Water in Niigata

[koinut]

Does anyone know the PH and hardness in Niigata water?

[MikeM]

It varies, but generally pH is in the 6.8 to 7.4 range and water is soft to moderately hard per reports I've read. Because the water is usually soft, pH variations during the course of a day in a mud pond would be greater than in more buffered water, so do not get too focused on Ph.

[koinut]

Thanks Mike. I guess the next time I go there, I should just bring a test kit with me.

[dick benbow]

i'D LIKE TO ASK WHAT YOUR PURPOSE IS IN ASKING?

[junglegeorge12]

The water in Nigata also has alot of minerals in it from the volcanoes nearby. Alot of spring water has very high mineral contents but a low hardness. One of the most influential minerals in terms of koi is one called cobalt. You will see cobalt sulfate, which contains erythrin, on many koi food labels. It is a mineral that when in certain forms the koi can metabolize and synthesize into red pigment.

In fact, in the wild cobalt mineral deposits can turn nearby water runoffs red, so it is nicknamed the 'Blood Rock', or 'Blood that comes from the Rock'. It is seen alot in northern europe and asia and celtic areas in and around large lakes that were formed from meteors. The water plants ingest it as a mineral, sythesize it into pigment, and then the koi and other widlife can eat it. The result is colorful fish with deep red and blue coloration. That is one of the main ingredients missing from alot of US ponds, depending on their local water supply and food. You can pick more of it up in shrimp, and a few other color enhancers.

One reason so many US guys have trouble maintaining the same level of colors as Asian or northern european folks is the cobalt content. We can put it in food, but cobalt is a semiprecious stone and not cheap. It is mostly found around meteor sites and volcanoes. So most color anhancers are spirulina based with yellow and brown pigments, which are not the best, And can yellow a reddish beni and cause it to fade over time. You can buy cobalt sulfate and treat your food and pond with it, or just create a diet that has lot of red pigments in it. It will not be the cheapest diet, but you will have prettier with deeper beni that will spread more koi. Shrimp is a good soucer of erythrin(red pigment) as well.

[monscine]

Yes, like Dick said, I do too want to know why you are asking about pH and hardness of the water? Is it related to kois appetite or what?

Cheers,

[koinut]

Quote: Originally Posted by dick benbow i'D LIKE TO ASK WHAT YOUR PURPOSE IS IN ASKING?

Hi Dick,

The main reason to my question is curiosity. The question of water perameters are always asked from one hobbyist to another, to find out how and what the effects are from pond to pond. I have noticed that here in the States that koi have a tendency to not meet it's full potential both in size and quality. I know that the water source from our cities differ tremendously and affects our koi differently as well. I believe that all the water changes in the world won't make the difference because of what our water source has to offer. So my question is, what makes the waters in Niigata so different from the waters here in the U.S.?

[koinut]

Quote: Originally Posted by junglegeorge12 The water in Nigata also has alot of minerals in it from the volcanoes nearby. Alot of spring water has very high mineral contents but a low hardness. One of the most influential minerals in terms of koi is one called cobalt. You will see cobalt sulfate, which contains erythrin, on many koi food labels. It is a mineral that when in certain forms the koi can metabolize and synthesize into red pigment. In fact, in the wild cobalt mineral deposits can turn nearby water runoffs red, so it is nicknamed the 'Blood Rock', or 'Blood that comes from the Rock'. It is seen alot in northern europe and asia and celtic areas in and around large lakes that were formed from meteors. The water plants ingest it as a mineral, sythesize it into pigment, and then the koi and other widlife can eat it. The result is colorful fish with deep red and blue coloration. That is one of the main ingredients missing from alot of US ponds, depending on their local water supply and food. You can pick more of it up in shrimp, and a few other color enhancers. One reason so many US guys have trouble maintaining the same level of colors as Asian or northern european folks is the cobalt content. We can put it in food, but cobalt is a semiprecious stone and not cheap. It is mostly found around meteor sites and volcanoes. So most color anhancers are spirulina based with yellow and brown pigments, which are not the best, And can yellow a reddish beni and cause it to fade over time. You can buy cobalt sulfate and treat your food and pond with it, or just create a diet that has lot of red pigments in it. It will not be the cheapest diet, but you will have prettier with deeper beni that will spread more koi. Shrimp is a good soucer of erythrin(red pigment) as well.

Thanks for some insight on not just the water parameters, but also missing nutrients from our water source. I'm sure that there are a lot of Americans also wondering the same question as to why we have such trouble here in the States, as opposed to other asian countries that have an easier time with getting koi to there true potentials.

[dick benbow]

Mike at Yume koi has done a wonderful job of created growth water similar to Japan. From this his published articles on RO water have evolved. I really encourage anyone who wants to add to their knowledge from what Mike has learned, needs to go to his world wide web site and read up on this topic. It may answer alot of questions and help you get a grasp on the subject

[Birdman]

Dick, thank you for mentioning Mike's articles. I have printed them all out for study.

Thank you much.