[KoiCop]

Hi Ya, Greg . . .

Thought that was you in the Q & A email exchange.

I put this post up for Dr. Novak over on KV this morning, but he hasn't responded. Since he only has internet at work, and only posts on his lunch hour, seems we won't hear back from him 'till next week. Bummer, eh?

Since you've had the benefit of both the CD and the Q & A email exchange with Dr. Novak, I'm hoping that you'll be able to fill in some of these blanks to help move things along.

If so, I'd sure appreciate it.

Hello Dr. Novak . . .

Both Koi Health Advisors on pond visits and Moderators on KoiVet’s Sick Fish/Pond Forum are familiar with using a series of questions such as these to help visualize and/or understand the dynamics of a pond under discussion -- so I thought it might be helpful to adapt and apply them here? Then we can move on together with a better understanding of your pond, how it works and what you have been able to achieve.

I’m hoping you’ll be kind enough to fill in some of these blanks so those of us who have not had the benefit of either a personal tour (or the CD) can move on together with a clearer understanding of your pond’s particulars.

1. Type of Pond? Small above ground.

2. Construction Method? Timber frame with liner.

3. Dimensions?
a. Living area: ? x ? x 2’.
b. Settlement/Filtration area: 8’ x 4’ x 2’

4. System water volume?
a. Living area: 720 gallons
b. Settlement/Filtration area: 480 gallons
c. Miscellaneous other: ? gallons
d. Total volume: 1200 + ? gallons

5. Basic water chemistry?
a. Source, i.e. tap, well, other:
b. Ph: 7.4
c. Kh:
d. Gh:

6. Bioconversion type? Biocenosis clarification baskets.
a. Size:
b. Number:
c. Contents: Kitty litter & laterite

7. Pumps, their location(s) & flow rate(s)?

8. Do all pumps run 24/7?

9. Additional plumbing features, i.e. number and type, etc.?
a. Pre-filter:
b. Drains:
c. TPR’s (jets):
d. Venturis:
e. Skimmers:
f. Stand pipes:
g. UV light:

10. Supplemental aeration?
a. Volume (lpm):
b. Type (stones, diffusion ring, etc.):
c. Location:

11. Water changes, i.e. frequency and amount?
a. Routine:
b. Major:
c. Flow through (gallons per day):

12. Regular maintenance:
a. How often are the Biocenosis clarification baskets cleaned and how are they cleaned? No cleaning required. Replace laterite every ten years. Trim/repot plants as needed.
b. What is the frequency of other regular maintenance, e.g., pre-filter, leaf traps, UV light bulb replacement?
c. How often is the pond mucked out? Once or twice per year.

13. Are any chemicals routinely added to maintain water quality, i.e. PP, Sodium Percarbonate, Baking Soda, Calcium Chloride, oyster shell, Algae-fix, etc.?

14. Are any chemicals/medicines routinely added to control pathogens/parasites, i.e. seasonal shotgun treatments using salt, PP, Proform C, Prazi, Dimilin, etc.?

15. Is salt routinely added to pond?
a. Amount:
b. Frequency:

16. Stocking Levels:
a. Number: 12 koi
b. Size: (1) 12”, (3) 17”, (4) 19”, (1) 24”, (1) 26”, (2) 28”
c. Ratios, i.e. gallons/koi, gallons/inch: I'll compute once pond volume is known

17. Plants in pond, i.e. types and density?
a. Living area:
b. Settlement/Filtration area: Yes; type?; density?

18. Pond water readings:
a. Ph:
b. Kh:
c. Gh:
d. Oxygen saturation:
e. ORP:
f. TDS:
g. Other:

I know this must seem rather mundane to you. And I'm sure you'd rather discuss the exciting scientific stuff, but I do think this will help to facilitate our internet discussion.

Just remember: This thread will live on long after all of us have 'left the hobby' so it's important to memorialize these baseline stats and descriptions right here in the thread.

Thanking you in advance,

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Sure hope you can help, Greg.