Okies

[tranquility]

Oh yes...the gravel needs to go and truthfully the black ones should go too...the sooner the better...I know the spot where you do alot of shopping also has ALL its ponds with rock in the bottom--probably even sold you a bottle of bacteria too ...but, it isn't good for the fish at all...not to mention the cleaning of it....Remember the guy I was telling you about in Gore....He had rocks in his pond before the redo....once he got in there and started stirring things around and removing the rocks and pebbles after years of it being there.....We had to go over and try to save a bunch of his koi because they had huge ulcers...Sadly he lost all the koi that had the ulcers....rocks are a perfect place for buggers to build up-I don't know the proper term but--just do a search on this and any other serious koi forum and you'll soon find out that rocks are a big no-no....not to mention a nasty mess to clean in the spring....the goal for the pond is to keep it as clean as possible...Rocks make that impossible to do....by doing away with the rocks now---You'll be happier in the long run...
Lawanna

[N2koi]

I'll them out this weekend!!! But I do understand the bacteria under the rock issue. LaWanna when can i come over???

[PapaBear]

I'm glad Lawanna chimed in, because I was getting ready to myself...
When you start taking the rocks out you'll begin to understand why she recommended it. Even in a short time an amazing amount of nasties will accumulate, and you won't enjoy the smell if it goes on like that for too long. Getting rid of the turd trap now will save you a LOT of dirty work later, not to mention the cleaner/healthier environment for the fish

[N2koi]

These posts are the reasons I join the forums!!!!!! Thanks

[tranquility]

Kyle I have already figured out your a step above most newbies...Stick with these guys you will not only enjoy this hobby but, you will learn what the koi truly need to thrive....I have learned most of what I know from these guys and from the folks on KS..the only drawback I have found from getting this far involved is that you soon develop a taste for the expensive stock...If you're like me you develop champagne taste on a beer budget....So I just drool over the gorgeous koi I see....and dream ......and it seems your eager to learn and practice what it takes to make the koi healthy....that's good...You still have a lot to learn---so fasten your seat belt and enjoy the ride.....

Awww this weekend is Memorial Day weekend---So looks like the plans will change...Next Saturday looks good..You got bottom drains on your pond?
Lawanna

[tranquility]

Oh and is that a channel cat in the 2nd pic .....I have two--myself a regular channel and an albino....If it is a channel though I must warn you...You want to make sure ALL your koi are larger than the channel or you'll soon start missing koi .....The game warden I talked to about them said that around 2 years of age they start needing alot of protein in their diet and he has found them dead with fish soo big they couldn't swallow and they would get wedged in their mouth and kill them....soo if it is---just be aware of the fact that they will eat anything they can get in their mouths....We end up loosing several babies every winter ---of course I've got lots of them anyways
Lawanna

[lypope]

Before you begin to remove the rocks, remove the fish to a temp pond. As you remove the rocks you will stir up all kinds of crap, releasing hydrogen sulfide (you'll know when you smell it) which can kill your koi. So, get the fish out before you get the rocks out.

[N2koi]

Silly girl!!!! Thats Bubba the Doitsu cha. If he hears that u called him that he will eat my fish I get from U!!!!!

[tranquility]

OH NO...my apologies to Bubba .....But, please explain to him--He is NOT allowed to eat the other fish .....
Lawanna