David Lock

At least I think that's what they are called. Anyone any experience and when should they go into pond in time for Spring "activity"? Pond is lined with no plants. Koi and variety of others. Circa 4500 gallons and 4ft max depth. All other tips gratefully received as I haven't used mops before. Thanks, David.

lloydy

I think your best bet would be to phone a good Koi center for advice.Try Koi Logic on 01708226699

David Lock

Thanks lloydy - will do. I have done some Googling and will certainly try Koi Logic. I do find fish people usually most helpful. I 've found out that the mats are only the start! If I really want to breed (the fish that is!) then it's a separate tank for the fry et al. Cheers, David

mj

David,

So I take it that asteroid crater in the back garden now has fish in it then

What does the finshed job look like then - post a piccie - I need some inspiration to finsh mine

cheers,

Mike.

David Lock

Hi Mike - good to hear from you. Yep all 148 of them! (counted them when we moved them from holding tank). Very pleased with result. I am typing this from my conservatory office about 10 ft from pond so I can keep an eye on them. Haven't a clue how to post a piccie but I will get my boy, techno-kid, to take a digital piccie and mail it to you. Would that be OK? Cheers, David.

mj

send it over by all means, I'll upload it and post the link - mailto:mike@urquattro.co.uk

andypugh2000

That must be some mean pond!! I have just built a 1200 gallon half raised job so yours must be like an olympic swimming pool

David Lock

Mike, Techno-kid returned and we have just mailed you some piccies.

Andy, hi - yep it is a fair size but it is so relaxing. Summer evening, beer in hand watching my fish. Perfick as Pop Larkin would say..... Sad I know!

Cheers, David

andypugh2000

know exactly what you mean mate could only build mine that big due to size of garden, any change of mailing me a pic too please?? I will mail you one back info@andypugh.co.uk thanks

David Lock

Mr Pugh, YHP. David

andypugh2000

Great pictures, embarressed to send mine now, what a size, its like a swimming pool!!

David you have post btw

David Lock

I've gone all Koi now

Don't forget, as my good lady keeps teling me, size is not everything

mj

David's pond -



Very nice, have you got any motivation left over from the build? - I lost mine

David Lock

Thanks a million Mike - had forgotten you had the mid-build photos!! My main motivation was that I had 148 fish stuck in a 500 gallon holding tank during the hottest summer for ages asking where their bloody pond was! Cheers, David

SomeDude

Nice pond David (yup, we talked before )

About the spawning... hard to tell, especially since the weather is a bit weird these days, and my fish are already in full "spring mode" (mind you, my pond is heated). Safe bet would be to put the mats in mid March. But then as you said, it's a whole new ballgame with putting the mats in a holding talk after the spawning, trying to get some green water (yup) to feed the fry, then other food as they grow, then culling... can get out of hand quite quickly, with often very dissapointing results. The art of culling is still very much a Japanese thing, even today.

Spawning is often induced after a major water change, sudden rises in temperature, or even by introducing a new fish.

Be aware that after heavy spawning your water quality go to the dogs (lots & lots of ammonia/nitrite/foam) and you will need a few water changes to keep it in check.

One of the best forums I know to ask questions about this is http://www.koivetforums.com. Very helpful bunch with lots of experience.

Another tip would be to buy Peter Waddington's book "Koi Kichi" as he is still considered one of the gurus in koi land, brilliant guy, brilliant book (British)

One small note: 150 fish is a tad overstocked, once they all grow to full size. Like, cough, about 10 fold overstocked LOL

What's your filtration like ? It's the most important part, not so much the number of gallons. That said, a 4500 gal pond should hold about 20 to 25 grown up fish maximum. Not a dig, but surely something to watch out for.

Happy ponding.

SD.

David Lock

Hey Dude, What a helpful reply. Many thanks. Yep the more I look into it the more complicated it gets. Like married life except you are allowed to cull the kids You are right about the overstocking - I think I am on about the limit; it's not quite as bad as it sounds as most are small (at the moment). On filtering I have an OASE Biotech 18 which copes although I can get an excess of algae because of fish and sunny location. Last summer I ran another smaller filter as well during the hot spell. Cheers, David