Watergarden Crap!

[MikeM]

Disney has had 'floating islands' of annual flowers in the stormwater lakes at EPCOT for many years. They are beautiful in the right place in full sun if re-planted with the seasons. They don't try to keep koi in the run-off, however.

[dick benbow]

But I think it's difficult to deal with Ignorance.

I have tried to go out of my way to reach landscapers and watergardeners
and find I put in lots of effort for no or little return. For example I would write that person back who included the note and explain things, taking up my time
and with no return response or acknowledgement. Just the big abyiss.....It's ashame....

[JanT]

is sad. And I must preface this with this note: I do not know the maker of the specific island product I speak of. I am not being malicious, but sharing some information for all newbies who may be thinking seriously about what is best for their koi. Just trying to point out truths so others can see why we speak so vehemently on 'no structure in a true koi pond'.

This hobbyist has a well built, 6' deep pond with approx. 12000 gals volume, Nexus filters, etc. Thought he would try a 'floating island'. Put in last summer - 06. Well, late summer, 2007 he was checking the fish one day and noticed a rather red line across the shoulder area of one of his largest koi (20+ in.) A closer look revealed the existence of a piece of heavy 'fishing line' cutting into the fish. It was the circle of fishing line that had been installed from the floating island in the center of his pond to the shore to anchor it. It came loose from shore, floating in his pond, and his koi swam right thru the center of that circle of line. AND, she had been swimming around pulling said floating island (very large one I might add) for quite some time, creating a rather deep laceration across her mid section.

Long story short, made a true believer of him! Called to ask for help and to say "Now I know why you guys said you didn't like these things".

We all must sometimes 'learn it the hard way'! (the koi is OK, now indoors recuperating in Q tank for the winter, but will probably have a perm. scar)

[Russell Peters]

Quote: Originally Posted by dick benbow But I think it's difficult to deal with Ignorance. I have tried to go out of my way to reach landscapers and watergardeners and find I put in lots of effort for no or little return. For example I would write that person back who included the note and explain things, taking up my time and with no return response or acknowledgement. Just the big abyiss.....It's ashame....

Dick, it is because the only motivating factor for them is money. I will not waste my time trying to explain to someone that the long term hard earned dollar is the way to go.

[Russell Peters]

Quote: Originally Posted by JanT is sad. And I must preface this with this note: I do not know the maker of the specific island product I speak of. I am not being malicious, but sharing some information for all newbies who may be thinking seriously about what is best for their koi. Just trying to point out truths so others can see why we speak so vehemently on 'no structure in a true koi pond'. This hobbyist has a well built, 6' deep pond with approx. 12000 gals volume, Nexus filters, etc. Thought he would try a 'floating island'. Put in last summer - 06. Well, late summer, 2007 he was checking the fish one day and noticed a rather red line across the shoulder area of one of his largest koi (20+ in.) A closer look revealed the existence of a piece of heavy 'fishing line' cutting into the fish. It was the cirlcle of fishing line that had been installed from the floating island in the center of his pond to the shore to anchor it. It came loose from shore, floating in his pond, and his koi swam right thru the center of that circle of line. AND, she had been swimming around pulling said floating island (very large one I might add) for quite some time, creating a rather deep laceration across her mid section. Long story short, made a true believer of him! Called to ask for help and to say "Now I know why you guys said you didn't like these things". We all must sometimes 'learn it the hard way'! (the koi is OK, now indoors recuperating in Q tank for the winter, but will probably have a perm. scar)

This is a great story to share, the sad thing is that most people still won't learn from this until they have experienced it themselves. You don't know how many times I've been frustrated telling people not do do things with their Koi and ponds only to have them tell me, "My friend has done this and their Koi are fine".

[dick benbow]

But I had to Try

Quess this battle has been going on before us and will probably continue long after...still it's gotta be refreshing for some to know that dealers, teachers, and hobbyists alike are trying to get the word out to save even one person from grief....never was a fan of the quick buck because it meant someone was left with the task (albeit long) of recovering from the results.

[gspotmc]

Here's a couple of shots of my now empty watergarden. Only consolation is the hardscape.

[Russell Peters]

Quote: Originally Posted by gspotmc Here's a couple of shots of my now empty watergarden. Only consolation is the hardscape.

Hey Mikey, where are the Koi? You need some Koi in there.

[KoiCop]

Quote: Originally Posted by gspotmc Here's a couple of shots of my now empty watergarden. Only consolation is the hardscape.

Hey, Michael . . .

Did it smell good when you mucked it out?

[gspotmc]

Quote: Originally Posted by Russell Peters Hey Mikey, where are the Koi? You need some Koi in there.

Russ,
The pond has been empty for over a year now. I don't want to put any koi's in there simply because they get damage even before they go to the main pond. It use to be my qt. My first wipe out happened in this pond or watergarden.
Michael