Fall is in full swing! The sun is setting earlier every day & the temps are falling… And soon, the saddest part of the season will be paying us a visit… The time when we STOP feeding our Koi for the season 😔
The Koi have eaten well this year & have put on a good bit of fat to get them through the Cool Season ahead. Now is the time that many of my clients and fellow Koi enthusiasts start asking a very important question…
– When do I stop feeding Cool Season Koi Food to my Pond Pets?
– My Answer- Remember the rule of 50!
It’s getting close to the time of the year to stop feeding our ‘Finned Friends’… Sad, but so important for their health and well being.
When the water temperature stabilizes below 50 degrees Fahrenheit you should stop feeding your Koi… Even Cool Season Koi Food… We like to call it the ‘Rule Of 50’… | Carters Nursery, Pond & Patio | Jackson, TN
Switching to a Cool Temperature Koi Food is very important for the health of your Koi!So is knowing when to stop feeding!
Every Pond should have a floating Pond thermometer. Our finned friends are cold blooded & water temperature is very important when it comes to seasonal feeding times. Pick one up at Carters Nursery, Pond & Patio | Jackson, TN
So to wrap it up, keep a check on your water temp (via a floating thermometer) & when your water temp stabilizes below 50 degrees, you should transition from Cool Season Koi Food to NO More feeding for this season. That’s the “Rule of 50”…
Fall is in full swing! The sun is setting earlier every day & the temps are falling… And soon, Jack Frost 🥶 will be paying us a visit… The Koi have eaten well this year & have put on a good bit of fat to get them through the Cool Season ahead. Now is the time that many of my clients and fellow Koi enthusiasts start asking a very important question…
– When do I stop feeding regular food and start feeding Cool Season Koi Food?
– My Answer- Remember the rule of 60!
Switching to a Cool Temperature Koi Food is very important for the health of your Koi!
When the water temperature drops below 60 degrees Fahrenheit you should switch to a Lower Protein, Cool Season Koi Food. We like to call it the ‘Rule Of 60’… | Carters Nursery, Pond & Patio | Jackson, TN
Every Pond should have a floating Pond thermometer. Our finned friends are cold blooded & water temperature is very important when it comes to seasonal feeding times. Pick one up at Carters Nursery, Pond & Patio | Jackson, TN
Every Pond should have a floating Pond thermometer. Our finned friends are cold blooded & water temperature is very important when it comes to seasonal feeding times. Pick one up at Carters Nursery, Pond & Patio | Jackson, TN
So to wrap it up, check your water temp (via a floating thermometer) & when your water temp drops to 60 degrees, you should transition to Cool Season Koi Food. That’s the “Rule of 60”… 😉
Evening feeding time is a daily ritual around here. We feed the Koi in all the Ponds and in all the different Fish Tanks as well. It’s a labor of Love ❤️
They are waiting everyday for their meal and I think they enjoy our company as well. Like old friends…
I Love Koi! I love watching them swim, I love feeding them, I love the fact that they are so long lived as well. And, I LOVE finding new Koi that catch my eye and adding to my collection… But, how many Koi in any given pond are enough? – When do I have too many Fish?
Staying in balance is what it’s all about. Flow rates, filter size, plant load AND fish population! | Carters Nursery, Pond & Patio | Jackson, Tennessee
Not having too many fish in your pond is a Big Deal! It literally means the difference between a healthy low maintenance pond & a problem pond… Who wants green water & sickly fish?
I try to keep my fish stock to a percentage. You can figure it two ways – 1” of fish per square foot of surface area OR 1” of fish per 10 gallons of water. If you keep to these parameters you will have a much healthier, lower maintenance pond.
Remember the guidelines when it comes to fish stocking rates – 1” of fish per square foot of surface area OR 1” of fish per 10 gallons of water. This will help keep your pond in balance! And it will help you relax… That’s a Huge part of being a Pond Owner 😊
We are selling Koi again! And with selling comes questions. Some of the most basic questions I get time and time again, so here is a repost of some basic “Koi Myths” that I hear all the time… Have a Great Hump Day!
“It’s Wednesday, aka “Hump Day” and as usual the subject is Koi & Koi Pond’s 😊 We were discussing erroneous information & myths about Koi keeping that are out there, so I thought why not make a blog post about it… Here’s a quick “Top 5”…
#1 – You Can’t Be A Koi Keeper & A Water Gardener.
Not true! You can raise healthy koi In your beautiful water garden! The koi can grow up to be just as beautiful and healthy as they are in traditional koi ponds. Proper design is key! You will LOVE how they compliment each other 😊 I have installed Hundreds of beautiful Water Gardens with healthy happy Koi.
Koi and Water Gardens go together like peas and carrots 😊 | Carters Nursery, Pond & Patio | Jackson, Tennessee
#2 – Predators Will Eat All Your Fish.
Again, Proper Design is key! Raccoons generally won’t swim. That’s not to say they never swim, or couldn’t stand on the side of your pond and take a paw swipe or two at your fish… Fortunately, most fish will swim to a deeper, more protected part of the pond when a predator is threatening them. The one predator with legitimate credentials is the blue heron. Plenty of lily pads give them some protection and will work to minimize attracting a heron in the first place. Other protection measures include a motion activated water sprayer called a “Scarecrow” or even better a “Koi-cave” structure that can be built in during the pond’s construction. IF you already have a pond, they can be added with minimum remodeling during a clean out service.
A Blue Heron is a major Predator of our Koi and pond fish! BUT, we can stop them from harming our ‘finned friends’! Tools like a “Scarecrow”, or a fish cave really help! In the Fall a leaf net helps with more than 1 task 😊
#3 – Your Pond Must Be (3) Three Feet Deep to Keep Koi.
There are literally tens of thousands of two-foot deep ponds all around this country, full of happy and healthy koi. The water in a two-foot deep pond will generally only freeze eight inches down in the coldest of climates, because of the insulating qualities of the earth that surrounds the pond – Here in West Tennessee usually not at all. Another Plus – a properly designed 2’ deep pond is easy to get in and out of 😉 Most of the ponds I have designed & built for the last 30 + years are 2’ deep and doing great! We can & do go deeper if the design calls for it of course, but don’t believe everything you read online!
#4 – Koi Can’t Be Kept With Plants.
In a naturally balanced ecosystem, koi and plants complement and need one another. In nature, fish feed on plants. As a result, the fish produce waste, which is broken down by aerobic bacteria on the bottom of your pond, which, in turn, is used as fertilizer by the plants to grow and produce more natural fish food. One tip I have learned from experience- start with small Koi, they will grow up with the plants and won’t bother them at all – like in nature.
This is one of my Display Water Gardens at Carters Nursery Pond & Patio – The Aquatic Plants & Koi have been doing great here for almost 30 years!
#5 – If You Forget To Feed Your Koi They Will All Die.
Totally False! In a properly designed & stocked pond, the ecological balance will amaze you! Crystal clear water, thriving aquatic plants & a healthy eco-system are your reward! We all Love to feed our babies, but if you miss a few days they will get busy doing some “pond keeping” of their own! 😊 They will ‘Thrive’, not simply survive! The key is to “Stay in Balance”!
Having a Waterfall right outside your back door is a magical thing indeed! 😊 Ahhh, the soothing sights & sounds… BUT, when it quits running, it’s NEVER at an opportune moment! No indeed! Your either out of town, or it’s scorching HOT 🥵 and your fish are gasping for air, or it’s winter and your pond freezes solid… Your Pond Pump Never goes out at an opportune moment!
Your Waterfall serves many purposes. It’s the central focal point of the Feature, but it also aerates the pond and circulates the water, VERY important for your aquatic life. If your Pond Pump is out, ALL of this stops… | Carters Nursery, Pond & Patio | Jackson, TN
Your Pump is the heart of your Pond! When it stops running, it’s important to have a backup plan! Many people keep a small pump that can be placed in shallow water to “flash the surface” , this will help to keep oxygen in the water while you get a replacement Pond Pump to power your Waterfall.
Pond Pumps come in different shapes and sizes! It’s a great idea to have a backup pump in case of an outage! It could save your sanity and you’re Koi’s life. | Carters Nursery, Pond & Patio | Jackson, Tennessee
Many of my clients also have an aeration system in their Pond. This helps to oxygenate the water and it’s unlikely that the pump and the aeration system will fail at the same time. I recommend powering them on separate circuits in case of GFCI interruptions.
Having an Aeration System on your Pond is a great way to maintain oxygen levels for your finned friends. Plug your system into a different outlet & circuit than your pump for even more assurance. We have systems for Ponds large and small at Carters Nursery, Pond & Patio.
– Many of my clients take care of their own pumps and maintenance, which is Great! But even more simply call me to take care of their needs. I have a complete maintenance service available to help you and your Pond. Simply call 731-424-2206 for assistance. We stock most pumps and aeration systems and will get you fixed up in a jiffy!
I hope this little bit of info on pumps and ponds was helpful! Like the old man says, “Knowing is half the battle”!
Happy Pondering! 🤔
Mark Carter Carter’s Nursery, Pond & Patio 2846 Old Medina Rd. Jackson, Tn. 38305 Ph.# 731-424-2206 http://www.cartercountry.com
I post info on seasonal feeding times, temperatures, what’s best for fish health every year about this time. Sure enough it’s that time again! I had 2 calls today asking if they could start feeding their Koi again… I said, Check your Pond thermometer & “Remember the rule of 50”! 😊
“I’ve been hawking my Pond Thermometer these last few weeks! The temperature of the water has been steadily rising as the days get longer and we approach Spring. As usual, I will start the feeding season with Cool Temp Koi Food when the water temp has stabilized over 50 + degrees. The “rule of 50” I like to call it 😉
It’s about time to start feeding our Koi “Cool Temp. Fish Food” & even some fresh fruits and veggies like peas, oranges, grapefruit & softened carrots again! YES!!! I ❤️ Spring! Just remember to read the thermometer 🌡 & follow the “Rule of 50”! Carters Nursery, Pond & Patio | Jackson, TN
This is my favorite season of the year! Everything is waking up! Including my KOI! They have been VERY active lately! And literally begging for food 😊 It’s so hard to wait… But, it’s part of the process & it’s so important for our finned friends health and well being.
Keep your Koi happy and healthy as we transition into Spring. Use quality Cool Temperature Koi Food from Carters Nursery Pond & Patio | Jackson, Tennessee | I ❤️ Koi!
So, to wrap it up…
The Rule of 50 = Let the water temp stabilize for at least a week at 50+ degrees Fahrenheit before you start to feed your koi in the Spring. AND, when you do start back to feeding, use a quality, Cool Season Koi Food! And don’t over feed! Happier days are here again 😊
WHY should I come? It’s going to be a FUN filled day for the whole family! AND it’s FREE! Bring the kids to the Petting Zoo! BIG Specials for the Spring Season and “How To” Classes taught by the best in the Biz.!
It’s a bit warmer in the Koi house so they get to start eating a little earlier than Koi who live in an outdoor Pond. I know you all are ready to get back to feeding them again, but it’s not quite warm enough yet… So I though you might enjoy a glimpse of what’s to come 😊
Spring is coming quick! Are you ready?
Who’s ready to enjoy a ‘Moment of Zen’ by their pond again? 😊 | Just Remember the Rule of 50 & be ready, because Spring is Coming!
10 degree windchill this morning 🥶 Brrr! Ice Ice Baby! But, don’t worry, it will be ok… Just don’t break the ice!
Don’t break the ice! It will harm your Koi! The powerful shock waves created by a blow to the ice can break their bones and rupture organs!
NEVER, NEVER, NEVER break the ice by banging on it! It can cause your fish great harm – it can even KILL them! To allow the escape/exchange of gasses in a frozen over pond, keep a hole open in the ice. This is IMPORTANT!!! It will keep the gases from building up under the ice and allow for oxygen exchange and keep your fish from suffocating. This will also allow the pump to get water if the surface is frozen. If you have a skimmer, this will be MUCH easier on you! The water movement will help keep the ice from forming. You may need to keep the hole open by adding water from a water hose, bucket or pan of water. (This is why I always say “keep a dry hose” or a 5 gallon bucket for this purpose! If & when you use your water hose be sure to drain it when finished-to keep it from freezing and bursting, or just keep it in your garage). You can also use a floating pond heater or a small pump in a shallow area to “flash up’ and break the water surface. Just do it! 😊
It’s cold for a few days, but it will warm soon. Lets take care of our finned friends ❤️
