[schildkoi]

Mickey, you are too funny.

John,

Quote: I'll be at your koi show in March. Also, we should be holding the Grand Opening of our new Flagship Store around that time as well. I'd like to consult with you prior to that for a koi pond display at our store. Built from the ground-up to your specs using our products - how'bout that?

My koi show in March? Ahhhhhh, what show would that be?

Quote: We'll agree to disagree on the use of rocks or gravel in Hybrid ponds and goldfish water gardens. What was started as a thread about SSA of biofilters has been turned into everyone's here favorite debate on the validity of R&G. Until everone agrees that all aquariums from the Shark Reef at Madalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas to the aquarium in my dentist's office has to remove the rocks and gravel for the safety of the fish - we will never see eye to eye on that. So the arguement is over. All that is left to be said on the topic is: come and see our Hybrids in action for yourself. Nothing I am saying about the topic is sinking in with any of you. That is fine, I respect your opinions. I truely do. We'll simply agree to disagree on that topic and move on.

First of all, I wasn't the one who brought graval into this discussion. John, you did when claiming the added beneficial SSA effects of such. I simply pointed out that that advocacy simply didn't hold water (pun fully intended). Also, I still have a hard time with you making comparisons to aquariums with totally different design and operating dynamics to that of your designs.

Quote: At the koi show, we'll show you our bead filters, skimmers, centrifugal pumps, and our Hydro Rock columns. I'll want your honest opinions - and any suggestions you may have on how to improve them for your applications.

I'd be happy to discuss these things with you, as soon as I figure out what koi show you are talking about in March. I am currently not scheduled to be at a koi show in March.

Quote: With regards to koi in gravel ponds. Nothing that you or I can ever say will put a stop to it. So what I have done is make drastic improvements to the systems that are marketed everywhere today. I encourage you to go to a variety of pond shops in your area and look at and physically touch the Aquascape Biofalls, Pondsweep Purifalls, Savio Livingponds, Little Giant Bio Vort, and all the other brands from Nursery Pro, Atlantic, and Pond-Eco. Then take a look at one of our systems. Look at it. Kick it around. Look at its function. Then compare our system to all the hugely popular systems I mentioned above. You will see what the rest of the industry is seeing.

John, we may not be able to stop everyone from dputting koi into graval bottom ponds, but we all can (and many already have) had a positive effect in influencing many from doing so. Of course, as long as substandard products are available at a cheaper cost, someone will choose that route, with many later to understand why they should not have done so at a later date. You want to buy a Yugo by chance?

Quote: Our Hybrid systems are to the R&G industry what High Definition is to the television industry.

Well, the fundemental difference here John is that the R&G industry is not appropriate for koi as inhabitants and I believe that is the message that is being conveyed to you and to which most would prefer you to convey to prospective buyers.

Quote: Oh, and don't forget to take a look at our koi pond products (bead filters, skimmers, and centrifugal pumps - our Hydro Columns can also add a new cosmetic dimension to your ponds).

I'd be happy to take a look and discuss such with at some time.

Quote: One thing that many of you here are overlooking is that you are talking directly to a national manufacturer that will be opening retail/wholesale outlets across the country starting in later 2007. You can have a direct influence on products that are sold in our stores.

I think we all understand that point John and we are all "praying" to have a positive influence. If we didn't, I don't believe that myself and others would be interacting with you.

Quote: You can't stop people from putting koi in R&G ponds. What we can do is work together to create an information program, and a step-stage format of koi keeping from novice to your level that will be featured in all of our stores nation-wide. Not forgeting the steps in the middle and the people that absolutely, positively have to have R&G in their ponds with koi.

You are absolutely correct, just as you can't stop someone from loading up their 1/2 ton pickup with 10 tons of graval. It may work temporarily, but when the problems such as suspension, transmission, engine, etc pop up, they begin to undertsand what a good salesman should have told them. That the truck is design for "x" and not things outside those parameters. Personally, for those that have to have koi in a graval bottom pond, I would have as part of the contract a disclaimer that you discussed this and didn't advise such, but hey, that is just me not wanting to take advantage of someone (buyer) with inadequate knowledge base to make the decision towards such.

Quote: Steve, lets get together to see what we can build at our Flagship Store. We can name the pond we build here after you, and we'll publish the design and give you credit as the "designer" on our web site - and provide all your contact information to the world. We'll photograph every step of the process for instruction manuals and our web site. We will of course be using our bead filters, skimmers, and centrifugal pumps, we'll also use Emperor Aquatics UV's, and what ever bottom drain you prefer. We can build settling chambers to your specs, and we'll use our media. The pond design has to pass the city of Redmond's permit requirements for safety in a public place, and we can't make it out of concrete because that would be considered a permanent alteration to the property and that is not allowed in our lease on the property. The pond will also be stocked with koi from the Kodama Koi Farm. This is the guidelines inwhich the pond must be built. A few hoops I know, but a business has to follow guidlines set by the City inwhich it operates, and under the lease they sign on the property. If we can make it work,that would be the definition of "working together"! See you all soon, Sincerely, John Russell President/CEO Russell Watergardens

John, so you want to build a demo pond of what should be a permenant structure without making it such? Structural integrity is a VERY important factor in designing a koi pond. Simply ask auntiesue about this. I'd be morethan willing to help you with this project. By the way, in case you don't know, I am a hobbyist with a "tad" bit of knowledge on koi pond design and dynamics. I'm not looking for business since I accept no renumeration and would do this simply as a teaching tool to you and your potential future customers. I'll send you my contact information via PM.

Steve