Hello Steve,
Where have you been all my life? You're so fun! I'm being serious, I love intelectual stimulation.
Do all people keep their ponds spotless? No. You are absolutely correct. Am I agreeing with you on your comments on smooth liner, algae, and biofilm? Yes. You're right on the money.
Stepping back for a moment and looking at the aquarium industry. Aquariums require monthly cleaning. Most people that have them do the cleaning themselves, or hire it done - but it still gets done on the majority of aquaiums. Do some aquaium owners neglect this? Sure they do. Does this mean an aquarium system manufacturer, or retailer should stop selling aquariums?
Step forward again. You are absolutely right on all your points about gravel - I'm not disagreeing with you - I am pointing out that if the gravel is kept clean like that of aquariums it can be beneficial to pond - if nothing else than cosmeticaly.
So where does this leave us? As a manufacture of filtration systems, and to all the dealers and contractors that sell our products - do they stop selling outdoor aquarium type Hybid ponds?
We as resposible citizens can do our best at the manufacturing level, the wholesale level, and the retail level to provide the best products, service, information, and education to the end-using public - but beyond that....what can be done?
Inviting koi clubs AND water garden clubs into our stores to learn from each other is a crutial part of the KKF/RWG partnership. Sharing information is the essence of learning.
None of us can force people to clean their ponds - and none of us can force what type of pond people to have. This is a free country, people like making their own choices. We can, however, work together to find the best solutions to the problems that can and do arise.
"Fluffing" a quarter of you pond's gravel each week takes about 5 minutes. The marjority of R&G Hybrid ponds are not larger than 25'x25' (625 square feet) - so "fluffing" a 10'x15' (150 sq.ft.) section is super easy.
Saying that even a "pet grade" koi will
definitely harm itself on a rock in the pond is like saying a dog will definitely hurt itself on a tree in the backyard, or a cat on a table leg. Can these things happen, yes. I've seen our cats chase each other through the house and run head-first into the dining room table leg. Same thing with my brother's dog chasing a Robin - ran smack into a tree. So, should I get rid of my dining room table and my brother chop down his trees? Same can be said of rocks with koi. Remember, virtually all aquariums around the world have rocks together with fish - there is no denying that fact. So why would it be OK for aquariums from gold fish tanks to commercial shark reefs to mix rocks and fish but not koi?
What we have to look at is what would
cause the koi to run into the rock. Usually its a result of "flashing". Flashing, as you all know, is a result of irritants on the koi's skin or gills. You people are the experts at knowing about salting and such. So if we make sure that water plants are treated for parasites prior to introducing them into a pond with koi, maintaining .03% salt will help dehydrate many parasites while not harming most plants, keeping the surfaces of the pond clean - liner or gravel - and keeping our filters free of detritus so they can do their job of removing ammonia - we are all moving in the right direction. This is "old news" to you people I know - but the majority has not been exposed to this - and this is my mission.
Someone earlier made a comment about the people here on this forum make up a very small percentage of the koi owners in this country. The majority of people that simply want koi in a pond that looks like part of the landscape. So I as a business man, I know the value of information from the experts such as yourselves - and adapting that information to fit the majority market. People can agree or disagree with that statement - but at least I'm honest about it. I truely believe that trying to improve the products and services from within a market is the best method to keeping more fish alive. Trying to eliminate the market hasn't worked, will not work, and only alienates people. So with your help - we'll be able to change it from within.
If you look around the country, and view other forums - you'll see that my constant talking about backflushing, cleaning gravel, and SSA is taking hold. It never has before. Never before has anyone, or any company caused an shift in the tone or the R&G industry. We've got a long way to go - and so I'll just keep on keepin on.
So how can we combine what you people know into what the majority wants? Thats what I'm trying to do.....with your help of course.
Thanks again.
Sincerely,
John Russell