[Lee]

Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2004 2:34 am

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Well, Lee, you are quite the humorist!

My dear friend,

I do, indeed, have a positive sense of humor, as well as, a positive look at life in general, however, I doubt anyone who knows me, would consider me a humorist.

I wonder if this is a postive sign of aging or whether it is simply one of the factors of growing old?

So you are on a tropical island with very few local ponding supplies, use Reverse Osmosis to prepare your water for ponding, and are interested in how to put up a trickle tower filter for your pond, right?

No, wrong.

It is true that I once had a useable reverse osmosis unit, however, it has long ago become non-working, instead, I now rely upon a combination of rain water or government supplied water.

Construction details of a trickle tower filter, IMO, is a strong function of "local conditions".

I don't know why local conditions would effect the basic issue?

However, assuming you are cognizant that my Caribbean environment is tropical in nature and that the demands of my koi are high as they never go into that 'wintery stage' as so many of our colleagues - can you provide me any specific advice?

I am not at all mechanical. However, my wife's cheque book can usually cover most any commerically made towers or filter system that may be on the market, as well as, that which can be custom made by someone who does know how to create that which is most wanted...and, needed.

In your case, with reverse osmosis supply water which has no mineral content, I would "try" using all that free local coral for the trickle tower biofiltration media. It is loaded with the trace minerals your pond water needs, will provide the needed alkalinity, and "MAY NOT" put too much mineral content in the water to make it "too hard". If it does, then change the media choice.

Roddy, I followed Griff's advice on this subject last season when I added a bag full of broken pieces of live coral into my final filter vat and some oyster shells, as well.

Additionally, once a month I add a significant quantity of Koi Tetra Vital to the pond water and every Sunday night I dose the pond with a couple cupful of 'clay' to maintain the proper mineralization of my otherwise 90% rain water filled pond.

However, would you recommend anything additional for my new pond, that I am not already doing?

How to construct the trickle tower depends on local materials, again, IMO. There are lots of choices, both Griff and I have used lots of different constructions, they all work reasonably well. I will work through Griff to make a private suggestion on appropriate tower construction to fit your special circumstances.

God Bless. Thank you! I would be honoured to have any advice...

There is significant diversity on this subject that I am fearful of doing any thing wrong.

As I believe no one is certain, any more, as to which is the right method. Or, which is the wrong one?

And, those that do know, the answers that I seek, like yourself, JR, or Griff and a handful of others, all live so very far distant from our little Caribbean home.

This is my HOBBY, and I have no interest in patents or merchandising of the technology involved.

Well, Roddy - if Bill Gates can turn his hobby into Microsoft, there is nothing wrong in my opinion, from your turning what gives you the most pleasure (your hobby) into a profit oriented venture.

...for certain, it is my hobby also.

However, it is also the source of the largest personal investment that I give the most time and attention to...don't you, also?

Keep your normal occupation of providing those shopping centers for tourists going well, I don't think you will easily replace the existing commercial comedy acts with your humor!

My involvement in operating these stores wherein we sell the worlds most famous brands of international known duty free goods to our visiting and local customers, indeed, gives me enormous pleasure, as well.

However, it is not as 'relaxing' nor as 'comforting' as my watching my favourite 'pond mutt' glide by late at night when this fat little girl appreciately looks up at me inviting me to take a swim with her...and, her Koi pals.

Too bad the cruise Griff and Merilyn chose to book us on next month does not drop by the Cayman Islands.....could have worked it out on the spot in that case.....

Hey, don't be so darn certain that our usually unpredictable Caribbean winter weather won't turn that huge luxury cruise ship liner around and head The Century towards our beautiful Cayman Islands - where Sheila and I will anxiously await those special guests from cabin #8073 and #8077 to our home...


Your pal,

Lee
Grand Cayman Island