestnut (Eleoricharis spp.). Go to any health
ave you ever thought about growing your own veggie and herb garden but decided against it because you thought it would be too much work or you wouldn't have time to care for it? Aquatic gardening is just the answer. Aquatic plants are some of the easiest plants to grow and just think you never have to water them.
H
A pond or water garden can be more than just a habitat for wildlife, Koi and beautiful Water Lilies; it can be a floating salad bar too. I'm sure you are familiar with Water lilies and Lotus but Page 24 Mid-Atlantic Koi
Aquatic Mint August 2014
leaves of this small plant are beautiful changing from green to pink and add a peppery taste to a salad. Lemon Bacopa (Bacopa caroliniana) is used as a seasoning and you guessed it, it has a lemony taste to it. A Cattail (Typha latifolia) is probably not a plant you would think about eating, but believe it or not all of it is edible. The pollen, shoots, hearts,
Water Celery and Snowball
Cattail and Papyrus
Cardinal and Mint
food store and you will find Taro chips. Of course if you go to a Chinese restaurant they will have water chestnut in many of their dishes. How about Wasabi, yes it's an aquatic. Water Cress (Nasturtium officinale) and Bog Cranberry (Oxycoccus) also aquatics, and can be found in your grocery store. A few of my favorites bog plants are Aquatic mint, Water Celery and Lemon Bacopa. Aquatic mint is very similar to the mint you grow in your herb garden but with a different root system. The leaves can be added to cake, ice cream and of course mint juleps. Boy does it smell good! Water Celery (Oenanthe javanica) is a bit different. The August 2014
young spike heads and seeds can all be cooked and eaten. How about Duckweed (Lemna minor)? The small floating plant you see covering the surface of many natural lakes and ponds, it is a perfect garnish on a salad. Some aquatics are even used for medicinal purposes like the Marsh mallow (Althaea officinalis). It is used as a cough suppressant, immune system booster and as a wound healant. Pennywort (Hydrocotyle spp.) is used for arthritis relief. I could go on and on but I'm starting to get hungry. I think I'll go out and have a snack, maybe a couple of Odorata Water Lily flowers and some mint tea, yummy! ď ś Lisa Burns, Backyard Getaway, is located in Florida. Their website is backyardgetaway.net. Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 25
Different Styles of Air Pumps by Linda Montgomery, KHA, Oregon
reprinted from NKGC 4/2014 Newsletter he question this month is from Don Winn and he is asking about air pumps. This is not an area I am familiar with, so I had to do lots of research. Of course, like many Koi hobbyists I have always had an air pump for my pond and quarantine tank, but I have never really done any comparisons on the differences between them. Both of my current air pumps have been on my pond for many years (at least 6) and I hate to admit it, but with absolutely no maintenance on my part. So obviously a low maintenance air pump would be very high up on my list of priorities for a good air pump. Here is Don’s question:
T
Bubbles Question: An ad in KOI USA for a Matala rotary vane pump (air pump) got me thinking how little I know about air pumps. I also looked at a 2009 copy I had of an Aquatic Eco-Systems catalog which also talked about linear, diaphragm, and piston air pumps which had varying airflows and pressures. How do you know how much airflow you need at the bottom of your pond? Some pumps listed the wattage used but most didn't. Warranties were from 1-3 years but how long should you expect them to last? Also, are the linear pumps the quietest? Any help you can give would be appreciated! Thanks, Don Winn. Answer: Do you really need an air pump? Absolutely! The air pump is one of the most important parts of your pond and filtration equipment that provides oxygen to both the pond and the filtration units themselves. You may be able to get away without having an air Page 26 Mid-Atlantic Koi
pump for several years, but as the fish grow and you add more fish your pond will eventually start having problems. The fish will start having health issues or start dying. They may not have any visible signs or marks on them, which can, very likely, be due to low oxygen levels, which are far below the requirements for your fish and pond. I have often heard pond owners comment that they don’t feel that they need added aeration because they have a waterfall or have oxygenating plants. It is true that the waterfall and plants do generate a certain amount of oxygen in the pond. However, the plants will generate oxygen in the daytime but during the evenings they will take oxygen out of the water, which may leave very little for your Koi when they need it the most. Another important consideration is that one of the main reasons to add an air pump is to break the surface tension of the water, which plants cannot obviously do. A Koi pond will be a healthy environment for your fish if you keep in mind the three secret ingredients to a healthy pond; water, fish and oxygen. Just as we need oxygen to survive, so do our Koi, and they need beneficial bacteria that keep the water healthy for them. An aerator supplies air to the water so that the water does not stagnate and the fish will have oxygen. Considering that the air we breathe has 22% oxygen, it is pretty easy to understand that adding air to the pond water will be very beneficial to the fish and the biological microorganisms in your filter. Where is the best place to add air or oxygen in the pond system? It is generally agreed by most pond experts that the best place to add air is into the biofilter or as close as possible to where the August 2014
bacteria are. I also believe in adding air in the winter. I keep air stones in the biofilter and the pond throughout the year. Types of Air Pumps: This was a bit overwhelming for me trying to filter through all the different of types of air pumps on the internet, so I finally called Ryan at Pentair Aquatic Ecosystems. He was able to simplify the different types of air pumps for me. There are basically 4 different types of air pumps that we would consider using in our Koi ponds. • Rotary Vane- These are usually used for deeper larger systems such as lakes or very large ponds. These are generally very noisy and expensive ($500-$1000). These pumps require less maintenance but over time will still require replacing parts. Rotary vane pumps do generate heat which warms the output air, which is nice in the winter, but not so great in the heat of the summer. • Diaphragm air pumps- These pumps are generally quiet and have a lower initial cost of $100-400). There is some maintenance involved in replacing the diaphragm every few years, which has a cost of $50 or so. However, I have had two diaphragm pumps on my pond and quarantine tank for at least 6 years and have not had to replace the diaphragms yet. • Linear Piston- These air pumps are very quiet and generally energy efficient. Their initial cost is reasonable ($ 200-$700). They are considered to need less maintenance than the diaphragm air pumps. The piston mechanism is easily re-buildable when the time comes. • Rocking Piston- These pumps are noisy and cost about the same as the piston driven air pumps.
August 2014
Air Tube Diffuser
When evaluating what type of air pump, it is best to compare the performance curve just like you do when comparing water pumps. The pumps are rated LPM (liters per minute) or CFM (cubic feet per minute). So, when comparing the pumps be sure to note if they are rated at 0’ of water depth or 2’, 4’, or 6’ depth, etc. The max operational depth is very important because if you go deeper than the suggested depth you may lose air or damage the diaphragm, and the life of the pump may be shortened. Also, take into consideration the overall cost of ownership. This includes maintenance on the pump and the electrical consumption; also consider the reliability and reputation of the pump. I found this chart on the Laguna Ponds web site, which is a great guide to go by. Just remember that it is a guideline and that it would vary with Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 27
stocking levels. Also you need to factor in friction loss in the system.
Silica Air Stone
See Chart Diffusers and Air Lines: ~ Membrane disc diffuser-These air disc diffusers and weighted bases are very easy to install and the Matala air bases are made with EPDM rubber. This type of diffuser has the lowest backpressure and exerts less than 6 inches of back pressure on the system. These are low maintenance. They range in price from $77.00 for a single to $138 for a double diffuser. Air tube diffuser - These are designed for a drop in system. This one made by Matala has a rubber membrane and creates less back pressure than the standard type of air tube or ceramic air stone. It is low maintenance. Cost is $42 for the 12˝ to $58 for the 24˝. Ceramic and silica air stones - These types of air stones are initially cheaper (they range from $2-$4) but they will require maintenance with regular cleaning. They also create more back pressure on the air pump. Air Lines/tubing - Silicone tubing still seems to be a good tubing. Usually 3/8˝ is good for most applications. There is also a black weighted tubing which is kink proof and puncture resistant. It is more expensive but seems to be worth the extra cost.
Note on installing an air pump: You should NEVER install an air pump BELOW water level! If at any time your power goes out to the air pump or is interrupted, water will back siphon down the delivery tube and flood the pump workings. This will make the pump inoperative not to mention the danger of water and electricity coming in contact! Air pumps that people on the Koi boards seem to think very highly of are: Number one appears to be Medo 45LPM. This is a piston pump that is quiet and moves a lot of air. The cost is a bit more, but it seems to be worth it. The life expectancy of the pump is 6 years. Other pumps that were highly recommended were the Hakko 40 or 60LPM. This article is certainly not everything you need to know about air pumps, just a very basic foundation of what is good to know about them. I am not knowledgeable on this subject and so I did the best I could researching this and hopefully I answered most of Don’s questions. Thanks so much Don for sending in this month’s question.
Pond Volume in Gallons
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
8000
9000
10,000
Liters of air/minrequired to maintain Dissolved Oxygen at Koi Safe Levels
40
80
120
160
200
240
280
320
360
400
Page 28 Mid-Atlantic Koi
August 2014
August 2014
Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 29
On the Road to a Koi Event September 5-7 20th Annual ZNA Potomac Koi Show Held at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, Vienna VA. http://www.znapotomac.org
September 6-7 - WK&WGS 23rd Annual Koi & Water Garden Show
October 24-26 15th Annual Golden Empire Koi Show The Bakersfield Koi and Water Garden Society is holding its Koi Show in conjunction with the Fall Harvest Home and Garden Show at the Kern County Fairgrounds http://www.bkwgs.com and www.ggshows.com Have an upcoming Koi event, please send the information to makcmag@makc.com. We will be glad to include it in future articles.
September 12-14 Idaho Water Garden & Koi Society 21st Annual Koi Show
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.
Boise, ID - Contact Sot Chimonas 208-286-0288 sotchimonas@msn.com • www.iwgks.org
See you soon at a Koi event.
Bothell, WA Contact Nancy Moore at showchair@washingtonkoi.org www.washingtonkoi.org
September 19-21 Carolina Classic Koi Show East Coast Koi Imports, New Hill, NC http://carolinaclassickoishow.com
Sunshine Column
September 19-21 Dallas Koi Kichi Group's 12th Annual Koi Show www.dallaskoikichi.org/show-site/
September 20-21 Northwest Koi & Goldfish Club 34th Annual Koi & Goldfish Show Uwajimaya—in conjunction with the Festival of Japan, Beaverton, OR Contact Daren Beck 503-507-8510 or beckoi65@gmail.com www.nwkg.org
September 27-28 Central California Koi Society Held at the Fig Garden Village, Fresno, CA www.cencalkoi.com or cencalkoi@gmail.com
October 4-5 7th Annual Regional South Carolina Koi & Goldfish Show South Carolina Koi & Water Garden Society’s Simpsonville, SC • http://sckwgs.org Page 30 Mid-Atlantic Koi
MAKC President Joann Mead’s daughter, Rachel, was recently released from the hospital after a short stay. Carolyn Weise, MAK Editor, is continuing to heal; although slowly. Cindy Graham, MAK Production, is moving to the East Coast. She may even attend an MAKC meeting in the near future. Send submissions for our Sunshine Column to Carolyn Weise, Editor makcmag@makc.com September 2014
Treasurer’s Report Submitted by Anthony Vitale, New York Balance as of June 30, 2014 Income: Memberships Total Income Expenses: Printing/Publication Total Expenses Balance as of June 30, 2014
Long Island Chapter Meeting $13,987.84
Sunday, September TBD The Chapter has openings for future Koi meetings. Please contact me.
637.54 $637.54
Please call Bruce at cell 516-477-1823 or email kuba1953@aol.com 800.00 $800.00 $13,825.38
Reserve Account/Prepaid Memberships Savings Bank Account 6,424.21 Balance $6,424.21 Club Total Balance As if July 31, 2014
M A KC Eve nt
$20,249.59
Saugerties Chapter Meetings Sunday, September 21 3:00 pm Contact Herb Ehrich for further information about upcoming meetings koiking15@yahoo.com This year’s meetings
MAKC Health Hotline Volunteers Tom Burton Jan & Bill Fogle Terri Janas Jeff Nicholson
Middletown, NJ Wayne, PA Ashburn, VA Odenton, MD
732-671-7045 610-687-3105 703-729-2988 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. September 2014
October 19 December 14
November 16
Meeting are held at 3 pm - 5 p.m. All places of meeting will be determined Contact Herb for further information koiking15@yahoo.com
Send your meeting and event information to Carolyn Weise makcmag@makc.com Deadline September 5th for the October 2014 issue.
Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 31
F..A..S..T.. Ads – September Disclaimer: MAKC and its officers assume no responsibility for claims of advertisers or the quality/serviceability of goods offered.
QUALITY SHOW KOI. Show quality Koi for sale. Need to thin out my pond contact philiegray@mac.com.
MAKC Member Needs Your Help
WANTED
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.
KOI. Foster Home. Large natural pond. Happy to accept your overgrown or unwanted “children.” Call Rich Menashe in Metuchen, NJ, 732-767-0720.
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 Joann 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).
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
Joann Mead • 845-389-5712 jo_mead@earthlink.net Page 32 Mid-Atlantic Koi
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 September 2014
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 Joann Mead at jo_mead@earthlink.net or call 845-389-5712.
Mid-Atlantic Koi Ad Index Aquaculture Bead Filter Specialists . . . . . . 7, 29 Aquatic Nutrition – Blackwater Gold–N . . . . . . 33 Hikari . . . . . . . . . 7, Back Cover
Matala USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Mazuri . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Microbe-Lift . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Nisei Koi Farm . . . . . . . . . 7, 29 Pentair Aquatic
Kloubec Koi Farm . . . . . . . . 19
Eco-Systems, Inc. . . . . . . . 13
Kodama Koi Farm . . . . . . 7, 21
Quality Koi Company . . . 7, 29
Long Island Fish Hospital . . 19
www.makc.com Have You Renewed Your Membership Renew Your MAKC Membership by printing out page 35 and mailing it in. Do it today, it only takes a couple of minutes. September 2014
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 Joann Mead at 845-389-5712 (leave message) or e-mail: jo_mead@earthlink.net 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 33
Pictures to Share – Long Island Pond Tour
Other sights and sounds from the Pond Tour. Taken by Susan Levine, New York. Have a picture to share? Send your photos to the Editor, Carolyn Weise at makcmag@makc.com. ď ś Page 34 Mid-Atlantic Koi
September 2014
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: pvsherow@gmail.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 ___________ September 2014
Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 35