Recommended Books

[velvetbone]

Bill,
Are you somehow involved with "Mystickoi.com". If you are, I would be interested in the softcover version too if you have it available.
If you have any other suggeted reading material please let me know.

What can I excpect from the DVD's? Will they show me " How to...".

Because, I already know the deminsions of my pond and that I would like it to be a Koi only pond.
I know it will be a combo of above ground, 2'-2' 6", with 2'-2' 6", below the ground using a pre-liner, insulation and a 45 mil EPDM liner by Firestone. I "think" I know what filtration I'll be using(DIY). I have a lot Q's regarding plumbing, correct pipe usage, "how to intall....."etc...

As Aquitori had stated,
"but I can say once you get deeper and deeper in the mix of knowledge it does get expensive!!!"

I do plan on doing a lot of things by DIY.

So, the question is, will I learn enough from the DVD's to help justify the cost or should I invest in written literature because I am and will be on a budget?

Thanks for your advice,
Vince

[velvetbone]

What does that hack know?
Let me guess. Are you THE Steve?

If so, your the reason why I am trying to get a hold of the first issue of KOI USA 2007.
Also, I now know who to blame when the bill comes for the 2 year subscription and the Boss asks me what this is about. Let me see how does she get a hold of you...?

If you have any other suggestions on where to look for the softcover please let me know. I think I have already scored bonus points with her by reading the back copies of Koi USA while sitting next to her.

What?

How can I be sitting next to her reading AND be at the computer. I can't she went to the store. So, as long as the kids don't give me up I am O.K.
Gotta go I think I hear the garage door...
Vince



Try USA Koi - One of the largest selections of Japan's most premier Koi "usakoi.com" for the soft cover of Koi Kichi...still the best overall koi book on the market IMHO. I paid $125 new for the hard cover and was worth well more than that over the years...still keep one of the 2 copies I have right here next to me at the pc.

Steve
I just tried that site and they don't have Koi Kichi in hard or softcover for sale. But thanks for the tip.

[LammiKoi]

Quote: Originally Posted by velvetbone Bill, Are you somehow involved with "Mystickoi.com". If you are, I would be interested in the softcover version too if you have it available. If you have any other suggeted reading material please let me know. What can I excpect from the DVD's? Will they show me " How to...". Because, I already know the deminsions of my pond and that I would like it to be a Koi only pond. I know it will be a combo of above ground, 2'-2' 6", with 2'-2' 6", below the ground using a pre-liner, insulation and a 45 mil EPDM liner by Firestone. I "think" I know what filtration I'll be using(DIY). I have a lot Q's regarding plumbing, correct pipe usage, "how to intall....."etc... As Aquitori had stated, "but I can say once you get deeper and deeper in the mix of knowledge it does get expensive!!!" I do plan on doing a lot of things by DIY. So, the question is, will I learn enough from the DVD's to help justify the cost or should I invest in written literature because I am and will be on a budget? Thanks for your advice, Vince

Hi Vince, glad to know that there's another DIY guy out there. There's nothing more satisfying than seeing something that you did yourself come to fruition. I built my approximately 9,000 gallon pond all by myself and so far things are great....keeping my fingers crossed though! I even went so far as paying a couple of experts to come out and view my drafts and give me recommendations.

I do have recommendations for you though. Make sure that you do your research well before you start building. I know that you listed the requirements of TRPs, bottom drains, mechanical vortex (?), skimmer, depth of pond, etc. That's great! But keep reading the books that the kichis recommended and research, research, research. Join a club and pick the brains out of the gurus, go to a dealer and ask as many questions as you can before he/she chases you home, and don't be afraid to ask questions.

I got my koi kichi softcover (they didn't have hard covers left) at enkoi.com. If you are having a difficulty time finding this book, your local koi club might have a book library that you can borrow from for a while. I know at my NWKG club they have such a thing.

Glad to hear that you subscribed to KoiUSA. I also subscribe to Nichirin and Rinko, but these will come later for you. Another book that I recommend is Koi Living Jewels of the Orient. They have a chapter on building koi ponds. Anyways, hope my suggestions help and welcome aboart koi-bito forum.

Lam

[jnorth]

Quote: Originally Posted by velvetbone Bill, Are you somehow involved with "Mystickoi.com". If you are, I would be interested in the softcover version too if you have it available.

Bill is the owner of Mystic Koi and yes they usually have Koi Kichi and Koi Kichi 2 in stock. Not sure where you are located but they are in Upland CA.

[schildkoi]

Quote: Originally Posted by velvetbone What does that hack know? Let me guess. Are you THE Steve? If so, your the reason why I am trying to get a hold of the first issue of KOI USA 2007. Also, I now know who to blame when the bill comes for the 2 year subscription and the Boss asks me what this is about. Let me see how does she get a hold of you...? If you have any other suggestions on where to look for the softcover please let me know. I think I have already scored bonus points with her by reading the back copies of Koi USA while sitting next to her. What? How can I be sitting next to her reading AND be at the computer. I can't she went to the store. So, as long as the kids don't give me up I am O.K. Gotta go I think I hear the garage door... Vince Try USA Koi - One of the largest selections of Japan's most premier Koi "usakoi.com" for the soft cover of Koi Kichi...still the best overall koi book on the market IMHO. I paid $125 new for the hard cover and was worth well more than that over the years...still keep one of the 2 copies I have right here next to me at the pc. Steve I just tried that site and they don't have Koi Kichi in hard or softcover for sale. But thanks for the tip.

Vince,
As you are doing your research, please keep in mind that there are many ways tyo do a Koi pond correctly...just as there are many bad ways. Often times people get caught up in taking "the best" from varying design styles, attempting to incorporate them into a new "system." This can often times result is less than desired performance if considerations are not given into how each of these fits with the other components of the different design style.

As someone already stated, and as coined by Peter Waddington, Koi ponds are expensive, but building it correctly the first time is far cheaper than having to redo it time and time again.

Steve

[velvetbone]

Bill,
Thanks for the tip on where to find Koi Kichi.(Mystickoi.com)
I ordered it last night. Just like you said it was only $45, for the softcover.
I felt like a kid in a candy store.
I look forward to a lot of good reading. And, you all should get ready for some Q's from a newbie. After I have searched the forum of course.
I really liked your web site too. Very ez to navigate.
Thanks,
Vince

[velvetbone]

"Vince,
As you are doing your research, please keep in mind that there are many ways tyo do a Koi pond correctly...just as there are many bad ways. Often times people get caught up in taking "the best" from varying design styles, attempting to incorporate them into a new "system." This can often times result is less than desired performance if considerations are not given into how each of these fits with the other components of the different design style.

As someone already stated, and as coined by Peter Waddington, Koi ponds are expensive, but building it correctly the first time is far cheaper than having to redo it time and time again.

Steve"

Steve,
Could you elaborate, or direct me to where I might find what you mean by

"Often times people will get caught up in taking...." ?

Are you talking about design only? Or does this go for plumbing, filtration system etc?
I do plan on seeking out the San Diego Koi Club chapter, I am sure they can also help me with any potential design flaws.

I am currently reading your arcticle title, " It's a System...".Great read.

Thanks Vince

[velvetbone]

Lam,

Thanks for your advice. My DIY pond project will not be as big as yours. But because of budget constraints and as you put it,
"There's nothing more satisfying than seeing something that you did yourself come to fruition" I will be doing the work by myself.

I was wondering how long you were in the planning stages before you broke ground?
Luckily I am not against any time line. But, because of the type of work I do the fall tends to be a very busy time of the year.
I like the concept of being prepared and not rushing into this blindly. After all the reason I would like to have a Koi pond is because of the living art in the pond itself. Living being the important word. That is something I don't want to take on half heartedly.
Thanks for you earlier post and I look forward to asking you some DIY and other Q's too.

Vince

[schildkoi]

To answer your question regarding, ""Often times people will get caught up in taking...." ?

Just as a simple example, most hobbyists will agree that a bottom drain is the single most important aspect of "The System". One design style may not incorporate an air diffuser on the drain and opt for venturis instead. Without knowing all of the design parameters of both styles, one could easily fall into the trap of utilizing the diffuser style design, without the diffuser itself and use the venturis. If one does not understand the fact that the diffuser component in that design helps to expedite the solid waste removal to filtration ( thrugh specific current patterns) and that in fact lowers ambient nutrient levels further and instead decides to opt for the venturis (whos turnover rate in that design may be totally different) effects not only the abient levels of nutrients, the venturis also add head pressure to the system and thus lower turnover rates beyond the diffuser style design criteria. Thus, the venturis in one design that starts out with a different set of criteria are now incorporated into a totally different system design that in turn may yield more cost effective O2 but in turn adversly effects other multiple areas.

So, understanding all of the dynamics and treating the pond as a total system with matched components and design criteria verses what may otherwise appear as individually better sub compenents can often yield those undesireable results.

Steve

[zek]

The hard cover is available for $120 @ Books Koi Kichi by Peter Waddington Hardback