newbie question

[denver koi]

i put in a small 250 gallon garden pond a few years back and added 5 very small koi. Now, they are 12 - 14 inches and thriving. I wasnt sure how the pond or I would do but I enjoy it very much and have plans for a much larger pond. I swear these fish have personalities...originally I was getting them to the point of hand feeding, but saw two huge raccoons and decided to make them afraid of large moving objects. I do have a net covering the pond while the plants have been pulled (they just spawned) I love to watch them and miss feeding them in the winter. One of my dogs likes to lay with her head over the edge watching them too, she's not trying to catch them, just lays there sleeping and watching over them, occasionally taking a drink. Its very sweet.
anyway -

Ive been doing some light reading on Koi but would like to know what you, the more experienced folks recommend. I've done very well in spite of my lack of formal knowledge due to the kindest of a local dealer.
But I need to learn a lot more, please advise...
and thank you in advance, Im sure you get these newbie questions frequently.

[aquitori]

Quote: Originally Posted by denver koi i put in a small 250 gallon garden pond a few years back and added 5 very small koi. Now, they are 12 - 14 inches and thriving. I wasnt sure how the pond or I would do but I enjoy it very much and have plans for a much larger pond. I swear these fish have personalities...originally I was getting them to the point of hand feeding, but saw two huge raccoons and decided to make them afraid of large moving objects. I do have a net covering the pond while the plants have been pulled (they just spawned) I love to watch them and miss feeding them in the winter. One of my dogs likes to lay with her head over the edge watching them too, she's not trying to catch them, just lays there sleeping and watching over them, occasionally taking a drink. Its very sweet. anyway - Ive been doing some light reading on Koi but would like to know what you, the more experienced folks recommend. I've done very well in spite of my lack of formal knowledge due to the kindest of a local dealer. But I need to learn a lot more, please advise... and thank you in advance, Im sure you get these newbie questions frequently.

Welcome to the board. I would figure out what size pond you want, then a budget. With a firm budget you can then plan on what type of filtration within the budget.

[dinh]

welcome to the Koi-Bito. This is one of the best koi forums on earth. Hope you can learn and enjoy as a member of this forum...

Regarding your Qs, I second montion to what Tony has said... There are a lot of KB members know koi and pond well. I am sure they will help you out.

--Dinh

[denver koi]

I need to learn more about the koi and they chemistry of the water before I build the new pond... any books you recommend?

Just reading up on the care of fry got confusing, I found many different approaches. and recommendations for feeding.

My initial thoughts on my new pond - is to use the smaller one as as a filtering pond with many plants...connect the two with a waterfall, I dont get too many days below freezing but Id like to go deep enough that I wont have to worry about it. Id also like to go about 2 ft above ground to keep some of the debris from blowing in, and control run off (if it ever rains here again)

Im so glad to see such an informative website - Ive been reading a lot of the previous posts. Id like to see a show someday - do they ever get near Denver?
And thanks for the kind welcome - I may not post anything more than questions for awhile, but I'll be reading daily.

[aquitori]

Quote: Originally Posted by denver koi I need to learn more about the koi and they chemistry of the water before I build the new pond... any books you recommend? Just reading up on the care of fry got confusing, I found many different approaches. and recommendations for feeding. My initial thoughts on my new pond - is to use the smaller one as as a filtering pond with many plants...connect the two with a waterfall, I dont get too many days below freezing but Id like to go deep enough that I wont have to worry about it. Id also like to go about 2 ft above ground to keep some of the debris from blowing in, and control run off (if it ever rains here again) Im so glad to see such an informative website - Ive been reading a lot of the previous posts. Id like to see a show someday - do they ever get near Denver? And thanks for the kind welcome - I may not post anything more than questions for awhile, but I'll be reading daily.

First thing is to build and adequate pond...there are my directions you can go in this hobby. First I would read up on a proper "Koi" pond..then study koi later...

[jnorth]

Try the Rocky Mountian Koi Club. They have a show and some other events.

http://www.rmkc.org/

[denver koi]

signed up online and marked my c alendars They have a pond tour coming up - that will be be great inspiriation for my new one.
some of the pics from lasts years tour were impressive...cant wait to start digging!

[mitten]

Please let me say that the book Koi Kichi by Peter Waddington will tell you everything you need to know about koi and ponds. Visiting the website named koi cymru will tell you everything you need to know about building a proper koi pond after figuring out what one is by reading Waddy's book. From there you have a lifetime of joy and learning ahead of you. I can't think of anything nicer.

Please understand that we assume you are from Denver, but we know nothing else about you. Adding a little bit of helpful info to your profile would be nifty.

Mickey the windowman