Nishikigoi and artificial light

[dick benbow]

from someone who tries to teach students understanding, there are those whose mind grasps and demands technical data to support theory and those who are satisfied to know only that if you bring your koi inside, you have to suppliment the light.

[MikeM]

Vogata: As you continue your observations, you are building data from which technical advice can be given. It will be a contribution to koikeeping knowledge that may assist many. Persevere!

[Vogata]

Well have to agree and confirmed that we have believed for as long as we have been keeping Nishikigoi. Light among other for us sure natural, biological and logical settings for any live also must be guiding for Nishikigoi only distorted by the aspect of water.

Our headache is the morbid need for going from knowing that the sun will sett and rise again to when and the time for it.
We have no doubt that our lighting is a potential bonus for our Nishikigoi, and have used the four last years finding the type that we can observe (or think we can) gives us the best effect. Then the problem with comparing with what, that’s where our fellow Kichi’s are more than welcome to comment or give their thoughts.
We are intrigued of when we meet the level of what’s needed and even more interesting what will be to much or where will the positive effect slow down – halt and reveres to a problem?

We have gone from almost no extra spectrum light to in all fixtures and from original test pond at ~56W / m3 to now 68W / m3 and the next one?? Started this thread.

We are still open for input, thoughts or just rambling from anyone that have an unnatural relation with a coloured carp of any kind.

[Vogata]

At present tubes with ~spectrum as given in PDF at 58W/m3 (~10.76 square foot) you will have a very nice improvement on your Nishikigoi and a funny extra gear in your biological filter?

Water dep’t not above 1.5m (1.3-1.5m tested) Distance from fixture to water ~420mm (according to fixtures “glass” profile). We have mounted the so that max (~full) area is ~150mmm above bottom of pond.

Yes heating is an issue, have insulated and shielded it above water with controlled air exchange. Air pumped in to the system (air doom) and forced out through ventilation. This gave us an edge and reduced heating needed due to constant trickle of fresh water.

Stay clear of the normal blue plant and colour enhancing (visual) sections known for the former aquarium freaks. Bin there done that and they cost way more than they gave our Nishikigoi.

Indoor keepers should really add this since its just a marginal cost to get an edge through the winter.
PS! Go for watertight its really worth it I swear.

[Lam Nguyen]

Very interesting thread and, as Vogata eluded to earlier, an important part of koi keeping indoors during the winter months. My koi have been kept in the garage since last November and I have noted a change in the intensity of the beni & sumi, especially in the younger koi. At first I thought that it was because of the baking soda as some have suggested, but I have not used any baking soda for the past month as my pH has become stable d/t increased water replacement. Still the beni & sumi continued to weaken and become lighter. So I guess I will be heading to Home Depot to see if I can get some 10,000K lights to see if this will help.