Mud Pond Differences

[k.tran]

In the past months i have heard rumors that Japan mud ponds and U.S. mud ponds near old volcanic activity is similar.

is this true??

just wanted to know

[aquitori]

Quote: Originally Posted by k.tran In the past months i have heard rumors that Japan mud ponds and U.S. mud ponds near old volcanic activity is similar. is this true?? just wanted to know

If we talk about US states, I think Hawaii is the closest to Japan mud ponds...

[koiczar]

The ponds may be similar but what's in the water is not! The Japanese rely on snow melt and spring snow melt runoff to fill the mud ponds. And the water that does run down through the mountains has different types of minerals. That's why their water is softer than ours.

[CarolinaGirl]

Quote: Originally Posted by koiczar The ponds may be similar but what's in the water is not! The Japanese rely on snow melt and spring snow melt runoff to fill the mud ponds. And the water that does run down through the mountains has different types of minerals. That's why their water is softer than ours.

So how high (or low) is the pH in a japanese mud pond? How about kH and gH? My tap water (from a well) is about as soft as it comes. Maybe I should build a mud pond.

[k.tran]

so pretty much it isnt the same is the correct?

[MikeM]

CarolinaGirl: I've bumped up a thread Auntisue began some months ago. Your question is answered in it. Search and ye shall find.

[dick benbow]

In japan among the breeders own ponds there are some that annually favor growth, some that favor beni, some that favor sumi....and the apprpriate needs of the koi are met by the farmers.Toshio sakai (my hero ) takes many of his tategoi from Isawa ( a hot springs area where the colors are livid ) and transports them up to niigata to give them something different from the mud there.

kentaro sakai of Sakai fish farms is a friend of mine and has entertained me with stories of rain storms full of manufacturing drift that dramatically change
the PH of growth ponds. Awaken in the wee hrs of the morning by a PH dropping alarm, they spend their sleep time adjusting PH on the run, then without sleep put in another full day with regular activities.

here in washington state we have plenty of snow melt run off available. many of our cities draw from that to quench the population's thurst. It's very soft. On low snow years they use ground water from wells and boy can I tell by the pond's water #'s when they do that. Used to drive me cracy...till I went to RO (reverse osmosis) water.

While this rambling doesn't answer you question direct,I hope it does give you a feel for some true life experinces.....

[JasPR]

Temperature in Niigata right now is 54 F.

I think---

The finished Japanese product is difficult to duplicate for the following reasons, and some of these reasons create an illusion regarding the myth-like properties of the Japanese mud pond:

1) HIGHLY acclimated race of carp to their environment.

2) a knowledgeable community of multi-generational breeders working in concert

3) high elevations in the case of Niigata with LOW pollution. good sun, warm days, cooler nights.

4) excellent snow melt and excellent ground water. ( the breeders in the south use ground and river water).

5) mineral rich earth ( volcanic and mountain soils) mixed with mineral depleted water. Snow is closer to distilled water than hard water. So koi ingest minerals but are not exposed to harsh mineral rich water from the water column.

6) Goldilocks mud ponds- not too old and not to young , so that natural biomass is mature but does not contain a lot of decay. No leaf decay in the bottom for instance.

7) a long growing season in uncrowded ponds.

8) the ponds are maintained. They are 'walked' , for instance, on a regular basis to keep mud fresh. They are not overfed. If it rains- no food. Tricks of the trade.

Still ponds crash. They deliver disappointing results sometimes. Some are better than others. No one knows why? Its farming in the end and loaded with risk and the whims of nature.

But in the end, all these factors are what JAPANESE koi have grown and evolved it. You can't beat 'Home sweet home' when it comes to a unique and special place.