lessons learned from cold weather

[dizzyfish]

Quote: Originally Posted by karipeters I'm planning to take the Dealers course next year - couldn't work it out for this year. I'm going to Georgia Seminar in February - if there is anything about this covered there I'll post it!

Kari,
Ask Doc Johnson if "sleeping sickness" that the young koi get is a virus.
Thanks,
Mitch

[karipeters]

Interesting stuff. I've heard that it is a bacterial infection, but have not read any data (proof) on the subject.

[Brutuscz]

Quote: Originally Posted by REC B.. Did I read this right?? Your salt level is .25%?? If so, that is WAY too high for winter in an unheated pond. You need to get your salt level below .1%. Increase salinity lowers the temperature at which water reaches maximum density. In natural freshwater, that temp is 39 deg F and as I mentioned, in properly designed ponds, your water will not get colder than 39 Deg F. However, by raising the salt above .1%, this reduces the max density temp level significantly and since we are dealing a very small margin for error between the 39 deg f and 35 deg F physiological limit of the fish, we can't take the risk of higher levels of salt. REC

I'll tell you the truth...I am using this salt test kit. I am doubting it's accuracy. That level of salt is more than double what I expected
I have a refractometer from my reef tank(gone now). I don't know how accurate it is down to that level. I'll give it a try. That number simply cannot be correct!!!

[REC]

Eugene,

You asked how long they can handle being in 35-39 deg F water. I don't know that answer and I doubt anyone does. Seems like a lot of factors come into play including physiology, etc. Gee, I would not even begin to guess at it.

REC

[JasPR]

REC, a very innocent ( but also VERY loaded question ) what do the folks in your circle feel happens metabolically when a carp enters winter stasis? ( 45 F and downward)
JR

[Brutuscz]

Does adding baking soda (sodium bicarb) for the purpose of buffering, affect a salinity measurement? Just curious.
I added some to my pond..and the salinity measures even higher now.

[KoiCop]

Quote: Originally Posted by Brutuscz Does adding baking soda (sodium bicarb) for the purpose of buffering, affect a salinity measurement?

No, it won't.

From REC (post #25, this thread):

Baking soda will work just fine... you can do the math... one pond of BS will raise the KH levels 100 points in 700 gallons of water. Your GH numbers are adequate but could use some attention. If you go with the calcium carbonate, you get the benefit of raising both the KH and GH levels. Baking soda just raises the KH levels and calcium chloride raises both the calcium GH levels as well as the salinity levels (albiet less by ratio).

[Eugeneg]

Quote: Originally Posted by Brutuscz Does adding baking soda (sodium bicarb) for the purpose of buffering, affect a salinity measurement? Just curious. I added some to my pond..and the salinity measures even higher now.

What I found with salinity meters is that the prongs get coated with use and are totally inaccurate . rinsing them after each use prolongs their life . I f the readings are not believeble it is most likely that you need a new meter or test kit .
Regards
Eugene

[Brutuscz]

I am just kind of confused right now. I have the box test kit(shown), a frshwater hydrometer and a refractometer. They are all giving different readings for salinity...and all higher than I expected. I don't know if it's the low temperatures of the water..or the addition of calcite sand(88lbs in a flow through bag)...or the baking soda(only added 4 lbs)?!?! Well...the fish look perfect. When It warms up a little, I'll change some water to lower the salinity. Too cold to do it today.

[MikeM]

Bumping this up for a friend.