Hi, am probably one of the youngest Koi enthusiasts on this site, ive been keeping koi for over 16 years, now after having 3 rebuilds of the years, I now have a 4000 Gal setup, incorporating a convential Oase AquaMax twin inlet pump setup running through 3 Modified Yamitsu Maxi Box's and a 30w UV, I made my pool on somewhat of a budget but after 3 years off been built I have had only 2 fatalities out of 60 odd Koi, both lost in the last harsh winter.

I have learnt over the years that the key to keeping and growing sucessful Koi is maintaining the best water quality, feeding my koi good food especially little treats now and again like oranges and prawns, also feeding intervals and volume of food is critcial.

With a Convential pump setup like mine I have to remove solid waste often using a pond vac and also add 20% extra free water weekly in peak periods to keep Nitrate down as I find Nitrate not Nitrite Encourage mass Blanket weed problems, I have 2 Large Sterlets that scavenge it but the debris clogs the pumps in sunny warm periods.

For Filtration I have found Alfagrog a good media as it has a high surface area and is good for mechanical extraction of sediments and solids, I also have multi-layer sponges with a colony of earthworms, a box full of plastic coils and spindal brushs, aswell as a UV, I have also added a Vegetable Filter which is very effective and fun, this filter works seperatly to pump setup, instead it built into the wall of the pond surrounding 2 sides off the pond between Granite Boulders, I have watercress mainly but also some small pond grass, the granite boulders are coverered underneath and behind in de-nitrifying bacteria. In peak periods where toxin levels are incresed to a dangerous limit I introduce massive amounts of Oxygenating plants and also add both off my Air pumps, as well as fasting my Fish, this is the best method in my opinion, ive used amononia and nitrite solutions but with little or no effect. I am planning on upgrading my Filter setup this year using new ideas I have researched to make my system more effective

Anyways stockwise, I have in my opinion a very good selection of Koi, mostly Isreali, I do have a number of Japanese and Malaysian Koi too, My main pride is 28" Orange Hawiwake, then a 20" Red Hawiwake, a 18" Sanke, 18" Ogon, 18" Ghost Koi, 16" Chagoi, 16" Utsuri, 16" Kohaku, 2 18" Sterlets then I have roughly about 8 rapidly growing Ghosties varying from 8" to 12", then a good large stock of roughly 10ish Koi Varying from 8" to 12", then I have 9 4 year old goldfish breed in my last setup which still hav'nt turned red yet, 2 Comets, then finally which I added only last week 5 3" Japanese Koi.

My Favourite 3 are as follows: Firstly my 28" Monster, Secondly my Chagoi cos its growing rapidly and its tamed my fish all into hand feeding and Thirdly mt Old Faithful Ghosty which was the First ever Koi I bought when I was 8 year old, its hard as hell, its survived just about everything, lol and lived in all the past 4 ponds ive had.

Even after keeping Koi all these years, I am still learning now, Keeping Koi has been my favourite hobby and a major part of the garden since which I am extremely proud off. It has provided my much joy and relaxsation from daily stress's. I keep my hobby to myself mainly cos other people don't understand the interest like we do, lol. In the meantime, I am looking forward to attending this years ZNA 11th Koi show near Rotherham in July and also reading people's profiles and chat topics.

Thanks for reading

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