Over Wintering.

[carcha koi]

I know we are just starting our season but I want opinions on an idea.
I don't have room or the money to change my garage into a koi room( Not for 2-3 years) So what I was thinking is using my small 6 ft X 3ft deep round pond. I could insulate the hell out of it, put a few aquarium heaters in and put some kind of dome over it so I could check on my fish. I should be able to keep the temp in the 40-50F range. I did have fish in it, My showa did have cold water stress but I didn't have too much insulation over it, It was covered(no Dome and one small heater.) The temp was not too bad
I would be able to use 3 small filters. There would be a large fish load.
I cannot put a dome over my large pond( size and shape.)
I just don't want to go through another winter not knowing. I had my koi in 3 large fish boxes in the garage for 2 years.( I don't have the boxes anymore) Temp was in the 40's but they were too active, stress and disease did too much damage. I think there was just too much activety and the koi didn't go into that winter mode.
What are your thoughts? Any suggestions?

[carcha koi]

No takers?

[marla]

Jerry and I are trying to think up some wintering options also, will be nice to hear all the views.

[Terri]

If you are to use the 6ft X 3ft deep round pond with a dome, filters, heaters, etc you will also have to consider water changes, how to do them through the winter months - and more often that Peg does. That's quite the fish load for such a small space and if things go south, for whatever reason, the effects would happen very quickly.

I've seen your main pond,.. constructing a cover would not be expensive or difficult to erect... imho and/or experience.

Talk to that lovely wife of yours again about the basement for over-wintering... we have a 10ft dia pool that we could loan you over winter.

[Jackie Ramo]

If you wanted to put a couple of fish in the small space fine, all the fish, no. More work and time and never mind just no.

[Koidaddy]

Ditto on Terri's advice!

[clm]

I would bring some of them in, as suggested in the basement. If going to be lightly filtered, then lightly stocked. The rest outside should do better with a lighter fish load too.

clm

[philly]

Only bring in the ones that are affected maybe the MRS would let you keep them in the basement if you're really nice, Bribe her you will probably get away with it. :grin:

[Marg]

I know we are just starting our season but I want opinions on an idea.
I don't have room or the money to change my garage into a koi room( Not for 2-3 years) So what I was thinking is using my small 6 ft X 3ft deep round pond. I could insulate the hell out of it, put a few aquarium heaters in and put some kind of dome over it so I could check on my fish. I should be able to keep the temp in the 40-50F range. I did have fish in it, My showa did have cold water stress but I didn't have too much insulation over it, It was covered(no Dome and one small heater.) The temp was not too bad
I would be able to use 3 small filters. There would be a large fish load.
I cannot put a dome over my large pond( size and shape.)
I just don't want to go through another winter not knowing. I had my koi in 3 large fish boxes in the garage for 2 years.( I don't have the boxes anymore) Temp was in the 40's but they were too active, stress and disease did too much damage. I think there was just too much activety and the koi didn't go into that winter mode. What are your thoughts? Any suggestions?

Maybe you should put up a temporary garage like Peg. It works for her.
I know how you feel. I would like to be able to bring some in too.
Marg

[carcha koi]

Thanks for your help and ideas. The only way I am going to be able to have my Koi inside is if I move in with KD:lol: ( I don't think he would have me anyway) There is no way my wife will let me bring them in.(Smell, leaks, mold and room)
I do like the idea of covering my pond. I don't see how I can do it as the pond shape and size is so much larger than it was.Terri will have to show me when I go see her on Tuesday while I am getting her best fish:phfft:.
I do want to set up half of my garage into a fish room but it can't happen for atleast 2 years.(Money, space, time and MONEY)
Phil as for bribes I don't see that your wife has let you put your fish in the garage not to mention the house( Sorry Pal)

[Koidaddy]

Thanks for your help and ideas. The only way I am going to be able to have my Koi inside is if I move in with KD:lol: ( I don't think he would have me anyway) There is no way my wife will let me bring them in.(Smell, leaks, mold and room)
I do like the idea of covering my pond. I don't see how I can do it as the pond shape and size is so much larger than it was.Terri will have to show me when I go see her on Tuesday while I am getting her best fish:phfft:.
I do want to set up half of my garage into a fish room but it can't happen for atleast 2 years.(Money, space, time and MONEY)
Phil as for bribes I don't see that your wife has let you put your fish in the garage not to mention the house( Sorry Pal)

- I'm overcrowded as it is... unless you do chores and donut runs?:HAHA:

- You don't need to go in person to get Terri's best fish!! :phfft:

- Phil is so whipped, one of these days he's going to fall apart in slices! :frisbee:

KD
:grin:

[carcha koi]

:lol::HAHA::lol:

[philly]

Thanks for your help and ideas. The only way I am going to be able to have my Koi inside is if I move in with KD:lol: ( I don't think he would have me anyway) There is no way my wife will let me bring them in.(Smell, leaks, mold and room)
I do like the idea of covering my pond. I don't see how I can do it as the pond shape and size is so much larger than it was.Terri will have to show me when I go see her on Tuesday while I am getting her best fish:phfft:.
I do want to set up half of my garage into a fish room but it can't happen for atleast 2 years.(Money, space, time and MONEY)
Phil as for bribes I don't see that your wife has let you put your fish in the garage not to mention the house( Sorry Pal)

Well I did get away with having them in the basement for two years till the "HAMMER" came down, she couldn't take the smell anymore. :HAHA: :HAHA:

[philly]

" Phil is so whipped, one of these days he's going to fall apart in slices!"

That's what you think KD, I probably get away with a lot more than you do. :lol:

[marla]

I'm thinking maybe we may think of a way to cover ours, but it is also an odd shape and large. I would love to do as Peg did but wouldn't work on ours, wonder if a couple of those cattle tank heaters would keep mine at a reasonable temp.

[carcha koi]

1500 watts each or better. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$. Got to be careful as they can melt your liner.

[philly]

Yes those heaters do draw a lot of Hydro, do they have a thermostat built in to control the temperature and what are the safety measures they have if it falls and touches the liner ?

[luke frisbee]

Ok
Once again...
What is "over-Wintering"?
is it where you keep them in Winter too long?

[luke frisbee]

Luke You are HIIILLLAAARRRIIIOOUUSSS:HAHA:

[Koidaddy]

Yes those heaters do draw a lot of Hydro, do they have a thermostat built in to control the temperature and what are the safety measures they have if it falls and touches the liner ?

The heaters have a built in cage that prevents them from touching the liner... but your fish can touch it! They are JUNK!!. I went through two of them in two seasons - Both conked out after very little use (company warned me that they would). If you're going to heat, best route to take is a gas heater. :yup:

Chris, don't worry about the fuel expense, just plug in to Phil's #$$ and away you go!:HAHA:

[Jackie Ramo]

Luke You are HIIILLLAAARRRIIIOOUUSSS:HAHA:

No, my dear, you are only mildly amusing since you don't share your winter digs with us!!!:phfft:

[philly]

The heaters have a built in cage that prevents them from touching the liner... but your fish can touch it! They are JUNK!!. I went through two of them in two seasons - Both conked out after very little use (company warned me that they would). If you're going to heat, best route to take is a gas heater. :yup:

Chris, don't worry about the fuel expense, just plug in to Phil's #$$ and away you go!:HAHA:

Thanks KD you're such a pal, wait till I hit you for a loan.. :HAHA: :HAHA:

[Koidaddy]

Thanks KD you're such a pal, wait till I hit you for a loan.. :HAHA: :HAHA:

I'm broke, so you'll have to look somewhere else! :phfft:

[philly]

I'm broke, so you'll have to look somewhere else! :phfft:

You can't be broke! If you were why are you getting all those nice koi they cost a lot of $$$$ to keep so where is the money coming from, do you have a rich mistress ? :HAHA: :HAHA: