Pond is better this morning

Things are getting back to normal.  I aerated heavily overnight and most fish are now below the surface and schooling.  Some still might have some bacterial infections.  Bifurin plus is standing by in case I need to treat immediately. The fish really need to remain in the Prazi for at least 4 days and show no sign of respiratory stress to eradicate the Flukes and be fit for antibacterial treatments.

Fluke Infestation

One of my fish died as a result of flukes and a bacterial infection.  I scraped two of its wounds and its gills and examined under the microscope.  Definitely body flukes.  Unfortunately the one that dies is ALWAYS the most prized one, my Sakai Kohaku this time.

I drove out to Blue Ribbon Koi and picked up some Prazi Plus.  Then did water change and backflushed my filter.  I them added the meds. Something went wrong and the O2 level dropped.  One Kujaku had to be removed and put in another pool that had more oxygen.  The rest I am babysitting to make sure they make it through the night.

Meanwhile the air pump is cranked up and I'm hoping for the best.

My Goshiki

This is a female Goshiki bred at Ogata Koi Farm in Japan. She is about 10-12" long and looks like it will become a very large fish. It's still pretty young (2 years?) and the "dirty" orange hi is normal for a young Goshiki. After 4 years old the orange will overtake the black and the result should be a vivid orange pattern on a fish net type background. The fishnet background is caused by the trailing edge of EVERY scale being black. As the fish ages more of the black edged scales will develop along the lower sides. Take a look at the Goshiki that won Grand Champion in my previous post about the 2010 ZNA Potomac Koi Show. That one is a mature Goshiki and is striking!


I like how the orange will wrap to the left and back to the right by the fins


Very nice three step pattern waiting to develope.



A closer look at the rear left side of the fish.

Here is my hand for size comparison. Maybe I should throw a ruler in next time.

2010 ZNA Potomac Koi Show

Last weekend I attended the ZNA Koi Show in Vienna, VA. If you didn't get to see the show this year you should go next year. It's open to the public. There were many great fish to view and purchase. Here are a few pictures from the show:


My personal favorite. A Goshiki. Grand Champion B


Lee's Kohaku - Grand Champion A


Judges discussing a very large Sanke

The show field at Meadowlark Gardens

A very nice Showa - Reserve Grand Champion

More Pictures of my Koi

Asagi


Matsuba Yamabuki Ogon - 23-24"


Maybe a Purachina Ogon? Still working on this

3 Sanke from Koda - Purchased from Eastern Koi at the 2010 ZNA Potomac Koi Show. A couple of these have REALLY good potential.

My wife releasing the Sanke into our pond.

New Koi Added

Here are some new Koi added recently


A Shiro Utsuri and a Kuchi Beni Kohaku


2 Showa, 2 Kujaku, 2 Kohaku. The 3 step in the middle died. :(



Shinoda Gin Rin Showa

Sakai Hiroshima Kohaku

2 Sushui, Gin Rin Asagi, 1 Mixed from K. Loh

Pond Expansion Complete - Technical Specs

Late May I completed the work on the pond expansion. I originally was going to work on the upper pond first but decided for my own pleasure and enjoyment to complete the lower one first. This gives me immediate satisfaction of being able to watch my Koi grow from the deck. I also scaled back my original plan due to technical issues with the retaining walls. Removing too much dirt on each end would weaken the supports and could cause a collapse. These two pictures show work in progress and the completed lower pond.


Here is a summary of the technical specifications.








Upper Pond

The upper pond is a dual level design with a 6” depth section for plants and other critters. Overall size is approximately 12’ x 6’ with a max depth of 3’.

Total volume running is 937 gallons.

Lower Pond

The lower pond has been dug out and new liner installed. Overall size is approximately 18.5’ x 5.1’ and is about 3’ deep.

Total volume running is 2118 gallons.

Total pond volume including filtration system is 3105 gallons or 12.94 tons.

Filtration

The total system comprises of three filtration systems on two pumps. Two pumps and filters are used in case of failure. There will be no scrambling trying to maintain flows and oxygen levels.

First System
Cyprio BioForce 2000 UV 9W with 4 Matala pads and biological media
Titan 1050 GPH submersible pump, 1¼” tubing

System pumps from lower pond through the filter and discharges into the upper pond directly.

Second System
Savio 24” Waterfall Filter with 2 Matala pads and 200 bioball media
Hayward 180T sand filter with 3mm sinking pellet media 2 Cu. Ft.
Cal Pump 36W UV Clarifier
Laguna Max Flow 2900 GPH submersible pump, 1¼” tubing

System pumps from lower pond directly to the sand filter. Clean water flows to the UV Clarifier and then to the Savio waterfall biological filter.

An Alita 40 Air pump with 9” bubble disk assists with oxygenation

Chemistry

Pond initially filled with municipal water and treated with Amquel plus per instructions to detoxify chlorine and chloramines.