Tonight in Yamakoshi

[markgardner]

More at http://yamakoshi.blogspot.com/ hope you enjoy!

[Brian]

Looks like you had pretty good weather up there today, but it was miserable down here in Yokohama. Managed to get my wireless Internet Machine today, so at least that's a plus.

[markgardner]

Brian

Last 2 days grey and miserable, a far cry from last weekend when it was scorching hot.

Came good, photographically, at the very end.

Mark

[MCA]

Mark,

In artticles in koi magazines, and discussions on many boards about Niigata mud pond water...the interesting thing to know is the chemical analysis of mud pond water in Niigata. Granted it can vary by location, water source, any thing the breeder has added. But in general is the water very soft (despite the mud)....or hard (lots of dissolved minerals and salts)...........or something in between.

If the water is indeed very soft, makes me wonder about folks are adding clay to the domestic ponds. The clays may have a desired flocculent effect; but, would any hardning of the water really be a desired impact?

Anything you say to provide some insight is greatly appreciated!

[markgardner]

I've got to be honest, I've seen the threads. I was about to post, 'how about I take some tests', and then, to be honest, realised i've more than enough to do to get involved in taking any tests that would be meaningful, I'd probably get bored half way through. Water testing has never been my thing, even less so keeping and charting results!

Maybe something for 2009 ;-)

[MCA]

Thanks Mark. It would indeed be a chore.

Maybe one thing you can answer. Other than using clay to seal the pond (reasonably watertight), are you seeing breeders adding more than fish and food? Do you ever see them trying to add extra minerals or salts to harden the water?