Also serving the communities of De Luz, Rainbow, Camp Pendleton, Pala and Pauma
Also serving the communities of De Luz, Rainbow, Camp Pendleton, Pala and Pauma
A Koi fish looks for more food; they eat more in warm weather than in cold weather because they are cold-blooded.
An overhead tree is reflected in the pond as Koi fish swim below it.
The waterfall helps to put oxygen into the water which helps keep the fish in the pond healthy
A variety of plants and trees grow around the Koi pond at the Ritters' house.
Lily pads provide shelter for fish and shade to keep the water cool. They also produce oxygen which is good for the fish.
Other fish live in the pond besides the Koi fish.
The Koi fish stir up the water while competing for food floating on the surface of the pond.
There are more than 100 kinds of Koi fish that are a variety of colors.
The Fallbrook area is full of homes that are tucked away in hidden valleys where their occupants enjoy peace and quiet. Some homes, however, are close to major roads, but their owners find a way to create their own piece of paradise.
The Ritter home off of East Mission Road is one such place. Ron and Judy Ritter moved there in 1985 and, while traffic can be heard from in front of the house, the backyard is quiet and peaceful, in large part due to their lily pond which is home to koi fish.
They had the pond built in 2003 in the spot where their four children originally played volleyball. When asked why they put in a koi pond, Ron Ritter replied that after their son Steven was killed in a car accident in 1987, they had no need for the volleyball court. A retired Navy Chaplain and Lutheran Pastor, Ritter has specialized in the ministry of bereavement.
When considering the possibilities for their backyard, Ritter said,"Somehow the subject of a pond came up." At that time, there was a koi farm on Gird Road, owned by Takemi Adachi. He had taken over the farm from his father who started it in 1974.
The farm was closed in December 2014, but one of the employees is still taking care of the Ritter koi pond. Francisco Torres stops by twice a month to do maintenance for it.
The pond is fed water from a man made well on the property. Ritter pointed out the locations of two water pumps that recycle the pond water. The water is also aerated by two waterfalls, which can be turned on and off, at the east end of the pond. Recently installed solar panels on their new roof also provide the energy to run the pumps.
While there have been as many as 11 koi fish in the pond, there are only six living there now. Ritter said he has lost a few fish over the years to egrets and herons. He has seen the big birds "snap them out of the water, sending them to koi heaven" as the birds kill the fish which are too big for them to eat. Ritter buried the fish under his fruit trees as they are supposed to be good fertilizer.
While he said he doesn't know a lot about koi, Ritter did explain that they need less food in cold weather than they need when the weather is hot because they are cold-blooded. He feeds them every morning.
There are many lily pads in the pond that along with the water and fish create a balance of nature. There are also small black mosquito fish which eat mosquito larvae. Little dark orange fish can be seen swimming in the pond, but they are a mystery to Ritter. He doesn't know where they come from or where they go, but they add to the magic of the pond.
Tall trees provide shade while the waterfalls add their calming sound and the sun glints off the surface of the water, making the pond a relaxing place to spend time at, away from the hustle and bustle of life.
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