Life's suckin' like a hoover here, too

[Will]

I have not even mentioned my issues on here, as I struggled to accept them. I lost 5 koi and 2 large goldfish with the pond icing I recently endured.

I had filled my leaf basket enclosure with closed cell foam sheets to provide insulation from the cold, so I wouldn't chance freezing my pump in the middle of the night. I hadn't had many leaves or debris collecting there for weeks, so figured I'd be all right for a couple of days while it was frozen up anyway.

To increase the draw from my skimmer's 2" pipe, I have (as a temporary solution) restricted the flow from my 4" bottom drain via gate valve. Well, with the freezing, the skimmer had frozen up, so I fully opened the BD while the ice was over the pond, not really thinking of the sudden increase of suction at the bottom of the pond.

As it thawed, I removed the insulation from my pump's tote, to see fish mouths visible in my leaf basket. I immediately opened it, to find 2 live frogs and 6 dead fish. 1 was still alive, but just barely. Given a day to recover, he or she didn't at all, and I opted for euthanization.

This was all of the newer koi that I had purchased at the recent show in Greenville, plus some. Yes, I'm rather pissed, but at who? I'm the only idiot around to point at!

Hopefully, someone can learn not to be such a friggin idiot from my unfortunate experience. Hi ho, hi ho, off to work I go. I'm starting to feel like a one legged man in a butt kicking contest.

[Coach]

Sorry to hear about your bad luck. I think the winner of a one legged butt kicking contest doesn't see themselves at a disadvantage and throws everything that got into the contest to be a winner. IF I had a dime everytime in the last 3 decades that I wanted to just give up and walk away, I could buy us both a very nice meal at a very good restaurant.

So don't give in to frustration or desparation, get mad and use it as a motivator to learn something from this incident that will help you in the future
to prepare and handle something similar. Unfortunately this will not be your last challenge, you can bank on that!. But if you adopt a fight back attitude, and never give up, you'll make it. It's a tuff way to learn granted, But....you are learning (even if it's at a greater cost then you would like). That way you can get back to your handle....as a man who is at peace

[koikeepr]

Well, Sheesh Will!

The winter is hard for us pond keepers. I think many of us are still struggling with what to do to keep our fish safe and we over compensate in many ways.

I've kept my filters running this year for the first time, but previously I've just turned every dang thing off and just let the fish be. And they've always been totally, perfectly fine.

With my new opaque pool cover I can't see a dang thing inside the pond...it will all be a surprise this spring indeed. Oi!

Sorry to hear about your situation.

[Will]

I'd turn it all off, but vanity and advertisement get the better of me. My pond looks pretty good, and it is right in my front yard. Extremely visible. It looks a lot better with my waterfalls running, and that gets me interested passersby, who might just need some landscaping. So, mine has to look good, too, in addition to being good.

Coach, I appreciate the kind encouragement. Honestly, though, you've likely not met anyone as implacable as I, and when I decide to do something, I succeed. There are no other options. Yes, I will learn from this, and choose to see it as an opportunity to advance my knowledge and koi quality. After I successfully complete my experimental QT, that is. I do pity the fish suffering that must have occurred, my consolation is that they were so cold as to be very dormant, and likely only marginally aware of their rapidly advanced doom. C'est la vie, eh?

[Meganne]

'tis a hobby which keeps us humble that is for sure

[NewToKoi]

So sorry to hear about your loss Will.
From your words, I know you will not give up and will strive harder to not let this happen again. I know it is heartbreaking but keep on doing what you do.

I'm saying this with my experince on losing all the fish I had. I am trying to get better as well...

[Kntry]

The koi hobby is a very long journey with a steep learning curve. Unfortunately, the fish suffer and/or die at times. As long as you learn from the experience, the fish in your care will be better for it.

We've all been discussed and wanted to quit but think about the beauty and peace they bring you most of the time. It's all worth it!

[koikeepr]

right, we've all lost fish for one transgression, accident or just plain ol' not knowing. It always sucks for sure.

[Ponderer]

Don't be too hard on yourself Will, many very experienced ponders lose some fish. I know how hard you have studied even before you broke ground, we all have our moments.
This novice is looking forward to benefit from your knowledge, so hang in there.

[Lilylady]

As long as you gain knowledge, you will progress. Sometimes it hurts, I have been there too. Good luck to you.

[Will]

Thanks to all for your kind words. I'll just rely on my general indomitable nature to overcome this. I don't really blame myself, just admit that I'm the only one who has worked on this project, so all failures (and successes) are mine alone. Thanks to this site, my knowledge has greatly increased in a short time, to think, a year ago all I had was a muddy hole in the ground and a dream. As they say, suffer well. With that, let's let this thread die.

[Peppy]

Just getting back from my PC vacation during the holiday and I'm so sorry to hear about your fish loss, Will.

[Will]

Thanks, Peppy. I had to take a couple of days off of here, to kind of deal with it. Now, I shall work to do this pond thing better.

[Peppy]

It's a journey.

[Luvmypond]

So sorry Will. Things will turn around for you ... it just takes time.

[Will]

Time covers all with healing salve of forgetfulness. Just can't let entropy work too much against you.