Understanding soft/hard water?

[cman.dc]

Someone wise told me once over some forum that its hard to keep an ideal condition for a pond with mixed varieties. Some koi varieties are more ideal for hard water and others in soft.

I plan to start a new pond when I move to the Houston suburbs and I was told the water there is mild soft. I would perfer to keep varieties that will prosper on soft water? What koi varieties are ideal for soft water?

How do u check your water for softness or hardness?

[l113892]

KH and GH test kits.

Kohaku work nice for soft waters but potentially many koi could do well in soft water.

[MikeM]

Softness/hardness are relative terms. "Mild soft" is not very precise, but gives an impression that the water would be quite good for koi. As the mineral content decreases, it becomes more difficult to maintain a pond due to the increased risk of pH fluctuations. After your pond is established you should monitor pH and hardness regularly and frequently to learn how the particular source water behaves in your conditions. Then you can adopt a maintenance program that works with your source water to give the best conditions under your circumstances.

It is conventional wisdom that black pigment develops best in harder water, while red pigment does best in softer water. There are fine examples of Sanke and Showa raised in moderately hard and moderately soft water. And, there are always exceptions to the general notion. Some studies done long ago indicated that silicon is the element linked to the better Sumi development. In hard water silica compounds are typically abundant. Rain water seeping through silica sands can be both relatively soft and have silicon content. So, what is generally true need not be universally true.

[MCA]

Howdy,

Suggestion....join the Lone Start Koi Club in Houston. You will not find a nicer set of folks. Lone Star Koi Club They can give you all manner of advise as to water conditions...good local vendors...etc.

We lived for years in Plano TX (Dallas suburb). The water there was not soft. Due to the large limestone aquifer...water had 200+ kh and gh. Many folks used water softeners for the house to keep down the lime scale on pipes..etc. The good side of that is that if you did regular water changes with tap water you did not face any serious chance of a ph crash.

Have fun in Tejas!!!

[Flounder]

cman.dc, when will you be here?

Who told you the water is "mild soft" here? That may be true depending on what part of the city you'll live. Luckily for me me is in the somewhat soft area, gH & Kh about 100-120. I have a friend that live on the boony part of town, aka suburb for me, his water is relatively hard since the water suplly is from a diff. source.

There are 2 clubs in Houston, LSKC (what MCA posted) & the ZNA club. Both are good but the ZNA is much much better, if you're more experienced, IMO.

Hit me up when you're in town.

[jnorth]

Quote: Originally Posted by Flounder There are 2 clubs in Houston, LSKC (what MCA posted) & the ZNA club. Both are good but the ZNA is much much better, if you're more experienced, IMO.

Or you could just join both .

[dick benbow]

I have done well with Asagi,Shusui, Kikusui,harewaki, midori in soft water as well as my kohakus. Matsunosuke and hasegawa bred....

[cman.dc]

I am having a house built in Cypress, TX (Harris County) and plan to move in 7 or 8 months from now. I was told by someone who lives in the area and sells koi about the water.

I love the doitsu metallic koi (nishiki, kujaku, lemon hariwake, kikusi, etc..), I was just curious if the water was ideal for these types? I did not have ideal water in my current area, so my little 4-5 metallic (hakari m) went south when they reach adulthood

[RookieKoiGuy]

Quote: Originally Posted by jnorth Or you could just join both .

<<<-------------

Nothing wrong with joining 2
Tom

[mstrseed]

Quote: Originally Posted by cman.dc I am having a house built in Cypress, TX (Harris County)

Well you'll be a little over an hour an a half from Brett's depending on how you drive.............................................