[smithvillemike]

I have always liked the sound of running/flowing water. I started with a 17" deep watergarden, with a little waterfall, some nice plants. I added a couple of koi to enhance the pond. Well needless to say the koi grew and the pond became crowded, so I built another pond. Pretty much the same thing, but this one was 24" deep and better filtration, but still all the water features. The koi destroyed the plants rooting around in the dirt, so all I had was koi and a waterfall.

Since the koi were now the main focus of the pond I started doing research on how to take care of them. I increased the flow and filtration added UV since they were in direct sunlight, and actually had some pretty nice pond koi. In my research I learned about the different varities and standards and I wanted to have some quality koi. Although I wasn't ready to spend the amount of money on the koi that most of you do, it was because I wasn't certain I wouldn't kill them. So in order to take this next step in bring Koi to their full potential, I built another pond last march.

I live out in the woods and when I say woods I mean it. I have hundreds of 75'+ trees in my front yard. I also have a little wooden bridge that you have to walk over to get to my house as a stream biscects the property. Which means lots of roots as well as the rocky soil and no way to get heavy equipment in to help dig. So I built an above ground pond. I have a 10x12x6 foot pond that has a roof over it because of all the pine needs that fall. Now I have what I consider to be a nice pond so I am ready to try to grow quality koi. I purchased a Japanese Tancho Kohaku koi from Japan at the Texas Koi Clubs April show for $300. I know this isn't much but it was a big step for me as the most I had ever spent before was about $10 a fish. I also got in on NKF's May 555 event (which I really want to thank them for having) so I now have 2 fish that I think are quality, although the NKF koi won't be in Texas until 01/09. I'm bidding on a Sakai Kohaku on Nishikigoi right now. I realize these are not top quality fish, but I'm happy. I'm hoping to learn enough about raising them that I will have one to enter in the TKFGS's October 2010 show.

So when it all comes down to it, it was the Koi who made me KK.