V42 24/10/09 Triple Pond Hop

[jakoi945]

the pond in the middle of the video was in koi nations.

[hooinc]

Yup! As well as Niigata Nishikigoi, Mark Gardner's blog.

[unclePTM]

another silly question, the foamy pond, is that indicative that a protein skimmer can be of help?

[hooinc]

I believe it depends on the type of foam. Very fine bubbles indicate a high DOC level where a protein skimmer might come in useful. Bigger bubbles, as in the case of Shukri's pond, coupled with some colouration in the water, may be more indicative of high nitrate and phosphates levels.

[unclePTM]

ahhh, always a treat. do you keep salt at a certain level in your and your friends' ponds?

[hooinc]

For my own pond now, I'm maintaining salinity at 0.1-0.15% because it's a start up situation. Salt acts as a buffer to protect the koi against ammonia and nitrite spikes. Once the ammonia and nitrite levels have stabilised at non-detectable levels, I will no longer maintain any salinity in my pond. Koi can develop immunity against salt, so it's best to leave salt for when it is really needed. Not sure what my friends are doing, but I suspect it's the same.

[unclePTM]

thank you and i will keep that in mind. it has been confusing because i have read so many different takes on that. the more one reads, the more one is lost, haha.

[hooinc]

Very true! I always say 10 koi keepers will tell you 11 different approaches! ;-) Hope I didn't just add the 12th!

[chengaun]

Ive Heard That Elmen Tan uses a Homemade bakki shower? correct??? I Heard from the website Niigata Koi

[hooinc]

Yup, made of plastic crates and I believe using Ogata Crystal Bio in them instead of Bacteria House.

[chengaun]

How did Daniel Lee Make His diy shower???

and what media does he use???? thanks :D

[hooinc]

Hi CA, Daniel has informed me that he uses Bacteria Home (similar to but not exactly the same as Bacteria House) and bio balls in his bakki shower which is made from blue plastic crates.