Page 16 - BKKS National Show Programme 2018 highres_Neat

I know a man who does

by Dr Paula Reynolds Consultant in Fish Medicine

Lincolnshire Fish Health Laboratories

The problem drain the pond had been taken in Scott’s absence and was
making netting easier although capture was an indignity his
Scott Manning designed his pond to look as though fish were not accustomed to. They could see how stressed
nature had a hand in its construction and as result his Koi the Koi were once in the vats, clearly unimpressed with their
meandered through crystal clear water that flowed like a new accommodation, and Scott realised despite their lack of
Concern for Koi wellbeing is a completely natural reaction when there is stream . Being six foot deep and featuring a waterfall that expertise they were at the point of no return.
something wrong in the pond. However, when a problem is urgent anxiety cascaded over Westmoreland rock the pond had been a Koi welfare
trouble free home for Scott’s fish for more than 12 years
can so easily send any Koi-keeper in the wrong direction when reliable until last summer. Scott observed as spring turned to The Koi were safe in the two vats, when Scott returned to
information and guidance is vitally needed. summer that the water level of his pond was often low. By the ammonia issue he had known would be a problem.
the process of elimination he concluded that neither the
filter , pipe work , or waterfall were the cause and such a He had invested in a large volume of zeolite to control
loss of water could not be attributed to evaporation. This it and he had his purifier and hoses in position for water
left only a leak in the fibreglass and Scott had put off doing changes. Once the pond was drained the floor and walls
anything about it for many weeks. It was during one of his were wiped to remove the algae so that close inspection
frequent pond top ups that his neighbour Martin commented was possible and a long hairline crack in the fibreglass
over the fence that the “tide was out again “ when he noted construction gradually became visible at the deeper end
the low water level and Scott then knew action was needed. of the pond. Harry wasted no time in cleaning the area
thoroughly ready for repair. He was puzzled as to how
The plan such a crack had developed as he could see the original
lamination was intact and the pond had been built on a firm
Martin worked in the lamination Industry and explained foundation. The preparation of the area and the application
everything needed to make Scott’s pond watertight was of the new fibreglass did not take long although the pond
on sale at his workplace. Pleased that his neighbour was not refilled with water until Harry was happy. With a
was making him face up to the leak all he needed was water purifier, the refill was slow process and so a tap water
assurance that the materials he suggested using were fish conditioner was used to get rid of chlorine and chloramine
safe. Martin’s idea was that he would help Scott, as it was a so the hosepipe could be used at full water pressure. The
big project and his work colleague Harry would do the repair water was continually circulated and as the level rose, they
as he had experience of fibre glassing ponds. The three got could see the repair was holding and there had been only
together over a pint or two to plan how they would house one leak. The pond took days to fill and when the water was
the fish temporarily and what they would do if the leak at its normal level the parameters were tested to ensure
could not be repaired in the way they proposed. Such an the pH, KH, and temperature mirrored the two vats before
eventuality was outside Scott‘s comfort zone and despite his they begun to move the Koi. Gradually with the use of large
reservations he knew he had to rely on them both. Naturally, plastic bags and bowls the Koi were at last returned to their
the Koi needed a home while the repair was underway, pond.
realising one vat was not enough for his numerous Koi Scott
hired two vats from a local aquatic outlet. Getting two vats Concern
to his home required the hire of a lorry and several strong
neighbours to negotiate one of the vats into his garden. The Scott was not relieved to see his Koi back in the pond they
other vat was set up after a little persuasion on Martin’s called home as they were still showing signs of what he took
patio. Even setting up the temporary filtration and an oxygen to be stress due to the upheaval. They had lived in the vats
supply to both vats took time during which the water level in for more days than he anticipated, as only spare time could
the pond continued to drop. be devoted to the pond repair. His concern deepened when
his Koi left food uneaten despite the summer weather that
Set backs normally made them ravenous. He spoke to Harry again
suspecting the lamination products only to be told that he
Catching over 50 Koi was impossible for Scott in his was worrying too much. Scott kept telling himself stress is a
40,000-gallon pond, no sooner was the net in the water the big factor in Koi well-being although he knew they had not
Koi took flight and sheltered behind a bank of artificial reeds. been exposed to ammonia. Being aware that white spot
He built this area to keep fry safer after spawning and is an is triggered by changes in water temperature Scott had
indication of how he kept his pond as natural as possible. taken care to keep as constant a temperature as possible
Scott held the net as Martin and Harry valiantly attempted . His precautions had been good yet he knew something
to block escape routes that neither of them could see that was wrong. His fish had been back in their pond for over a
the Koi were through in seconds. They were amazed at how week when he was shocked to find his 36-inch Sanke on
instinctively Koi know what humans intend to do with a net her side one morning and clearly struggling. As he looked
and when captured they discovered Koi are heavier than at his older Koi, he could see they too were not as active
expected and difficult to handle without experience. Imagine as normal and several were hovering high in the water just
Scott’s concern when he had to leave the two of them beneath the surface.
catching his Koi for a couple of hours in order to deal with
a family emergency. When he returned, he was surprised
to see a team of helpers complete with nets, plastic bags,
and Koi bowls assisting Martin and Harry. The decision to
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