Yard freaks

[CTinline-six]

Originally Posted by UncleWede

Are they all traumatized by the huge floating predator that never leaves?

[Yapakanichi]

Originally Posted by UncleWede

Are they all traumatized by the huge floating predator that never leaves?

The only serious question here lol

[SakhirM4]

Originally Posted by UncleWede

Are they all traumatized by the huge floating predator that never leaves?

They were at first

[lsturbointeg]

Originally Posted by SakhirM4

Added a fake life-size swan to the pond this weekend

I would love to have a koi pond. Is it high maintenance?

[SakhirM4]

Originally Posted by lsturbointeg

I would love to have a koi pond. Is it high maintenance?

We have a guy that does our maintenance. Comes once each month for $125 per month. He does a total cleaning which entails draining the pond once each year for $1,000. Really not a problem. We have had it for 17 years and have really enjoyed it.

[lsturbointeg]

Originally Posted by SakhirM4

We have a guy that does our maintenance. Comes once each month for $125 per month. He does a total cleaning which entails draining the pond once each year for $1,000. Really not a problem. We have had it for 17 years and have really enjoyed it.

So $2500 a year total. Good to know! How big is your pond? Appreciate it! I watch alot of YouTube videos on koi fish and how they are bred in Japan. Do you know abo5hoe much you spent on them?

[SakhirM4]

Originally Posted by lsturbointeg

So $2500 a year total. Good to know! How big is your pond? Appreciate it! I watch alot of YouTube videos on koi fish and how they are bred in Japan. Do you know abo5hoe much you spent on them?

Our pond is 4,500 gallons. It is 3 feet deep and approximately 15 feet by 18 feet.

Some of our Koi were $80-$100, while others were free rescue fish. Our original comets were about $30 each, but all of the comets that we currently have were born in our pond. We have about a dozen that were born this year.

Our biggest Koi are about 4-5 years old and are about 24" long. The smallest Koi are about 12" long, but started out about 6" a little over a year ago.

[lsturbointeg]

Originally Posted by SakhirM4

Our pond is 4,500 gallons. It is 3 feet deep and approximately 15 feet by 18 feet.

Some of our Koi were $80-$100, while others were free rescue fish. Our original comets were about $30 each, but all of the comets that we currently have were born in our pond. We have about a dozen that were born this year.

Our biggest Koi are about 4-5 years old and are about 24" long. The smallest Koi are about 12" long, but started out about 6" a little over a year ago.

Nice! that's a pretty big pond. i'm here in OH so it snows but I've heard people still get ponds done. i'll have to look into it and see how it works for us in the Midwest. I think a pond would complete the look of my backyard but hopefully it's not too much work

[SakhirM4]

Originally Posted by lsturbointeg

Nice! that's a pretty big pond. i'm here in OH so it snows but I've heard people still get ponds done. i'll have to look into it and see how it works for us in the Midwest. I think a pond would complete the look of my backyard but hopefully it's not too much work

I hope you are able to do it. It is very enjoyable and the sound of the waterfall is really relaxing. Don't worry about winter - we have had the pond frozen over and the fish do fine.

[m630]

Originally Posted by lsturbointeg

So $2500 a year total. Good to know! How big is your pond? Appreciate it! I watch alot of YouTube videos on koi fish and how they are bred in Japan. Do you know abo5hoe much you spent on them?

Great topic....As someone that enjoys the hobby for more than 25 years Ill say that once you learn, there is minimal maintenance expense. I spend nothing on external maintenance and do all cleaning myself. Koi are special, and cost is wildly different based on the breeder and type. If you are considering getting into the hobby just understand that if they are breed in the US, they are not considered koi even if the parent fish are born in Japan. I say this as it has a significant impact on price, quality, and longevity, in general. While you can find tosai (1 year old) under $100, most desirable koi will cost more and then it all depends on your budget.

Just be warned, it becomes a passion quickly!
Koi are cold weather fish and do go into a sort of hibernation if you will, once the water temp gets cold until spring. After superstorm sandy wiped me out I had to begin yet again so I have koi from 2-7 years old. Ill post pix tonite.

[m630]

Originally Posted by SakhirM4

Our pond is 4,500 gallons. It is 3 feet deep and approximately 15 feet by 18 feet.

Some of our Koi were $80-$100, while others were free rescue fish. Our original comets were about $30 each, but all of the comets that we currently have were born in our pond. We have about a dozen that were born this year.

Our biggest Koi are about 4-5 years old and are about 24" long. The smallest Koi are about 12" long, but started out about 6" a little over a year ago.

Nice looking pond!

[SakhirM4]

Originally Posted by m630

Nice looking pond!

Thank you - even if we do have cheap replica Koi

[RickFLM4]

Originally Posted by m630

Great topic....As someone that enjoys the hobby for more than 25 years Ill say that once you learn, there is minimal maintenance expense. I spend nothing on external maintenance and do all cleaning myself. Koi are special, and cost is wildly different based on the breeder and type. If you are considering getting into the hobby just understand that if they are breed in the US, they are not considered koi even if the parent fish are born in Japan. I say this as it has a significant impact on price, quality, and longevity, in general. While you can find tosai (1 year old) under $100, most desirable koi will cost more and then it all depends on your budget.

Just be warned, it becomes a passion quickly!
Koi are cold weather fish and do go into a sort of hibernation if you will, once the water temp gets cold until spring. After superstorm sandy wiped me out I had to begin yet again so I have koi from 2-7 years old. Ill post pix tonite.

Sounds like Wagyu vs. Kobe beef.

[roastbeef]

This is sort of yardish... eley rolling hose reel and continental 50 ft hose. It is going to be outfitted with quick connects so I can wheel it to the front or back yards easily as needed. This replaces a shitty plastic stationary reel and some shitty kinky crusty green hose. These hose reels are built to last. Great stuff.

[roastbeef]

Also, I'm taking the leaves under the avocado tree, not seeing a single avocado... and this thing falls and almost takes me out.

[RickFLM4]

Originally Posted by roastbeef

This is sort of yardish... eley rolling hose reel and continental 50 ft hose. It is going to be outfitted with quick connects so I can wheel it to the front or back yards easily as needed. This replaces a shitty plastic stationary reel and some shitty kinky crusty green hose. These hose reels are built to last. Great stuff.

Those reels work really well. I had one for a number of years. One thing to keep an eye on is rust in the middle of reel (which you can't see when hose is entirely / partly reeled up). Even if there is no leak at the connection a wet hose reeled up can contain moisture. It never occurred to me that it may rust even though it was metal, as I assumed the paint / coating would protect it. By the time I noticed it was pretty far along and I just used it for as long as I could.

[UncleWede]

Originally Posted by roastbeef

This is sort of yardish... eley rolling hose reel and continental 50 ft hose. It is going to be outfitted with quick connects so I can wheel it to the front or back yards easily as needed. This replaces a shitty plastic stationary reel and some shitty kinky crusty green hose. These hose reels are built to last. Great stuff.

Do you STILL have to rest your forehead on the handle while stepping on the base to be able to roll the hose up if it isn't perfectly aligned with the spool???? Oh, and I typically have 75-100' on them. My plastics are now all weighted, on both sides, with 18" cinder block so I can reel them back up

[m630]

Originally Posted by SakhirM4

Thank you - even if we do have cheap replica Koi

Lmaooo!!!!!!!!

[m630]

Originally Posted by RickFLM4

Sounds like Wagyu vs. Kobe beef.

Even crazier, Koi are considered sacred in Japan, and rightly so...they give joy and happiness to those that take the time to grow them. They are passed down from generations and if cared for, will outlive a human life! On average koi bred in the US can live an average of 25 years if taken care of, while a koi bred in Japan lives an average of 65 years!

While average tosai koi start in $100- $1,000 range depending on breeder and type, after several years of growth they sell from several thousands of dollars to 100K or more. Seriously. If you were to grow and win a breeder competition in Japan, a single fish could make you quite wealthy just selling its spawn so to speak. Its a serious business for sure!
I just happen to enjoy their beauty and have spent much of my life trying(and often failing) in providing a peaceful habitat for mine in return.

[roastbeef]

Just mowed and cracked a beer. This is what it's all about friends. Hose reel works great, by the way.

[ShopVac]

Want to state that I hate yard work with a passion. I believe I'd rather clear a clogged septic tank with my bare hands before pulling a weed.

If it were me...I'd go 100% forest and ditch the lawn mower.

But I don't have that option. Mrs Bread-Winner likes this shit and apparently had her mind made up on 15 yards of this hell bark.

My back is fucking shot and I still have 6 yards to go

[ShopVac]

Originally Posted by roastbeef

Just mowed and cracked a beer. This is what it's all about friends. Hose reel works great, by the way.

And if we're showing our shepherds in the green grass...then I'll join in.

(Nice puppy BTW)