We have just moved and ofcourse, I brought my pond and all of my big and small babies with me. Probably had about 8-10 comet babies, Mayb more (along with 4 big one's) and who knows maybe 30-50 koi babies. And some bigger shubunkins and regular koi. All seem happy, but when should I cut back on food. Started alreday just a little (even though I do not feed them too much at a time from the beginning) and the temps here for the past 3 days have only been around 70 for the highest. I am sure it'll still warm up, just a cold spell. When should I quit feeding them, and when should I turn my pumps off-or do I? I haven't had a water pond thru the winter yet and was concerned on what preperations I need to make and the feeding. Once it does freeze, should I turn the pumps off? Should I remove them all together and maybe run it on warmer days or what?
Also, on my plants, I have a ? about water hyacinths? Could I buy a whiskey barrell or maybe even something a little bigger and bring them in with a grow light over them and put a small pump and a few fish in there? I have tons of grow lights and flourescent lights to use! And all of my water lily's. I believe all of them are the hardy one's. Should I just keep them dropped all of the way to the bottom and let them die back? And cross my fingers til spring?I have a smaller water pump that is like the mushroom shape and it has a small filter. Is something just good enough to keep the water circulating ok?
And once it does freeze (it usually isn't too bad here in Georgia, but should I go out there if it is froze solid on the top and maybe melt a whole with a blow dryer and let out some gases, and wouldn't that help with the coming to the surface for a breath of air? Just am concerned and would appreciate any advice!!!!
This time I have a preformed water fall and hand dug pond just like the other one, I just moved and adding the preformed waterfall, seems much faster and better, than the other one!
Please any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!
Thanksm, Traci S
Haven't been on and have some major pond ?'s
You can feed them until water temps fall to about 55 and you can leave your pump or should I post you should leave your pump going thru winter... You shouldn't have to worry too much about freezing!
Traci, you won't get any ice, if you do the most will be a light skin on the top and it won't be a solid piece. I have gotten a bit around the edges once or twice. Drop your hardy lilies to the bottom.
Tig, I already have them at the bottom. Will they just go dormant and hopefully come back to life in the spring?
yes, in May, bring them a little closer and when they have leaves that reach the surface, drop them back down.
You'll be surprised how well your water plants come back. You'll be separating them in the spring and trying to find new homes for the new plants.
Thanks so much!! Maybe, if you guys remingd me I'll send ya some. Wish some of you could use water hyacinths!!!
I have some that have babies almost everyday!! I have tons of em!! Anyone in Texas or California interested-Let me know here. Maybe we can trade something! My email is screwed!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks, Traci