*** Quoting Don Rehs from a message to Carol Shenkenberger ***
DR> When the temperature drops below 65  Degrees I switch food and 
DR> eventually stop feeding them as they go into  hybernation for the 
DR> winter. I just run a Pump that keeps the surface from  completely 
DR> freezing over. This is to allow release of gases that  might get 
DR> trapped that could harm or kill the fish. As you know Winters here  
DR> in Lower Michigan get pretty cold with snow and all. Last year was 
DR> the first  year that i had the pond. I am happy to say that I only 
DR> lost 1 fish over the  winter. I still do not know why??? If You 
DR> decide to build a pond go forit! If not I would be more than happy to 
DR>  adopt your Koi.
Good info and thanks!  Might ship the heafty fellow before building a pond as 
it is.  Yard just too popular for the kids!  Might manage it though as my 
husbabd and I are thinking of how much the kids in the neightborhood will 
like a live yard 'fishtank'.
2 of the local kids now have fish tanks and have been looking at ours for 
easy care ideas.  One of the parents is here now, looking over how we stocked 
ours with fish that dont cost and arm-and-a-leg to buy.  Looks like they will 
try pretty looking guppies and the other family has bought cheap simple 
goldfish and is looking to a livingroom tank of angelfish and neon tetras.
                                       xxcarol
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