I started with a 35 gal preform. I have since added a 90 gal, 160 gal and 750 gal stocktank, all above ground. I haven't a clue...but...last year when I was starting up a new stocktank and had to add my fish before the new water cycled, I was told that the good bacteria live on the pots and soil of my lilys. Everything worked out for me. IMHO...which isn't worth much...I'd go ahead and do at least a large water change since the fish are still indoors and let everything start doing whatever it does before you have to move the fish back outside.

I went through a similar experience after purchasing goldfish from and on line vendor but they were being held in quarantine in a 400 gallon pond when they started displaying nearly the same symptoms and resulting death. I determined that my fish were suffering from some unknown parasite. I used Proform C which is a broad spectrum malachite green & formalin treatment which will eliminate nearly all parasites that afflict goldfish or Koi. Read the directions carefully and treat your whole pond three times doing water changes between treatments. Worked wonders for me and came very highly recommended at that time. I tried salt myself and they still kept dieing since salt is only effective for a few parasites why waste your time. Once treated as prescribed you will not need to drain the pond since all parasites should be eliminated. It is important to have a fairly accurate knowledge of the volume of your pond. One quart will be enough with plenty to spare. Let us know how it all is resolved. I was so happy that I quarantined these fish and not released them into my main pond of 8000 gallons with many other fish until I determined they were healthy and free of parasites.

Mo, They should be able to tell you what they shut off without charging you, if they want your business again next year. If you have to, tell them that. Let's look at the worst case scenario. The guy that winterized your system moved to warmer climates is no longer available. If your house has water there is a valve that they turned off before your irrigation main shut-off or backflow preventer. I would think they would have asked you where to turn off the water before doing so. Describe your water line as you trace the irrigation main back to your house and then inside. Is your system coming off an outdoor faucet? Is the faucet turned on? Is your system coming off the main house line with a tee before the main water line goes into the house? There is usually another main gate valve or ball valve that is close to that tee connection point in a valve box. Aloha

Wiht potted plants, it may be slightly more difficult to tell what is the problem because you are not seeing how the landlord is taking care of them. So, go to the basics: * location and sunlight are adequate based on your description * Winter protection requires knowing what variety the camellia is and whether it can withstand winters in your zone * Potted plants tend to loose moisture more easily than plants in the ground so they require watering more often. You can manually check by inserting a finger into the ground and seeing if the potting medium feels almost dry or dry. If it does then water. If it feels wet, stop watering as often since too much water causes root rot. When a camellia gets root rot, it behaves just like when it does not get enough water. * add some liquid seaweed, fish emulsion and liquid iron chelated products that add minerals normally not supplied by most fertilizers. * Potted plants may need fertilizer applied more often if the potting medium is sterile so you or the landlord need to research this. Some people apply liquid fertilizer after watering; make sure it is good for acidic plants since you want the pH to be acidic and most potting medium are not acidic. Do not add garden soil. * Even though they are in a pot, you should still mulch as this minimizes water evaporation due to windy conditions and heat. * Potted plants need to moved to bigger pots every ow and then. Their roots need to be pruned also. * Consider winter protection if the weather is unusually cold. If they are small enough and do not weigh much then you could bring them inside during the worst of the winter. The plants should go dormant in the Fall but continue watering if the temperatures are above freezing.