What is your weather like ... today

[HARO]

Thanks, j.w., but I really don't think that's too bad, considering our winter lasted SIX MONTHS!!! I generally find one or two in the spring. That's probably to be expected, out of fifty or so fish.
John

 

[j.w]

Yep not too bad @HARO but I still hate to even lose just one. I stick to goldies and a few shubbies tho cuz I'm too cheap to get koi and then lose them. Your winters are way more rugged than ours so losing a few is pretty much expected. Survival of the fittest deal again. Did you use the pond breathers that some others use here for the ice cover?

 

[sissy]

Sorry to hear haro but koi are fussy no matter what temps .We are getting much needed rain here for my grass seed

 

[HARO]

I've never seen those breathers around here, j.w., and only HEARD about them from this forum. I'd like to see one, and would probably try it! I DO keep a hole open in the ice all winter, using a stock-tank de-icer, but so far seven attempts at over-wintering koi have ended in failure!
John
Thanks, Sissy. (Just noticed your post).

 

[sissy]

gosh Haro and thought we had a love to hate relationship finally can share this after the test period .Not only works great on grass but also on potted plants.feeds and also keeps the moisture in the potted plants .Bird baths are done and drying

 

[addy1]

I lost a few goldfish, once the ice melted, mainly in the big pond, found them frozen in the ice in the walk out shallow end. The 1000 gallon tank did not lose one, both ponds had a breather, only, in them.

 

[HARO]

Gee Sissy.... was it something I said??
John

 

[HARO]

Addy;
I've probably read it somewhere, but can you refresh my memory... WHAT MAKES IT WORK?
John

 

[sissy]

You could never do anything wrong well except for that big rock you got .I was teasing .I thought i was invisible .Hard to believe HUH

 

[addy1]

Addy;
I've probably read it somewhere, but can you refresh my memory... WHAT MAKES IT WORK?
John

The breather thing? It is a small submersible pump that pumps water up a tube which has a float that holds it upright, goes around 8 inches or higher out of the water (to lazy to go measure) a small heater keeps the water going up the tube from freezing. When the water goes up the tube it hits air and falls back into the pond, in the tube, releasing gases etc. It uses 40 watts.

When it gets covered with snow it just opens up by itself, the little bit of warmth melts the snow around the tube

Sort of simplistic explanation, but that is how it works.

 

[JBtheExplorer]

60°F and sunny, no wind, its nearly perfect, although it looks like clouds are starting to move it.

 

[addy1]

Getting some great rain, not much, but we needed it. Makes those flowers bloom!

 

[sissy]

soaped up both vehicles and let the rain rinse it all off .

 

[tbendl]

Haha best car wash!

 

[MitchM]

Snowing here today....

We're not allowed to wash our vehicles around here - it drains into the waterways and pollutes rivers with the phosphorus from the soap. By-law says so. Automatic car washes are ok, and they have to recycle their water.

Haro, you need to get one of those breathers. I used a floating heater style and lost my koi plus some goldfish. They just don't expose enough water to the air during harsh winter conditions. I don't have koi any more, but all my other fish survive the winters now.