SAVING Rare Koi From Freezing Ice Water

George Mavrakis
4 Feb 202409:38
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRIn this engaging video, the host faces a winter crisis with his 1,500-gallon outdoor Koi pond in Chicago. As temperatures plummet, he devises a plan to protect his precious Japanese koi fish from the harsh cold. The solution involves setting up a massive 20x6 tent around the pond and using a heater to maintain water temperature, inspired by a German koi keeper's method. With the help of friends, they assemble the tent, ensuring it has clear windows for natural sunlight, which is vital for the koi's health and color vibrancy. After realizing the initial heater is insufficient, they switch to a more energy-efficient aquarium heater. The video concludes with the koi comfortably swimming in 50°F water, as the setup withstands the extreme cold and wind, showcasing a successful winterization strategy.

Takeaways
  • 🐟 The koi fish in the pond are at risk of freezing if the pond surface freezes over, as they require oxygen to survive.
  • 🌡️ Koi ponds need to be at least 4 feet deep to ensure the fish can live under the ice during winter, but the speaker's pond is only 3.5 feet deep.
  • 🌍 Koi prefer to hibernate in the deepest parts of bodies of water to take advantage of geothermal heat.
  • 🌨️ Chicago's harsh winters can lead to ice forming all the way to the bottom of the pond, which is a threat to the koi's survival.
  • 💡 The speaker plans to use a large tent and an outdoor heater to maintain warmth around the pond, inspired by a koi keeper in Germany.
  • 👥 Assistance from friends Sam, Ben, and Yanni is enlisted to help set up the tent and heater around the pond.
  • 🏕️ A 20x6 tent is erected around the pond with clear windows and sides that can roll up to allow natural sunlight.
  • 🔧 The tent setup faced challenges due to uneven ground, requiring leveling and sandbags to secure it against the wind.
  • 🌞 Natural sunlight is important for koi as it benefits their health and enhances the color of their scales.
  • 🔥 An initial attempt to heat the area with a large outdoor heater proved insufficient, leading to the decision to heat the water directly using aquarium heaters.
  • ❄️ Despite freezing temperatures and snow, the koi remain active and the water temperature in the pond is maintained at a comfortable 45-50° for the fish.
Q & A

  • What is the main issue with the koi pond in Chicago during winter?

    -The main issue is that the koi pond is at risk of freezing over completely, which could lead to the death of the koi fish due to lack of oxygen and extreme cold.

  • What is the minimum depth required for koi to survive under the ice during winter?

    -The minimum depth required for koi to survive under the ice is at least 4 feet, but the pond in the script is only 3 feet and 3.5 inches deep.

  • What do koi fish do during the winter months to conserve energy?

    -Koi fish slow down their metabolism and begin hibernation, remaining completely motionless to conserve their energy.

  • What is the plan to prevent the koi pond from freezing over completely?

    -The plan involves setting up a large tent around the pond and using an outdoor heater to maintain the temperature, similar to a greenhouse effect.

  • Who inspired the idea of using a tent and heater to protect the koi fish during winter?

    -The idea was inspired by a koi keeper named Alex Essel from Germany, who uses a similar method to keep his koi warm during winter.

  • What is the size of the tent that was set up around the koi pond?

    -The tent is a 20x6 tent, providing enough space around the perimeter of the pond with extra room for chairs.

  • Why did the owner of the koi pond decide not to move the koi to an indoor pond?

    -The owner has plans to turn the indoor pond into an Amazonian tank with more monster fish and wanted to find a solution for the koi to live outside.

  • What is the main concern with the initial outdoor heater used in the pond?

    -The initial outdoor heater was not sufficient to heat the large space and was not cost or energy efficient.

  • What alternative did the owner use to heat the water in the pond?

    -The owner used a 1500-watt aquarium heater with temperature probes to monitor the water temperature and additional airators for oxygen.

  • What is the expected low temperature for the week after setting up the tent and heater?

    -The expected low temperature for the week is -10° for four straight days.

  • How did the owner ensure that the koi fish get natural sunlight during the winter?

    -The tent has clear windows and sides that roll up, allowing natural sunlight to reach the koi, which is beneficial for their health and color vibrancy.

Outlines
00:00
🐟 Winterizing the Koi Pond in Chicago

The video script details the urgent measures taken by the narrator to protect their 1,500-gallon outdoor Koi pond from freezing during the harsh Chicago winter. The narrator describes the pond's depth and the risk it poses to the koi fish, which could die if the water freezes completely. To prevent this, they plan to set up a large 20x6 tent around the pond to act as a greenhouse, retaining warmth and protecting the fish. The narrator also mentions the idea of using an outdoor heater to increase the temperature inside the tent, inspired by a koi keeper in Germany. The script includes a call to action for viewers to help build a bigger outdoor pond next summer and ends with the narrator and friends beginning the process of assembling the tent and preparing the site.

05:00
🛠️ Setting Up the Protective Tent and Heater

In the second paragraph, the narrator and their friends continue the process of winterizing the Koi pond by setting up a large tent with clear windows and roll-up sides to allow natural sunlight to reach the koi. They encounter challenges with the uneven ground and use sandbags to secure the tent against the windy Chicago conditions. After setting up the tent, they test its durability against the wind. The narrator then discusses the initial failure of a space heater to warm the pond effectively and the decision to switch to a more efficient 1500-watt aquarium heater to heat the water directly. Additional equipment like airators and a pond deicer are installed to ensure oxygen supply and prevent the water surface from freezing. Despite concerns about extreme cold temperatures, the setup appears to be successful as the koi remain active, and the water temperature stays above freezing, even as snow begins to fall.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Koi fish
Koi fish are a type of ornamental fish that are highly valued for their beauty and the vibrant colors of their scales. They are a central theme in the video as the owner is concerned about their survival during the harsh Chicago winter. The owner's affection for the Koi fish is evident as he refers to them as 'beautiful' and is determined to ensure they 'won't live to see another summer day'.
💡Hibernation
Hibernation is a state of inactivity and metabolic depression in animals during winter. In the context of the video, Koi fish are shown to enter a period of hibernation when the water temperature drops to around 30 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit. They remain motionless to conserve energy, which is a critical survival strategy for aquatic species during cold months.
💡Geothermal heat
Geothermal heat refers to the natural heat of the Earth. In the video, it is mentioned that fish prefer to hibernate in the deepest parts of bodies of water to maximize their warmth, getting closer to the Earth's surface which provides free geothermal heat. This concept is important as it shows the natural mechanisms that help aquatic life survive in cold climates.
💡Tent
A tent is a portable shelter made of fabric or other materials stretched over a supporting framework. In the video, the owner plans to set up a massive tent around the Koi pond to serve as a barrier against the cold wind and to retain warmth, functioning similarly to a greenhouse. This is a key part of the owner's strategy to protect the Koi fish during winter.
💡Outdoor heater
An outdoor heater is a device designed to provide warmth in an open or unenclosed space. The video discusses the use of an outdoor heater to increase the temperature inside the tent surrounding the Koi pond. Initially, the owner finds that the heater is not sufficient for the large space and later decides to focus on heating the water directly for better efficiency.
💡Aquarium heater
An aquarium heater is a device used to maintain a stable water temperature in an aquarium or pond. In the video, the owner opts for a 1500-watt aquarium heater to heat the water in the Koi pond. This decision is influenced by the high cost and energy consumption of inline Koi pond heaters, making the aquarium heater a more cost-effective solution.
💡Aerators
Aerators are devices that introduce air into the water to increase its oxygen content. The video mentions adding extra aerators to the pond to provide plenty of oxygen, which is essential for the Koi fish's survival, especially when the pond's surface is covered by ice, limiting natural oxygen exchange.
💡Pond deicer
A pond deicer is a device that prevents the surface of a pond from freezing over, ensuring an open area for oxygen and gas exchange. The owner uses a pond deicer to keep a part of the surface open, which is crucial for the Koi fish to access oxygen even when the rest of the pond is covered in ice.
💡Temperature probes
Temperature probes are instruments used to measure the temperature of a substance, such as water. In the video, the owner uses temperature probes that came with the aquarium heaters to monitor the water temperature in the Koi pond, ensuring it remains at a level that is safe for the fish.
💡Chicago winter
The Chicago winter refers to the cold and potentially harsh weather conditions experienced in Chicago during the winter months. The video emphasizes the severity of the Chicago winter as a reason for the owner's concern for the Koi fish's survival. The owner's efforts to protect the fish highlight the challenges of maintaining an outdoor pond in such a climate.
💡Natural sunlight
Natural sunlight is the light that comes from the sun and is essential for the health and well-being of many living organisms, including Koi fish. The video mentions that the Koi fish benefit from natural sunlight, which not only promotes their health but also enhances the brightness and vibrancy of their scales. The clear windows and roll-up sides of the tent allow sunlight to reach the fish even during the winter.
Highlights

The koi pond in Chicago is facing freezing temperatures, putting the koi fish at risk.

The pond is 1,500 gallons with beautiful Japanese koi, some of which were recently purchased to grow.

Koi fish hibernate during winter months, living under ice as long as there's oxygen and the water doesn't freeze completely.

The pond is not deep enough for the koi to safely hibernate, as it's only 3 feet 3 and 1/2 inches deep.

Koi begin to hibernate when temperatures drop to 30-20°F, gathering in one group and remaining motionless to conserve energy.

Aquatic species, including crocodiles, hibernate under ice but must not be disturbed, as it can cause shock and death.

Fish prefer to hibernate in the deepest parts of bodies of water to maximize warmth from geothermal heat.

The plan to protect the koi involves setting up a massive 20x6 tent around the pond to retain warmth like a greenhouse.

An outdoor heater will be used in addition to the tent to increase the temperature and prevent the pond from freezing.

The idea for the heating solution was inspired by a koi keeper in Germany, Alex Essel.

Friends Sam, Ben, and Yanni are enlisted to help with the winterization process.

The ground around the pond is cleared and leveled to prepare for the tent setup.

An indoor koi pond is planned to be transformed into an Amazonian tank, so an outdoor solution is needed for the koi.

A bigger outdoor pond is hoped to be built next summer with the help of pond experts Greg Wittock and Ed the Pond Professor.

The tent setup presents challenges due to an uneven ground and the need for proper support poles.

The tent has clear windows and roll-up sides to allow natural sunlight to benefit the koi's health and color.

An initial attempt with a large outdoor heater proved insufficient for heating the large space.

A more efficient solution involved using a 1500-watt aquarium heater focused on heating the water.

Additional airators and a pond deicer were added to ensure oxygen supply and prevent the surface from freezing.

Despite temperatures dropping to -10°F, the koi pond's water temperature remained at a comfortable 45°F for the fish.

The koi were observed to be active and healthy, with steam rising from the warm water even amidst the snow.

Transcripts

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Related Tags
Koi PondWinterizingChicagoFish CareOutdoorHibernationGeothermal HeatAquatic LifePond HeaterTent Setup