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Mid~Atlantic Koi

The Magazine of the Mid-Atlantic Koi Club August 2013


Mid~Atlantic Koi
The Membership Magazine of the Mid-Atlantic Koi Club

Volume 27, Number 2 August 2013

—Upcoming Events
Beginner’s Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Long Island Chapter Meetings . . . . .32
2 MAKC Club Events . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 MAKC Corporate Members . . . . . . . . . . .7
BBQ and Multi-Club Auction Learning the Art of Sanke Appreciation 8
Taro Kodama, Kodama Koi Farm
MAKC Koi Show - Show is Cancelled
400 Koi Fish Stolen from VA. Pond . . .12
NBCWashington.com
—MAKC News
Summer Pond Tips
From the Editor’s Desk . . . . . .4 (for Warmer Climates) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
President’s Message . . . . . . . .6 Ray Jordan, Texas
MAKC Health The Importance of Oxygen
Hotline Volunteers . . . . . . . .32
in a Pond . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Treasurer’s Report . . . . . . . . .33
Linda Montgomery , KHA, Oregon
F..A..S..T Ads . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
Ad Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 To Feed, or Not to Feed.
That is the Question . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Meyer Jordan. Ripples, Aquatic Habitats

Mid-Atlantic Koi Deadlines Big Koi Caper – Part 4 -


for articles, meeting announcements and ads Pond Repair Nightmare . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
September Issue Deadline: August 1 Carolyn Weise, Florida
Available Online: September 1
On the Road to a Koi Event . . . . . . . . . . .30
October Issue Deadline: September 1
Available Online: October 1 Picture to Share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
MAKC Membership Application . . . . .37

Mid-Atlantic Koi Magazine


Koi Feeding Frenzy Editor, Carolyn Weise (239) 573-6650 x105 makcmag@makc.com
Advertising Editor, Philip Gray (516) 486-5163 philiegray@mac.com
Photo by Meeting/Events Editor, Joyce Spears (856) 832-4922 gjs63@comcast.net
Carolyn Weise FAST Ads Editor, Philip Gray (516) 486-5163 philiegray@mac.com
Billing and Collections, Floyd Broussard
(703) 491-4921 fbrou2801@verizon.net

Page 2 Mid-Atlantic Koi August 2013


MAKC Executive Committee

Philip Gray
President

(516) 486-5163

Cell (516) 967-4966


philiegray@mac.com Remember to
Renew Your
Vice-President

Bernie Szer (516) 241-4655 gasssman246@aol.com

Secretary

Dinah Bwint (610) 287-9178 sanke@verizon.net

Anthony Vitale
Treasurer

(516) 420-0740

Central Chapter Vice-President


nyssba96@aol.com
Membership
Looking for a Volunteer

Long Island Chapter Vice-President

Bruce Levine (516) 735-2644 bruce@li-koi.com

North Chapter Vice-President

Dan Bitcon (973) 699-2186 DanVideo@aol.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 Committe es
Membership
Barry Hixson (610) 262-5184 makcmembers@verizon.net
AKCA Representative
Philip Gray (516) 486-3807 philiegray@mac.com
MAKC Sales
Ruth & Gene Rice (304) 725-2333 sew4Koi@comcast.net
MAKC Notice Group Manager
Michael Snyder (301) 762-2059 makc@imsnyder.com
WebMaster
Wayne Orchard (828) 693-3851 waynesorchard@gmail.com
Japanese Cultural Coordinator
Floyd Broussard (703) 491-4921 fbrou2801@verizon.net

Exe c ut ive B o ard


Adv is or y Committe e

Joe Zuritsky (215) 575-4001 jzuritsky@parkwaycorp.com


Don’t Wait Do it Today.
Betty Roemer (828) 697-2692 roroemer@mchsi.com

Art Lembke (410) 867-0270 artsKoi1@aol.com

Mike Riordan (732) 747-6089 Koidog1@verizon.net Renewal form you can


Gene Rice

Eric Wilson
(304) 725-2333

(613) 421-7890
RiceGene@comcast.net

wilseric@rogers.com
print out is on page 37.
Ellie Cooper (610) 865-1163 mamakoi@verizon.net

Ja p a n es e Cul tur a l Adv is er


Misa Sitterly (703) 490-0770 sitterly@comcast.net

Mid-Atlantic Koi is the magazine of the Mid-Atlantic Koi Club.


MAKC Home Page: http://www.makc.com 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
Production: Cindy Graham, TC Publishing, Inc. is credited as the source.

August 2013 Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 3


From the Editor’s Desk
by Carolyn Weise
makcmag@makc.com

N
ever stop learning. In this issue we
have great information about
Sanke as a Koi variety, and one
that I never fully appreciated
before. Thanks for Taro Kodama
for teaching us his wisdom.

And Ray Jordan always has great info to share.


Although he is in Texas, summer is a hot time of
year and August was always the worst.

So, basically all our articles this month have to do


with surviving the summer heat and the issues
related to it. Some you know, some you may not
be aware of, but if you take the time, we have
experts doing the research for you.

One of my favorite new contributors is


Meyer Jordan. I want to thank Taro, Ray,
Linda Montgomery, and Meyer.

I hope you aren’t sick of seeing the work on my


pond because we have the next installment in
here. My pond is up and running and the fish are
doing very well today.

I hope you are enjoying your summer so far.


Let’s get those Pond Tours and Chapter
Meetings going.

Sincere thank you to Carolyn Broussard for


almost a decade of dedication as MAK Treasurer
and a big welcome to Anthony Vitale, our new
MAK Treasurer!

Together in Koi,

Carolyn

Page 4 Mid-Atlantic Koi August 2013


Beginner’s Corner
Ask a question and we will get you an answer.

This is a repeat but it is always a good reminder. For the adventurous ones:
Don’t forget; send in your questions for the DR.WAYNE’S KOI KUBE RECIPE
beginner’s corner.
8 oz. frozen chopped kale, or collard greens
¾ cup frozen peas
Question: 4 oz. smelt, white fish, or (I use shrimp)
Now that it is summer time my fish want to eat 1 oz. red pepper (plus one medium
all the time. How much do I feed them and how chopped carrot)
often?? 1 Tbsp. wheat germ (plus 1 tbsp.
brewer’s yeast)
Answer: ½ tsp. liquid fish vitamins (plus 2 caps
First the fish do want to eat all the time, that 400 IU vitamin E)
doesn’t mean they need food. When they see you 2 pills vitamin C crushed
they want to eat, that’s a conditioned response. 2 to 4 packets KNOX gelatin, dissolved
in hot water.
Stick to the feeding schedule.
Puree in food processor all but hot water and
Spring –Starts at 45° F. - wheat germ food once a gelatin. (may have to add water to puree solids
day what they will eat in 5 to 10 minutes. Then add vitamins and water with gelatin, mix by
hand, spread on nonstick cookie sheets and
Summer – Starts at about 60° F. Regular high freeze. After about an hour, take out and score
protein food once a day what they will eat in 5- with serrated knife into 4 in squares then finish
10 minutes. freezing. When done remove from cookie sheets
break apart and store in plastic bag. To feed fish
At 65-70° F. Feed twice a day what they will eat in take out one or two defrost and cut into small
5 to 10 minutes. cubes. Fish just love them.

You can add some of the following when getting


Over 70° F. You could go to three times a day
ready for a show: avocado, zucchini, romaine or
what they will eat in 5 to 10 minutes.
swiss chard. 
Over 80° F. Too Hot Do Not Feed look for ways Note: This column offers suggestions only; the
to cool the water. ultimate care of your pond and fish is up to you.

Fall – Do the schedule in reverse until 45° F.


Then don’t feed. Wanted – Your Questions
If you feed more than this you will be fouling the Please email your questions to
water and over taxing your filter system, by makcmag@makc.com.
making more ammonia. Don’t forget to do your
water changes and ammonia testing on a regular
schedule; this will help water quality stay high. We look forward to hearing from you!

August 2013 Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 5


President’s Message
by Philip Gray
Suggestions4MAKC@gmail.com

Hello All, Secondly, I would like to encourage all of our


members to become more involved. Please
I hope all club members are enjoying their discuss with your Chapter officers any interest
summer and getting the most out of this Koi you have in volunteering or any special skills
Season. In this letter I have a few announcements you can bring to the club. It is our united love
I must share. and respect for Koi that calls us to members of
this club.
Carolyn Broussard
Elected Officers
It is with mixed emotions
that I must announce that Finally I want to send a heart felt congratulations
Carolyn Broussard is to all of our new officers in this new slate.
stepping down as Treasurer Congratulations to all!
for the club.
President
Carolyn has been the Philip Gray
Treasurer for about a (516) 486-5163
decade. Her dedication philiegray@mac.com
and hard work to the club
have been an immeasurable asset and she will be Vice-President
sorely missed. On be half of all of our members Bernie Szer
I would like to express my gratitude for her
(516) 241-4655
commitment and devotion to the club and wish
gasssman246@aol.com
her the very best on all of her future endeavors.

Show Cancelled Secretary


Dinah Bwint
I also must announce that unfortunately due to a
(610) 287-9178
lack of volunteer assistance this year's September
koi show will be cancelled. I apologize to those
sanke@verizon.net
of you who were looking forward to attending
this event. Treasurer
Anthony Vitale
I would like to look at this as a moment to first, (516) 420-0740
express my gratitude to all members who give of nyssba96@aol.com 
their time and serve as volunteers. Your time
and efforts allow for the club to enjoy such
memorable events. "We are pleased to introduce the new
Treasurer, Anthony Vitale."

Page 6 Mid-Atlantic Koi August 2013


M A KC 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?

Reasonable one time fee for the


year – includes a
Business Card size ad in all issues
in this section and
East Coast – Patio Ponds, LTD on the MAKC website.
301-874-8440
West Coast – Laguna Koi Ponds Contact Barry Hixson
949-494-5107
at
www.MatalaUSA.com 610-262-5184 or
makcmembers@verizon.net

August 2013 Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 7


Language of Koi
Taisho Sanshoku –
Learning the Art of Sanke Appreciation
by Taro Kodama, Kodama Koi Farm

H
ave you ever heard of “Sanke Bim names. The most appropriate name is Taisho
bou”? No, it is not bimbo. It is Sanshoku. Some call this Koi “Taisho Sanke” or
“Bim bou.” In Japanese, it means just “Sanke.” It got shorter simply because the
“the poor.” “Sanke Bimbou” original name is a bit long. I, therefore, would
means Sanke breeders are always assume Sanke is probably the name you hear
poor. Why are they poor? It is because it is very the most.
difficult to breed nice Sanke and make money. Of
course, they are not necessarily poor, but that is Sanshoku means three colors, obviously because
how breeders in Niigata, Japan described the this variety is a Koi with three colors: red, white
challenges of Sanke breeding. You might and black. Sanke is a shorter version of the three
understand how difficult it is to come across a colors. Now, what is “Taisho”? In Japan, we have
nice Sanke even from your experience. Let’s two calendars. One is the Western calendar we
discuss this variety that is often difficult to breed. use here, and the other is the Japanese calendar.
In Japan, we have the emperor system. Each
What’s in a Name? emperor has his own era, which is named after
“Sanke,” “Taisho Sanke” or “Taisho Sanshoku”? him on the calendar. For example, the era of the
reign of the current emperor, Akihito, bears the
These are all names of this variety. You may name of Heisei. 2014 is Heisei 25. Taisho is the
wonder why this variety seems to have several name of the era when emperor Taisho reigned in

Page 8 Mid-Atlantic Koi August 2013


2.

1.

3.

Beautiful example of tsubo zumi.

This two-year-old female has a beautiful


Kohaku pattern. The sumi is gradually
coming out, with more to come. The sumi in
circle 1 shows you the quality of sumi she
has and the same quality sumi will definitely
come out over time in circle 2 and 3.

August 2013 Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 9


A massive Sanke: over 30 inches long.
The powerful body showcases the
beautiful harmony of hi,
shiroji and sumi.

Japan from 1912 to 1926. From this, you can tell appreciate an art of beautiful red expression with
Taisho Sanke is a tri-colored Koi created in the deep and bright red ink on pure white canvas.
era of Taisho.
2. Sumi
Kohaku is the foundation of Koi appreciation. Sumi is a term that originally came from calligra-
Sanke is basically a Kohaku with a sumi (black) phy. Sumi means black ink in calligraphy. So the
pattern. At first, it must be good as Kohaku. quality of the color needs to be as thick and deep
Then, we need to see if the sumi are located in as the sumi ink. Assuming the sumi is of excellent
the right positions to balance with the quality, position is critical. It is not too much
Kohaku base. exaggeration that the difficulty of sumi position
created the term, “Sanke Bimbo.” Unlike hi or
When you look at Sanke, check the following: shiroji, the area of sumi is very small – yet such a
1) Kohaku delicate positioning is required to keep the
2) Sumi balance with the other colors. On the other side
3) Breeders of the coin, this means it is very easy to ruin the
beauty if sumi is located in the wrong positions.
1. Kohaku
In the previous article, I discussed the impor- “Tsubo Zumi” is the term to express a sumi that
tance of quality and pattern. Just like that, we exists at the perfect spot. We use this term only
would like to see snow-white shiroji (white for this variety. Unless it is important, we do not
ground) and bright hi (red). We would like to usually create a special term.
see the beautiful hi design. It is as if we would

Page 10 Mid-Atlantic Koi August 2013


Unlike Kohaku, sumi is not usually
all up when they are babies. They
come and go before the color is
stabilized. So it is very important to
determine or estimate what kind of
quality sumi appears where.

3. Breeders
I have heard some dealers in the
U.S. tell their customers, “You do
not need to know breeders
to buy Koi. Good Koi are good
Koi.” I disagree.
I must say, “How can you buy Koi
without knowing the breeders?!”
Koi is a living jewel, not a piece of
jewelry that does not change its
form of beauty. Without knowing
the bloodline, it is very difficult to
predict if the Koi has a promising
future or not. I do my best to share
the breeder information with my
hobbyist customers and dealer
customers. I also encourage my
hobbyist customers to ALWAYS ask
about the breeders whenever they
buy Koi at any Koi store.

There are many famous Sanke


breeders. But you may want to
know at least the following:
Marudo Koi Farm, Yamamatsu Koi
Farm (aka Matsunosuke) and Oya Taro Kataoka (left) and Mr. Mamoru Kodama (right)
Koi Farm. I recommend you read at Oya Koi Farm.
“Koishi: Koi Breeders-Creators of
Living Jewels,” a book by Mamoru
Kodama, to study these bloodlines.
It is also good to know the blood-
lines that built the foundation of
modern Sanke development, such
as Torazo line, Jimbei line,
Matsunosuke line and
Sadazo line. 

August 2013 Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 11


400 Koi Fish Stolen from VA. Pond
The men scooped out the fish with large nets and placed them in coolers

NBCWashington.com, reprinted with permission The men visited the park on the weekends of
June 8 and 9, and June 15 and 16, between 1

T
wo men posing as maintenance
and 4 p.m. Police say the employees eventually
workers have stolen 400 Koi fish from
realized the men were not who they said
a pond in Herndon, VA, over the past
they were.
month, authorities say.
Reinhardt told News4's David Culver that the Koi
from the Herndon pond were likely worth about
The men visited a pond at a business park near
$200 each, based on photos -- which means the
2411 Dulles Corner Park at least four times in

Koi were solen from this industrial park pond

June, scooping out fish with large nets and


thieves could have gotten away with $80,000
placing them in coolers.
worth of fish.
When confronted by employees, the men
Koi can be priced anywhere from $7 to $50,000,
claimed to be checking on the health of the fish,
depending on their size and rarity.
saying they were removing unhealthy ones from
the pond.
"They have to know what they're doing,"
Reinhardt said. "Or they really don't have a clue
"There's a lot involved to move them properly so
what they're doing."
you don't hurt them, you don't damage them,"
said Chris Reinhardt of Vienna Aquarium and
Anyone with information on the case is asked
Pets. "I mean, you could easily kill them in
to contact the Fair Oaks Police District
this heat."
at 703-591-0966. 

Page 12 Mid-Atlantic Koi August 2013


August 2013 Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 13
Summer Pond Tips (for Warmer Climates)
by Ray Jordan, Texas

Advice on the best individual care of your Koi


depends on many factors including your local
climate, source water perimeters, pond and filter
system dynamics, stocking rate, and your
personal goals as a Koi hobbyist. All of these
factors are interconnected and making small but
consistent improvement in multiple perimeters
can have a significant impact on your ponds
water quality and Koi development.

It is critical to the health and development of


your Koi to maintain as clean an pond/filter
system as possible regardless of season: If you do
not have effective bottom drains, skimmers, and
a method to separate and remove solids from
Photo of Ray and Martha’s your water before it clogs your biological filters
9,000-gallon Koi pond please consider how best to retrofit these impor-
tant elements without delay. Yes, it is possible
Foreword (with a lot of daily effort) to remove debris and
sludge the old fashioned way. It is important to
The focus of this information is for warmer
understand that without a clean pond/filter
climates but it will benefit a broader audience as
system 24/7 you will likely continue to struggle to
well. Koi are best raised as a four-season animal,
keep your water quality at a high level and your
which is how their common carp ancestors
Koi healthy. Koi ponds/filter systems should be
evolved. As seasons progress important
DESIGNED and MAINTAINED to easily remove
hormonal and environmental signals prepare Koi
waste from your pond.
to develop to their genetic potential. Perpetual
summer or eternal winter temperatures have
Warmer Climates
their own individual unique disadvantages on
the growth and health of our Koi. South Texas summers can be brutal with peak
daily high air temperatures well above 95F and
Understanding seasonal variations in terms of up to low triple digits and morning lows in the
temperature, light, and feeding techniques and lower 80’s. There is a fair amount of information
working to moderate the inherent stressors can on how to care for Koi in conventional cooler
be an effective method to improve the health and climates, however, there is not as much written
beauty of your Koi. In warmer climates with about techniques for Koi care in warmer
intense summers efforts to moderate the effects climates. Koi keepers need to think about how to
of intense sunlight and provide milder seasonal minimize the stress of rapid daily temperature
temperatures can be beneficial. changes and also how to care for your Koi

Page 14 Mid-Atlantic Koi August 2013


according to the local climate conditions. Koi Season Key Seasonal Goals of a Successful
keepers need to understand that Koi stressed by Koi Keeper in Warmer Climates
summer heat will have their health and overall
development adversely affected. Your individual
Transition from winter without
pond situation, this summer, will depend on
experiencing episodes of poor water
several factors including the success of previous
Spring quality or Koi health problems.
seasons. An outdoor Koi pond/filter system is a
Avoid tendency to overfeed and
dynamic changing environment. Keeping Koi is
overstock.
primarily about keeping your pond water clean,
stable and healthy. Here is a description of key Take advantage of early summer
seasonal goals for keeping Koi successfully in growth period and minimize mid to
warmer climates. Summer late summer heat and sunlight
stress while maintaining water
Following are suggestions that will hopefully help quality.
you manage your pond and Koi through a
trouble free summer, which will help prepare This when your adult Koi should
your Koi for a healthier fall and winter. Each of experience their major annual
these topics merits a greater in depth discussion Fall growth and body development and
than found in this article. I urge you to explore prepare to enter winter in peak
these issues in more detail depending on condition
your needs.
Transition from fall growth to
Oxygen winter fasting and rest plus resetting
Winter
their biological clock for next year’s
The biggest hazard and challenge to your Koi in
cycle of growth and development.
warmer climates is lower oxygen levels in the
summer. Air breathing creatures like us live in a
relative oxygen rich environment that is ~ 21%
oxygen. However the amount of oxygen that can Temperature effects on oxygen levels are two-
be dissolved in water is so tiny it is measured in fold. First, temperature affects the ability of water
parts per million (ppm). to hold dissolved oxygen as seen in the chart on
the next page.
One of the most important concepts in main-
taining healthy Koi requires understanding the Second, the rate of metabolism doubles for every
effects that temperature has on oxygen content of 10°C (18°F) temperature change in cold-blooded
water. At 85°F only about a maximum of 6.1 animals. This means the metabolism decreases by
ppm of dissolved oxygen can be maintained in 50% for each drop in temperature of 18°F and
fresh water. Realize it will take a lot of aeration to conversely doubles for every increase of 18°F. For
get your ponds oxygen level to near saturation example, increasing water temperature from 70°F
and the goal is to be at least 80% saturated at all to 88°F means that the requirements of fish, bio-
times. 6.1 ppm is about 35,000 times less oxygen filtration bacteria, algae, in fact all living things
than found in the air we breathe. At elevations are increased by 100% for nutrients, oxygen, and
well above sea level the amount of oxygen would everything else.
be even lower. There is very little safety cushion
when you consider that Koi become stressed at At the same time the oxygen content of the
oxygen levels of less than 5.0 ppm and start dying system would decrease not only because of
at 3.0 ppm. warmer water’s reduced ability to dissolve oxygen

August 2013 Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 15


but also as algae in your pond produce oxygen. However,
Temp Fresh Water because of at night, they consume oxygen and compete with
the increase your fish and filter bacteria for the limited supply
in the of oxygen in the water. This is why fish die offs
ppm/sea level oxygen usually happen in the early morning hours. This
°F
@80% saturation demand. If is why oxygen testing should be done in the early
you were to morning to determine lowest levels.
50 9.0 compare Sadly, I have had too many calls from pond
the amount owners that experienced the majority of their
55 8.5 of oxygen fish dying over night during the hottest summer
and the months. These summer fish kills are usually the
oxygen result of a sequence of events. A combination of
60 8.0
demand at warmer water, increased plant growth, accumula-
52°F tion and decay of organic matter, and an ever
65 7.5 degrees vs. growing biomass of fish causes increased oxygen
88°F consumption at night to the point where the
70 7.1 degrees the drop is significant and lasts long enough to cause
difference is the death of most if not all your Koi. When Koi
75 6.7 even more are stressed by chronic low oxygen problems they
significant. will be much more likely to succumb to diseases
At 88°F and lose their pretty colors.
80 6.4 your pond
oxygen level Here are some tips to prevent low oxygen levels.
85 6.1 would be It is important to determine your pond’s lowest
about 1/3 oxygen level and increase it if needed. The
90 5.7 less cheapest method to measure dissolved oxygen
however (commonly just called DO) is to buy an oxygen
the oxygen demand would be 4 fold greater than test kit. Be sure to get a test kit for fresh water.
at 52°F. Is it any wonder that a pond’s water You fill a test tube with pond water to a predeter-
quality and Koi can suffer during the relatively mined level and then add a reagent and match
hot summers in warmer climates? Here is a chart the color to a chart. You also, need to know your
that shows the amount of oxygen (at 80% satura- pond’s water temperature to determine how
tion levels) at different temperatures at sea level. “saturated” your pond is with oxygen. The goal is
to meet or exceed 80% saturation point at a
Remember that the beneficial bacteria that live in given water temperature. Precise measurement
your filter are also dependent on the amount of with a drop test kit is not possible but will give
oxygen in the water to thrive and do their job of you a good idea of how much DO is in your
converting ammonia to nitrites and nitrates. pond. Remember you should be measuring
Lower oxygen levels can suppress the population about sunrise to get the lowest level of the day.
of “good” bacteria and let ammonia and nitrite You can also buy an oxygen meter to get more
levels increase to stressful or even potentially accurate measurements. DO meters are more
lethal levels. expensive and require calibration and constant
cleaning to be accurate.
The aquatic submerged plants like algae in your
pond are both beneficial and detrimental to How much aeration should you have in a healthy
oxygen levels. During the day aquatic plants such moderately stocked Koi pond? The amount of

Page 16 Mid-Atlantic Koi August 2013


aeration created from a waterfall is difficult to
calculate. I suggest that all Koi ponds use air
pumps rated at 80+ liters per minute per 3,000
gallons of water. Use air stones positioned in
your pond, waterfall area, or bio-filters. Most
common air pumps utilize rubber diaphragms,
which will wear out in two to three years. Heat is
a critical factor in how long they last. Also these
air pumps have a filter to prevent dust from
damaging the pump. Be sure to clean this filter
twice a year as a clogged filter makes the pump
run even hotter. If you have hard water it can Backup Automatic 12 V Battery system to
clog the pores in air stones and cause your air power air pump during power outages
pumps to work even harder and hotter. Clean air
stones used in harder water at least twice per year water particularly if the oxygen was already near
with muriatic acid diluted with three parts water. critical levels. Please consider installing some
Air stones can improve pond water circulation by type of battery backup system to power an
moving water from the bottom to the surface air pump/air stones in your pond during
and also eliminating dead zones of stagnant or power outages.
slow moving water in your system. Also consider
installing passive air venturi’s, which is a fairly Water Temperature
easy DIY project. Venturi’s save the cost of addi-
tional air pumps and electricity but they also You can assume your fish will be significantly
reduce the return flow rate somewhat. stressed if your water temperature goes over 85
degrees or your pond temperature changes by
Some types of Koi pond filters such as those with more than +/- 10 degrees during 24 hours. Find a
moving bed filters require aeration to tumble the way to shade at least part of your pond from the
media and this counts towards your total hottest part of the afternoon sun. Plant a tall
aeration needs. Shower filters or trickle towers hedge on the west side of your pond or locate
also increase aeration based on their above water some tall potted plants or patio umbrellas to help
media designs. In general, the deeper your pond provide some shade. Consider building an arbor,
and the less relative surface area to total pond trellis, or place shade cloth over your pond. Also,
volume the more supplemental aeration you are if your filter system is exposed to the sun create
likely to need. Trickle towers and shower filters shade for it as well.
actually increase the surface area of your pond
which not only improves the oxygen absorption Increase your water circulation. If you have a
but also helps with degassing carbon dioxide and waterfall or fountain increase the water flow. If
other dissolved gases in the pond. It is almost your fountain can be adjusted try for a fine mist
impossible to supply too much aeration to a Koi type effect. Another method is to modify your
pond as long as the aeration occurs in less than pond water return into a spray bar. Spray bars are
8-10 feet of depth. Injecting air at deeper depths pipes with small holes drilled along the bottom
can potentially cause problems with air bubble that create a curtain of water as it is returned to
disease in your fish in certain situations. Realize the pond. Spray bars can drop water tempera-
if your electricity goes off for any reason during tures by 5-8°F degrees when they are built large
the hottest summer months you will have much enough and enough water is pumped through
less time before oxygen is depleted from your them. Maybe this is the time to consider getting a

August 2013 Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 17


larger water pump. Increased circulation will Pond & Filter Maintainence
encourage evaporation, which will have an
Because of higher temperatures fish waste and
additional cooling effect.
wind blown trash decompose faster in the
summer. To compensate you will need to
Another method to cool the area around your
increase the amount and frequency of water
pond is to use one of the water “mist” products
changes and filter cleaning. Do not forget to use
you might have noticed at some restaurants and
adequate dechlor. Chlorine is likely still the #1
amusement parks. We bought one at Home
reason for Koi deaths. I recommend you avoid
Depot for about $13. You connect the mister to a
auto fill devices if you use chlorinated water.
garden hose and several tiny nozzles create a fog
Sooner or later these devices fail and dead fish
like mist that can cool the immediate area by up
are the result.
to twenty degrees. This mister could be placed on
A sign of a healthy Koi pond is a thriving growth
of short filamentous algae on pond surfaces. This
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.
Spray bar water return created with 2˝ pvc No water testing needed here as DOCS are easily
pipe with 1/4˝ holes spaced 1/4˝ apart detected when a foamy scum is observed on your
pond’s surface or in the skimmer. Higher levels
a timer to come on for an hour or so every after- of decaying organic compounds creates popula-
noon in the hottest part of the day. A side benefit tion explosions of disease causing bacteria and
to this is you can be more comfortable and able undesirable algae. High levels of DOCS create an
to enjoy your pond on even the hottest after- hostile environment for beneficial bacteria and
noons. The amount of water used is minimal, algae species by consuming significant amounts
perhaps a few gallons an hour. of dissolved oxygen which creates additional
stress on your Koi. Remember how earlier I said
Shade many of these issues are interrelated? DOCS
indicate a ticking time bomb for your Koi’s
Koi can get sunburned and develop skin
future health. The solution to high DOCS is a
problems and even eye cataracts in shallow
combination of increasing aeration, increasing
ponds. Many Koi keepers also believe that hikui,
filtration, increasing water changes, reducing fish
which is a skin disease of unknown cause might
load, and reducing feeding.
very well be related to excessive sun exposure. In
warmer climates, it is important to provide some
Feeding
shade for your fish. Shade will also help keep
your ponds water temperature cooler and help Most people feed their Koi way too much. I do
control excessive algae growth. and I bet that you do also. If your Koi are shaped
more like footballs than spindles you need to
Page 18 Mid-Atlantic Koi August 2013
reduce the amount of food you feed. In the Hot summers are the price we pay in the south
summer it is better to feed early in the morning for our snow free winters. I hope that this article
when the water temperature is lower. Remember has given you a few ideas to help your Koi have a
optimum water temperature for Koi and healthier and less stressful summer. Making
Goldfish is between 68 and 74°F. When your several small improvements in your pond
water temperature rises above 80°F over feeding dynamics this summer can add up to healthier
causes additional problems including increased less stressed Koi. 
water pollution, oxygen depletion, and algae
growth. At water temperatures over 85F 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.
August 2013 Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 19
The Importance of Oxygen in a Pond
by Linda Montgomery, KHA, Oregon

reprinted from the Northwest Koi and Goldfish Club wouldn’t be quite so complicated…after all…the
fish don’t have lungs to breath with…so just how

I
was asked to write about the importance important could oxygen be!
of having adequate aeration and good
oxygen levels in a pond. Many pond
keepers don’t realize that the oxygen level
in pond water is possibly the single most
important element for good water quality, so I
wasn’t really surprised when this topic was
suggested for an article for the newsletter. It is
also probably the single most neglected aspect of
water quality by most Koi keepers. We are always
talking about testing for pH, ammonia, nitrite
and taking the temperature of your water, but
rarely do you hear anyone mention testing for
dissolved oxygen.

Since Koi are cold-blooded, their body tempera- However, oxygen is extremely important…in
ture is essentially the same as their environment, fact; just a very small increase in the oxygen level
and as such, their oxygen consumption is closely can make a huge difference in the health of your
related to the temperature of the water. This can fish and activity of your biological filtration.
be a major factor in the oxygen content of a Since oxygen can only be introduced into your
pond. The reason for this is that when the water pond by contact with the air and the surface of
gets warmer, the metabolism and activity of our the water, it is really important to consider when
Koi increases and with that, so does their oxygen you design a pond to include in the planning
demand. The problem with this is that as the stage certain design aspects that will help to
temperature increases the amount of oxygen in increase the oxygen content. Some design consid-
the water decreases. On top of that, the biofilter erations include such options as: waterfalls,
and organic decomposition also extract oxygen streams, larger pump for a higher turnover rate,
from the pond water. venturis, and air pumps.

Another consideration is that photosynthesis, by In ponds that have poor circulation or do not
plants and algae, which introduce oxygen into ‘pull’ the water off the bottom (the water that is
the pond during the day, will remove oxygen at furthest away from the air) there can be very
night. Because of this, oxygen levels can fluctuate significant variations in oxygen content. There is
largely from day to night. As mentioned before, also less oxygen in water at higher altitudes, than
the level of oxygen in the pond can also change at sea level (in fact approximately 20% less).
during high and low temperature changes of the Another consideration is that if your water
pond water. WOW…bet you thought oxygen supply is well water, you have very little to no

Page 20 Mid-Atlantic Koi August 2013


oxygen in it. So when replenishing your water hanging or hovering near the surface or at the
level after a water change out, whether it is well base of the waterfall. The fish could also be
water or from a regular water supply, remember breathing heavy or ‘piping’ (which is going up to
to always spray it in to add oxygen/aeration to the surface and back down repeatedly). Also, be
your pond water. careful when treating your pond with medica-
tions as several medications can cause the water
Even though our Koi are extremely well adapted in your pond to become depleted of oxygen.
for extracting oxygen, even from very low
concentrations in pond water, you have to There are other reasons for these symptoms such
understand that the competition is fierce for the as stress, gill problems or parasites, but if you do
oxygen available. Not just our Koi need oxygen suspect an oxygen problem you can do fairly
to thrive, but also the plants and the micro- simple things that will add oxygen and will do no
organisms in our pond need it. harm to the fish if there does happen to be
another reason.
During sunlight the process of photosynthesis
can increase the level of oxygen in the pond If you suspect oxygen depletion in your pond
dramatically but it can also plunge with the you can add a pump that splashes the water off
reversal of the process at night, which can the surface of the pond to agitate the water and
certainly spell disaster for the fish and in some increase the oxygen. You can also add air stones
instances cause the fish to suffocate in ponds to the pond. In an emergency situation you could
at dawn. spray hydrogen peroxide on the surface of the
water to add oxygen. And stop feeding your fish
As mentioned before, the more your pond water for a few days, it certainly won’t hurt them to
is exposed to the air the better your oxygen level go a couple of days without food, and often
will be. For example: Pond #1 is shallow (2 feet when they are oxygen starved they lose
deep) but has a large surface area. Pond #2 is appetite anyway.
deeper (4 feet deep) but has half the surface area.
Both ponds are the same gallons and have the When we are into the warmer water tempera-
same size pump. The fish load, plant load, all tures of summer, be sure to keep the oxygen
other factors are similar between both ponds. content of your pond in mind. Observe your fish,
Which pond would have the higher oxygen they will definitely let you know if they are
content? Pond #1 would, due to the larger surface having a problem…and try not to overlook
area exposure of water to air. However, if the oxygen, it is a very important aspect of the pond
deeper pond (pond #2) had a larger pump with a water…it is not only a necessity to us, but also to
greater turnover rate, so that more water would our beautiful Koi and Goldfish! 
come into contact with the air, then the lack of
surface area could be compensated for. I think
that you can see how important the design of a
pond is as well as the equipment that you choose
to put in your pond system.

Symptoms of low oxygen in a pond are very


important to identify. As mentioned earlier, you
may very likely notice a shortage of oxygen early
in the morning, due to the process of photosyn-
thesis. The Koi could be moving very slowly and

August 2013 Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 21


To Feed, or Not to Feed. That is the Question.
(Along with How Much, How Often and When)
by Meyer Jordan. Ripples, Aquatic Habitats

http://ripplesinc.blogspot.com carpio)given that this is presently the most


popular of pond fish.

T
he seemingly simple act of feeding
one’s pond fish, whether they be Koi, When examining the digestive system of a Koi,
Goldfish, Orfe or other variety, can we are immediately presented with a glaring
quickly become confusing when one physiological difference between Koi and most
is bombarded with admonitions such other fish. Koi do not have stomachs! They
as- “You are feeding too much!,” “You are feeding instead have just one continuous gut. In a natural
too little!,” “Too often!,” “Not often enough!,” environment, food seems to be ingested in small
“Wrong time of day” ad nauseum et confusium. particles in a relatively steady stream instead of
intermittently in large units, so the storage
Perhaps if we were to take the time to examine a function of a stomach probably is not missed.
few basic facts surrounding the digestive
processes and natural feeding behavior and food Digestion takes place in this intestine, which is
preferences of fish, the solution may reveal itself. twice the length of its body. Different enzymes
are secreted by the pancreas along the intestine.
The focus here will be placed on Koi (Cyprinus The system works best if it is able to process a

Page 22 Mid-Atlantic Koi August 2013


steady supply of food. This is why Koi are 34C/93F using both juvenile (61g – 91g) and
constantly rooting around for something to eat. adult (630g – 850g) fish. There were two periods
At the back of the mouth are the pharyngeal that main feeding activity occurred: 8:00 – 11:00
teeth. These are aligned in three rows on each a.m. and 19:00 – 23:00 p.m. with adults consum-
side of the mouth, with three teeth in the inner- ing 27% and juveniles consuming 66% of their
most row and one tooth each in the two outer total daily intake in the two combined time
rows. The teeth are positioned below a tough periods. This would seem to indicate that while a
calcified pad. Food is ground between it and the certain time period feeding preference is evident
pharyngeal teeth before being passed to the first in young Koi, this preference wanes with age.
part of the gut called the esophagus.
More importantly this study showed the effects
Koi cannot digest all foods efficiently. They of temperature on feeding behavior. Both adult
might eat bread and sweet corn, but it is difficult and juvenile Koi reached the maximum daily
for them to digest them. Fibre, especially grass feeding rate at 28°C/82F, being 2.84% and
and alfalfa meal, is important as it allows the 12.06% of body weight, respectively. At 14C/57F,
intestine to grip the food and keep it moving. the daily feeding rate of adult and juvenile
Worms, insect larvae and fresh vegetable matter reached 1.21% and 2.63% of body weight,
are only partly digested and serve as roughage to respectively. At 6°C/43F, though both adult and
keep the intestine active and healthy. Koi will also juvenile would still feed, the feeding quantities
ingest silt and other indigestible detritus to bulk were only 0.01% and 0.35% of body weight. The
out their diet. daily feeding rate of adult and juvenile reduced
suddenly after reaching 34°C/93F and the daily
Koi is an agastric fish, meaning absorption of feeding rate was only 0.74% and 9.45% of body
nutrients is highly dependent on the rate of feed mass, respectively.
passage in the gut. Variables which influence
gastric evacuation time, along with feeding rate, Separate research was conducted to determine
include temperature, season, activity, body size, the effects of feeding frequency on final weight,
gut capacity, satiety, and metabolic rate. The gut daily weight gain and feed efficiency. Adult Koi
transit time (length of time the food takes to pass were fed over a period of 82 days using three (3)
through the gut), just based on temperature, feeding strategies – 1) hand feeding twice a day
varies greatly from 16 hours at 25ºC/77F to 60 to apparent satiation, 2) continuously by means
hours at 12ºC/54F. of an automatic feeder over 2 x 6 hour periods
and 3) continuously feeding a fixed rate of 1.4%
Koi is also an omnivorous fish that possesses
body weight using an automatic feeder.
excellent sight, extremely excellent hearing,
Strategies 2 and 3 improved protein digestibility,
highly developed taste and, according to some, a
whereas only feeding strategy 3 increased organic
sensing mechanism akin to what bats use so
matter digestibility.
effectively. They also possess an excellent
memory. Once they have a negative experience
Have we arrived at an answer to the original
with a food item, they will avoid it at all future
Title question – To feed or not to feed?
times.

Research has shown that, even though they are Yes, but not entirely. We know that we must take
continuously grazing and rooting around for certain factors into consideration.
tidbits and tasty morsels, Koi possess a natural
feeding rhythm. The research was conducted 1. Age of fish – Young fish need to consume a
under temperatures ranging from 4C/39F to higher percentage of their body weight daily in

August 2013 Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 23


The chart below lists suggested daily feeding levels (% of body weight)
based on temperature and body weight.
Fish weight (g)
>5 5 - 20 20 -50 50 -100 100-300 300-1000

<17 6 5 4 3 2 1.5
Temperature °C

17 - 20 7 6 5 4 3 2

20 - 23 9 7 6 5 4 3

23 - 26 12 10 8 6 5 4

>26 19 12 11 8 6 5

(This link is great for determining a close guesstimate of fish weight. http://www.cnykoi.com/calculators/calclenw.asp)

order to sustain healthy growth. As the fish age, dance and availability of natural food sources
growth becomes less of a factor and the feed such as phytoplankton, zooplankton and benthic
demand is reduced. organisms and consequently the lesser need for
supplemental feeding.
2. Temperature – The metabolic demand greatly
diminishes as temperatures are reduced. Stocking levels/Fish load – Here the problem is
Digestion rate is also drastically reduced as not overfeeding the fish, but overfeeding the
evidenced by longer gut transit time. entire system. Unless an exceptional capacity for
bioconversion is available, an overstocked pond
3. Frequency – It has been shown in laboratory cannot accommodate the additional organic
tests that continuous feeding is most beneficial matter generated by adequate feeding levels. In
and more closely coincides with natural feeding addition, soon after feeding, the fish experiences
patterns. Unless one is willing to purchase a an increased Oxygen demand quickly followed
programmable automatic feed dispenser, the by an increased excretion of Ammonia. Neither
continuous feeding option is an impossibility, of these natural occurrences bode well for an
but the greater the number of feeding overstocked pond.
periods that one can manage the more
the fish will benefit. Every pond is unique, so fish feeding practices
must be custom tailored to each pond. There is
Beyond the three aforementioned factors, the no ‘One size fits all” approach to proper feeding,
answer becomes decidedly muddled. One must but following the above guidelines, if you are
also take into consideration: willing to expend a little extra time and effort,
can get you pretty darn close to what is best for
Type of pond – Classic Koi or Ecosystem or the fish and the pond. 
some hybrid style. The more closely that a pond
emulates a true ecosystem, the greater the abun-

Page 24 Mid-Atlantic Koi August 2013


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August 2013 Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 25


Big Koi Caper – Part 4 - Pond Repair Nightmare
by Carolyn Weise, Florida

Heavy rains started filling the empty pond and collecting in the roof.

W
e got the fish safely (except for This has gone from the POND REPAIR to a
the one that flew through the POND REPAIR NIGHTMARE. I nervously
air and into the far wall, all by watched my fish in the swimming pool as the
herself- she didn’t make it) water turned darker, more opaque. I did daily
from the pond to the water testing. It was touch and go. The repair-
swimming pool. We managed to drain down the man was unavailable for several weeks. I had the
leaking pond, all 4,300 gallons, out into the yard. 8-gal of liquid EPDM waiting in my living room,
My friend used his brand new pressure washer still boxed but ready to go at a moment’s notice.
to clean the sides and bottom 3 times in I also had the 3 quarts of primer to guarantee the
preparation for repairs. He demolished and EPDM was successful. Many trash cans filled
removed the Bakki housing, carefully stacking with debris had been hauled off by the regular
the gray boxes (with the media) on the other side truck on garbage day (2 weeks in a row).
of my patio. There were a couple of small I didn’t need to call a dumpster. And finally,
punctures in the pool screen by the pond, so the day came!
I already knew at least two had to be replaced
when this was done. I was looking forward to The job was started. It was a beautiful, sunny,
having my fish back in the pond! hot day, perfect weather for “painting” on the

Page 26 Mid-Atlantic Koi August 2013


Things went from bad to worse as the screen roofing collapsed.

primer. This required 2 days of dry weather and rain in between downpours. I guess rainy season
then the liquid EPDM would go on. All was is early this year… Then, we noticed the tarp
finally falling into place. The end was in sight. and screen bulging with water. Uh-oh! The
But on the day he applied the EPDM, although whole screen pool cage was in danger of collaps-
another beautiful sunny day, the forecast said ing! We had to remove the screens to relieve the
“chance of scattered rain, possible thunderstorm weight on the tarp. I even cut the tarp in one
in the evening” for the following day. We are place to drain the water. What a mess! And
FLORIDIANS. We know how to handle stuff like there’s no end in sight of the rain… So, add to
this. Besides, this is the DRY SEASON! Most of the cost of this project new re-screening now
the scattered “whatevers” and rain patterns down when the rest is finished and pray that the liquid
here are hit-and-miss anyway. I bought a 16´ x EPDM is not going to be damaged by the water.
20´ tarp just in case. We are pumping out the water IN THE
BOTTOM as quickly as it fills…
Uh-oh… The following day the sky continued to
darken. By 4pm it looked ominous. About an Update
hour later, it did not drizzle; it opened up like a
veritable monsoon. He put up the tarp. That After we applied the liquid liner (and then it
seemed like a good idea at the time. By the next rained) we had 3 gallons of PondPro2000 left
day, it was still raining, pouring actually, with over. We decided to apply a second coat as

August 2013 Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 27


“protection” rather than return it to the We found the other problem and it was the
company. Considering the expense, I had an Multi-Port valve of the bead filter. It still has to
internal fight with myself over that one. But by be fixed, but everything else is working beauti-
May 6th, the job was done, second coat in place fully. The Multi-Port prevents the pump from
and drying. The cost of the new “roof ” over the self-priming when I try to backwash the system.
pond will be another $750 (because the installer Well, don’t have to do that for a few weeks or so,
gave me a break). But I chose a hard-top this but it will be done. Oh, and the disgusting
time, something that, should I ever need to do swamp of a swimming pool? It is now clean,
repairs to the pond again (please God, no!) the clear, refilled with fresh water and chlorinated!
weather will not be the issue it was this time. In The fish, too, are in clear, clean water. Initially,
the meantime, I had to chase out blackbirds, coming out of the “swamp-water” (and it was
Mockingbirds, Monarch butterflies, the Love- filled with creepy-crawly things) I treated them
bugs which Florida is famous for, Southern with Broad-spectrum disease treatment. There
Toads and what-not else from the pool/pond were some scales knocked off in the process of
area with which I share my living space when I netting and moving, so we could not take
step outside the slider door that all Florida chances. They are doing very well. I added
homes have. It will be so, so nice to have my life beneficial bacteria (heterotrophs and nitrifiers)
back (one of these days). As with any major to cycle the pond immediately for the fish. The
work (although it didn’t start out major) it seems owner of our local pet shop says “In my next life,
to be taking forever to finish. It has had its I want to come back as one of HER pets!”
excitement, but when it is all done (soon!), I (Meaning me...)
hope I can still afford to put gas in my car.
That roof also cools the house, my home office,
Update - Finished living room, and is such a beautiful thing.
I’m sure it will help the fish in the SW Florida
IT’S FINISHED!! And it looks beautiful! The summer heat, too. 
installer not only gave me a break, he allowed me
to make installments. I was able to eat through- (See picture on next page of the Finished Pond.)
out this process, too. The pond no
longer leaks. The swimming pool
has been drained (all 17,000
gallons) and it was an ugly mess.
The fish removed from the pool
were placed in their “new” pond.
The roof was added. The filter
works beautifully now that we
streamlined it, removing all the
90 angles and replacing them
with 140 , so there is almost no
resistance/friction in the system.
We took out any non-essential
“parts” like the pressurized pre-
filter that was basically doing
nothing, and extra plumbing
pipes. This is an enclosed pond,
Disassembled filter that is believed to have started
so there are no leaves going in. the cracking in the pond.

Page 28 Mid-Atlantic Koi August 2013


Finished Pond

August 2013 Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 29


On the Road
to a Koi Event
August 30–September 1
MKPC’s Second Koi Show/Ikona Koi Show
Held at The Pond Place in Milford, Michigan.
www.mkpc-se.com

September 6–8
ZNA Potomac Koi Club’s 20th Annual Show
See www.znapotomac.org.

September 7-8
Washington Koi & Water Garden Society 22nd
Annual Koi Show
Bothell, Washington. Contact Nancy Moore at
showchair@washingtonkoi.org
www.washingtonkoi.org October 11-13
21st Annual Texas Koi & Fancy Goldfish
September 14 Society - ZNA show.
Idaho Water Garden & Koi Society 20th Annual Latest information on Texas Koi and Fancy
Koi Club Goldfish Society - ZNA on facebook. Or contact
Held at the Idaho Botanical Garden, Boise, Ray Jordan at rjordan8@swbell.net
Idaho. Contact Sot Chimonas 208-286-0288
sotchimonas@msn.com or Bob Dethman Have an upcoming Koi event, please send the
208-939-6064 porsche@centurylink.net information to makcmag@makc.com. We will be
www.iwgks.org glad to include it in future articles.

September 20–22 Don’t forget your own MAKC Club has events
Carolina Classic Koi Show coming up that can be found in our digital
Hosted by the North Carolina Koi and magazine or at www.makc.com. We always need
Watergarden Society. This will be their 5th volunteers for meetings and shows. We hope to
Annual Show. http://www.nckws.net see more of you visiting shows, attending club
meetings, and volunteering to help at Koi events
September 27-29 this year. It is amazing how much you can learn
Northwest Koi & Goldfish Club 33rd Annual by helping. Take advantage of being an MAKC
Koi & Goldfish Show member and participate in the club events. See
Beaverton, Oregon contact Daren Beck you soon at a Koi event. 
503-580-5492, www.nwkg.org

October 4–6

www.makc.com
South Carolina Koi & Goldfish Show
Simpsonsville, SC, Contact: Jim Suerth, Co-Chair
864-879-1369

Page 30 Mid-Atlantic Koi August 2013


August 2013 Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 31
M A KC E v e n t s MAKC Health
Long Island Chapter BBQ Hotline Volunteers
Sunday, August 18
1:00 pm Tom Burton Middletown, NJ 732-671-7045
Philie Gray
Jan & Bill Fogle Wayne, PA 610-687-3105
211 South Ocean Ave.
Freeport, NY 11520 Floyd Broussard Woodbridge, VA 703-491-4921
516-209-3841
Terri Janas Ashburn, VA 703-729-2988
Contact Bruce Levine if you have questions
bruce@li-koi.com • Cell: 516-477-1823  Jeff Nicholson Odenton, MD 301-912-1928

All members have microscopes and health


MAKC Upcoming All books. In the event of a recorded message,
please suggest a time when you're home to
Chapter Events receive a return call or when you'd like to call
back.
BBQ and Multi-Club Auction
Please remember that advice is given based
Sunday, August 18 on your input–the ultimate responsibility
1:00 pm and treatment must remain with you.
Philie Gray
211 South Ocean Ave.
Freeport, NY 11520
516-209-3841

Auction of 30 Goshiki tosai, 15 ginrin and


15 non-ginrin.
www.makc.com
The club will supply Hot Dogs/Hamburgers/
Smoked Ribs and refreshments. Please bring
side dishes or dessert. Call Philip if you have
any questions. 
Send your meeting and event
information to Joyce Spears
MAKC Koi Show 856-832-4922 or

le d gjs63@comcast.net.
l
September 27 – 29
c e
Can
Held at Kodama Koi Farm at Waterford Gardens Deadline August 1st
74 East Allendale Road for the September 2013 issue.
Saddle River, New Jersey 

Page 32 Mid-Atlantic Koi August 2013


Treasurer’s Report
Upcoming Workshop Submitted by
Carolyn Broussard, Virginia
September 20 & 21
Balance as of May 7, 2013 $19,536.89
Designing and Constructing
Water Features & KOI CARE Income:
Memberships 812.50
Upcoming Workshop at Shofuso Japanese Total Income $812.50
House and Garden Philadephia PA: details
at http://www.najga.org/ Expenses:
This will include an on site visit to Disbursement for new
Quality Koi. MAKC Account 20,061.49
Credit Card Fees
Check out the website and let me, (May/June) 175.80
Herb Ehrich, know your thoughts.
Total Expenses $20,237.29
Also please note this is another new email
Balance as of July 7, 2013 $112.10
address. Yes, got hacked again!
(Pending Additional Credit Card Fees)
koiking15@yahoo.com
Reserve Account/Prepaid Memberships

Balance as of September 30, 2012 $6,408.83


Need to Change Your Interest Income 0.16
email or Home Address? Balance as of June 30, 2013 $6,408.99

Have Questions about your
Membership Status? Thank You Carolyn Broussard.
We appreciate your years as
Contact:
Barry Hixson Treasurer of MAKC!
5465 Towanda Dr.
Bethlehem, PA 18017
610-262-5184 or makcmem-
bers@verizon.net

Renew Your MAKC Membership


by printing out page 37 and
mailing it to Barry.

August 2013 Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 33


F..A..S..T.. Ads – August
Disclaimer: MAKC and its officers assume no QUALITY SHOW KOI. Show quality Koi for
responsibility for claims of advertisers or the sale. Need to thin out my pond contact
quality/serviceability of goods offered. philiegray@mac.com

MAKC Member Needs Your Help WANTED

LOVING CATS TO GOOD HOMES . Passing KOI. Foster Home. Large natural pond. Happy
of spouse forces me to find homes for both to accept your overgrown or unwanted “children.”
inside and outside cats. All neutered. Phone Call Rich Menashe in Metuchen, NJ,
973-390-6490 with what you are looking for and 732-767-0720.
we can match you with your new best friend.
KOI. Wanted Healthy Pond Grade KOI over 10˝.
FOR SALE Will pay reasonable prices. I have a 750,000
gallon pond and will adopt any unwanted KOI.
Remember any MAKC member can list their Call Joseph Pollock in Virginia at 540-788-9222.
Koi, pond, or related items for sale here in your
magazine at no charge. Please contact Ellie KOI. Wanted for large deep natural pond next to
today if you have something for sale. soon to be built wine tasting room in wine
country of Northern Virginia. Happy to accept
BAMBOO. Winter hardy and tropical for any and all Koi of any size and color. Stop by and
indoors. Thinning collection. Reasonable prices. visit them next year when our tasting room
Call Ron Altman, NY 718-442-1673 (Office) or opens. Call Mark Malick in Purcellville, VA,
908-658-3055 (H). 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.
F..A..S..T.. Ads Policy & Deadlines Mailing address: Roger Klocke,
F..A..S..T.. Ads are available FREE to MAKC 4805 Meadow Creek Dr., Fargo, ND 58104.
members only; no commercial ads. Ads are
limited to 10 items and must include name, KOI STORE EMPLOYEE. Looking for a
phone number, town and state. Deadline is knowledgeable Koi and pond hobbyist.
the 1st of each month. Part-time, competitive pay. Outstanding
employee discounts! Call John at Blue Ribbon
Help do you have an hour or two? We
Koi Products. 703-753-7566.
need a volunteer to manage this page.
Please contact
MAKC CENTRAL CHAPTER VICE-
Philip Gray • 516-486-5163 PRESIDENT. Schedule 4 to 12 meetings per year.
philiegray@mac.com This includes making sure that the meeting
announcement is submitted to the magazine and
the MAKC website. Plenty of advice and support
Page 34 Mid-Atlantic Koi August 2013
are available. Your "compensation" .... knowing
that you have given back to MAKC and your
fellow members. Please don't wait for someone Mid-Atlantic Koi
else to step forward! MAKC is a membership
organization. If more than one person is Ad Index
interested, you can share the fun! E-mail
Philip Gray at philiegray@mac.com or call
516-486-5163.  Aquaculture Bead Long Island Fish Hospital . . .21

Filter Specialists . . . . . . .7, 31 Matala USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Aquatic Nutrition – Mazuri . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Time to Renew Your Blackwater Gold–N . . . . . . .19 Microbe-Lift . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Books on Amazon . . . . . . . . .25 Nisei Koi Farm . . . . . . . . . .7, 13


Membership! Hikari . . . . . . . . . .7, Back Cover Pentair Aquatic

Kloubec Koi Farm . . . . . . . . . .4 Eco-Systems, Inc. . . . . . . . . .4

Kodama Koi Farm . . . . . . .7, 25 Quality Koi Company . . . .7, 13

Dog Days of Summer

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 Philip Gray at


516-486-5163 (leave message) or e-mail:
philiegray@mac.com
to request information on our advertiser
packages and/or a copy of
Stay in the Shade and our ad rate sheet.

Enjoy Your Summer *With an annual 10 issue contract.

August 2013 Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 35


A Picture to Share

Our new Lotus; what color will it be!


Photo shared by Tom and Cindy Graham.

Have a picture to share? Send your photos to the


Editor, Carolyn Weise at makcmag@makc.com. 

Page 36 Mid-Atlantic Koi August 2013


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 Barry Hixson at 610-262-5184 or e-mail:
makcmembers@verizon.net for details.
Please consult the following chart for the proper amount and send your check (payable to the Mid-Atlantic
Koi Club) to me, Barry Hixon, 5465 Towanda Dr., Bethlehem, PA 18017.

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. Barry Hixson
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 ___________

August 2013 Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 37

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