It's been a long time since I visited with y'all. My pond is now 3 years old and my koi are getting bigger some are almost 2' to 2.5' long and of course they are very active.
I know they are going to be spawning very soon and I can't find any spawning mats, they are all sold out in the speciality koi stores and the PETSMART PETCO don't know what they are. I was researching and found out that I could use string mop heads in place so I got several from Wal-mart. Now, the question is where do you put it.
Do I submerge the entire mop under water (shallow area) some say to hang it along the wall of the pond. Any advice would help.
Thanks
Sesco

I would put it on the bottom..simulating where the matts would go. My goldfish spawn in the plants so no expert here, sorry. :( stupid question: you plan on trimming the mops...aren't they pretty long?

My fish seem to do more of their spawning maneuvers at the top half of the pond.

I tried to put them on the bottom but they float so I tied a rock to it and now they look like seaweeds, the the mops I purchased are only 12" long and the swallowest section of the pond is 18" so the water covers the mop by 6" - I hope this works. It will be interesting!!!!

Koi spawn in the shallows on soft plants mostly. Or, that would be ideal. When my goldfish spawn, the only plants up are iris, and they tear them up and themselves too.

I suggest putting the mops near the surface. I bought a spawning thingy but my goldfish never used it (ok, maybe once). I stopped putting it in years ago.

The weather has changed dramatically (50f's) and they have stopped their dance.
I am hoping that they will start again so that I can see if the mops work. I will float a couple of them and let the rest be seaweeds. I am a first time parent and I am really curious to see the results.