Nov. 2015 issue

Beneath the Surface

Find us on Facebook as: Eastern Iowa Pond Society www.EIPS.org

In this newsletter:

Oct.. meeting info..……...1

Oct. Meeting minutes….2-6

Inspiration……………….7

Fish in the Winter...……8-9

Winterizing your Pond..10-11

Facebook………………..12

Membership Form…….…13

Contact Information:

Find us on the web at:

www.EIPS.org or

on Facebook

President: Dave Keller

dakeller@southslope.net

VP : Jackie Allsup 934-3665

Sec.: Linda Nolan 363-9408

Treas.:Pam Moore, 362-3375

LAST MEETING OF THE YEAR!!

PLEASE NOTE NEW DATE AND TIME.

BECAUSE OF THE THANKSGIVING WEEKEND OUR

LAST MEETING WILL BE THE SATURDAY BEFORE:

NOVEMBER 21ST AT NOON GODFATHER’S PIZZA ROOM

TOWN AND COUNTRY STRIP MALL IN C.R.

$5.00 PER PERSON TO EAT WITH THE CLUB PICKING UP

ANY BALANCE IN THE MEAL.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Oct. meeting minutes:

Our October meeting found us back at the Thompson’s as they have a large inside room we

could use for our meetings. Our thanks go out to them again for letting us take advantage of their

hospitality.

Pam Moore talked to the club about a recent trip they had taken with the Nolans to a past

speaker, Gary Whittenbaug’s gardens in Oelwein, Iowa. Gary has a very extensive dwarf conifer

collection. She spoke very highly of his gardens and advised anyone getting anywhere close to his

house to stop in for a visit.

There was no old or new business, so the meeting was very short.

The ladies took part in constructing some very nice Fall wreaths. It was a fun little project

which we all enjoyed doing.

Meeting adjourned… Jackie Allsup

Need Inspiration??

WHAT HAPPENS TO

POND FISH IN

WINTER?

The warm weather is obviously the best time to be able to enjoy pond fish keeping. During this time pond fish and

koi are active, lively, and highly visible. Many pond fish and koi become downright interactive with their keepers

and will follow them around the pond, stick their faces out of the water or practically climb out of the pond to cele-

brate feeding time. During this time we all know exactly what is going on with our fish and all it takes is a quick

peek into the pond.

Then the cold weather sets in and we slowly lose our ability to see what’s happening with our pond fish. Their activ-

ity slows down, they tend to keep themselves concealed, and once the ice and snow come; well, we lose touch with

our fish. So what’s going on underneath those layers of ice and snow? What are our fish up to?

In short our fish are not up to too much. But pond fish not being up to too much is an interesting behavior all the

same, given that they are so lively throughout the rest of the year. Koi and pond fish are poikilothermic animals, a

fancy way of saying cold-blooded. This basically means that their body temperature is regulated by the surrounding

temperature of the water, and their body functions respond and change according to the water temperature. The ac-

tivity and metabolism of koi and pond fish is greatly reduced which is why they do not feed during the cold periods.

Many experts say that because koi and pond fish are cold water fish they actually benefit from a cold period, howev-

er; prolonged cold spells are not good for them, they run the risk of their immune systems actually shutting down.

So what do they do? For the most part they sit on the bottom of the pond in the “warmest” pocket of water they can

find. During winter months the warmer water is on the bottom of the pond as opposed to warmer months when the

warmer water is at the top of the pond. I have often seen my koi lined up next to each other, facing the same direc-

tion as if they were in a parking lot! This is funny behavior that may lead to think that they are huddled together to

share body heat; but since koi are poikilothermic that would not make sense, so this behavior is probably a way to fit

as many koi into that pocket of warm water as possible. In larger warm areas you’d probably see a more random for-

mation of the koi, some facing this way and others facing that way.

What happens to the koi and other pond fish is that they go into a state of torpor. Torpor is not quite

full hibernation, because it is of a shorter duration than hibernation, but otherwise it is a very simi-

lar state of being: reduced body temperature, slowed metabolism, slow reaction times, reduced

breathing rate and primary body functions. Torpor allows the animal to save the energy that would

otherwise be needed for higher levels of activity. Because of the state of being in torpor it is a very

good idea to keep things as calm as possible around the pond. If you need to open the ice in the

pond find a quiet way to do it like using boiling water to open a hole, don’t chop it open with a pick

ax! Even using a hand held drill with a hole saw is actually pretty quiet compared to other methods,

and if the ice is too thick to open with boiling water the hole saw is a great tool to have. To main-

tain an open area in the ice try using a floating de-icer or an aerator. This open area in the ice will

allow noxious gases, like ammonia, to escape from the pond.

Some people add salt to their ponds. I personally am not a practitioner of adding salt unless it is for

treatment purposes, but if you do add salt to your pond you should dilute your salt levels during

cold winter months. The salt can make your pond water’s freezing point drop to below 30F which

will kill your fish. Generally speaking you should not let your pond water’s temperature drop be-

low 34F. Temperatures below 34F will allow ice crystals to form on the gills of your koi, which can

kill them, so watch the temperatures if you live in an area of extreme winter temperatures.

If your pond is cleaned and prepped prior to those cold dark winter months, then worry not, your

koi and pond fish should do just fine. Like was mentioned the koi, goldfish, and pond fish in your

pond do not DO much during the winter months. Spring will be here soon enough and your fish

will start again with their antics and amusing behavior. But for now you have a better idea of what

is happening out there under the ice and snow, and you are not missing out on any party. If only we

could share that state of torpor and wake again when the spring has sprung!

The LOVE YOUR POND blog is written by Mike Gannon of Full Service Aquatics.

- See more at: http://fullserviceaquatics.com/pond-fish/what-happens-to-

pond-fish-in-winter/#sthash.M6DoWLhB.dpuf

KOI POND WATER

GARDEN WINTER

CARE TIPS

By: Mike Gannon

Seasonal changes can represent challenges for many koi pond and water garden owners. Some

pond owners may even have to deal with drastic changes for each season. Sub-zero brutal winter

temperatures thawing into the soaking rains of Spring time. Spring time very quickly transforms

into a Summer of heat waves, drought, and soaring temperatures. And before Ol’ Man Winter starts

bellowing again the Autumn time dumps massive amounts of material into our yards, koi ponds,

and water gardens. As pond owners it seems we need to have a game plan every few months!

Since winter time in many areas can represent some particularly challenging conditions for koi

ponds and water gardens, let’s touch on some tips for winter pond care. Winter is a time that not

enough of us pond owners are enjoying our ponds natural beauty. It’s understandably since some-

times the conditions just won’t permit it. Since contact could be limited with your pond here are a

few things to keep in mind for your winter pond care.

Try to start the winter with a clean pond. October is a great time to get your winter pond prep

done. Leaf netting placed over your pond is very helpful this time of year, and can come off in a

few weeks. As temperatures dip and drop be sure to have your de-icer and aerator installed; some-

times those overnight temperature dips can catch you off guard. This is typically time to stop feed-

ing your koi and goldfish as well.

When winter really blows in ice and snow become considerations in your pond care. When koi

ponds and water gardens ice over it typically starts at the edge of the pond and slowly creeps in-

ward over the entire pond. Ice cover is ok in ponds 18” and deeper in most

cases. Properly functioning de-icers and aerators will keep an opening in the ice cover all the way down to the single

digit temperatures (F). Single digit temperatures should be considered extreme conditions.

If you have a waterfall try not to allow the water to flow over any ice that may have formed in the waterfall or

pond; try to keep the water flowing below ice cover. Water that flows over ice can become much colder than the

pond water itself, which can drive down temperatures within the pond; which is NOT desirable. Water flowing over

ice into your pond should be stopped when you encounter it asap!

If you find yourself caught off guard with extreme weather and icing conditions do not try to break a hole in your

ice. Ice even 1” thick is a very difficult material to break through, imagine trying to break through 5” of ice! For ex-

treme conditions like this a hole saw will come in very handy. Instead of stressing your fish and yourself out with

the exhausting chore of hacking through the ice with that hand hatchet from your shed, try using a 4” hole saw

(found at any big box home store) that will cut a very nice hole in the ice, with minimal effort, which you can drop

some air lines down through.

When aerating a winter pond try to start with fresh new air diffusers. When placing the diffusers into the pond do

not go too deep. If you have shelves in your pond place the diffusers on the shallowest shelf. Whatever the case,

since so many ponds have different configurations, try to avoid placing the diffuser on the bottom of the pond. Dur-

ing colder winter months the water on the bottom of the pond should not be moved to the top of the pond that much,

since an effect of “super cooling” the pond can happen; much like what happens when water flows over ice into

your pond.

After heavy snow fall remove some or all of the snow from your water garden koi pond to allow for some sun-

light to get into the pond. This is not a critical task, however; don’t leave your fish and plants in the dark for too

long. Snow removal from your pond also improves safety around the pond when it cannot be seen under snow cov-

er; we don’t want people, pets, or critters falling into your pond this time of year so let them know the pond is there.

An open pond also provides a nice source of water for small or not so small birds and animals in your area.

These are just a few tips to keep in mind during those winter months. There are many other things to observe and

enjoy about your pond during this time of year. Every koi pond and water garden will have specific considerations

as well. With these few winter care pond tips you can look forward to the winter months, and actually take time to

enjoy the amazing conditions that winter can bring along with it. Enjoy the dynamic and natural beauty of your

pond this winter!

Mike Gannon is author of the LOVEYOUROND blog and owner at Full Service Aquatics located in Summit, NJ

USA.

Our Facebook page is back up and running!!! Be sure to go

find us at “Eastern Iowa Pond Society”.

“LIKE” us so you get all the notices!

“POST” your pictures of your pond!

“COMMENT” - we want to hear from you!!

“SHARE” EIPS with everyone you know!!

Promote the club so that other’s can find us!!

It’s Fall!

Don’t forget the Pond Club

owns a Pond Vacuum. If you

would like to use it for your

cleanouts, simply make

arrangements with Pam Moore

to come and get it.

Eastern Iowa Pond Society, Inc.

Membership Application

To become a member of the Eastern Iowa Pond Society, Complete this form and mail

along with your dues to:

Eastern Iowa Pond Society

% Pam Moore

2010 Spoon Creek Ct. SE

Cedar Rapids, IA 52403

————————————————————————————

___ New Membership ___ Renew Membership

Name: _______________________________________________________

Address: _____________________________________________________

Phone Number: ______________ E-mail Address: ____________________

Dues are $10.00 per calendar year per family. Make checks payable to Eastern Iowa

Pond Society, Inc. ALL newsletters can now be found on line at www. EIPS.org

Eastern Iowa Pond Society

Our Mission Statement:

The purpose of the Association shall be to create, promote

and enlarge the hobbies of ponds, aquatic gardening, and

keeping, breeding, appreciating, and exhibiting the wonderful

world of fish.

The Association shall disseminate information about t he

above to the membership to engage in educational and social

activities related to our purposes; and to acquire and own such

property as may be necessary for any or all of the fore going

purposes.

Eastern Iowa Pond Society

Jackie Allsup, Editor

PO Box 148

Quasqueton, IA 52326