Time to wake up the boys

[Packmann]

Hello
I'm new to this message board but I see people from koivet. Can someone direct me to some information on how to bring koi out of the long winter? My pond is covered with a solar cover and the water is cycling from 54-60f lately. I have a airpump but the filter is not connected yet. Any advice would be helpful since this is my first winter over. 2 koi about 13" in a 600gal pond.

Thanks, michael

[Terri]

Hello Michael :), welcome to KR.

You can begin the process of starting up your filter system now if the pond temps are stable in that 55-60F range. Give the mechanical portion of your filter a good clean while doing a partial water change out as well as remove any debris that may have accumilated in the pond(leaf litter, etc.). Once your system is up and running inspect the water lines for possible leaks and if you have a waterfall check to see if there is any water run-off due to possible shifting through winter. If the night time air temperature is still very cool (near freezing mark) in your neighbourhood you could keep the solar cover on over night to maintain some heat and remove it during the daytime.... with such a small body of water temp shifts will happen rather quickly which will stress your two koi... so along with this the waterfall may need to be turned off as well at night, this is where you could have a water return to the pond just a few inches under the water's surface.

Hope that helps somewhat for now...

[Jackie Ramo]

Welcome

Nothing to add to Terri's good advice. Got any pictures of the pond?

[marla]

Packmann, welcome to the board!