15 Mistakes all Koi & fish pond owners should avoid

My 15 key mistakes that koi keepers (and indeed fish pond owners in general) should avoid making. Based on experience over 25+ years keeping koi, and observations across the koi hobby, I rank the 15 mistakes I see made most often and offer tips on how to avoid making them yourself.
Some are very obvious, some will be more surprising. Most are further expanded on in more detailed videos on this channel.
Daz
Check out my website at www.dazzlekoi.com/
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0:00 Introduction
0:51 Insufficient water movement/circulation
1:58 Believing filter manufacturers specs
3:14 Buying koi from the wrong places
5:10 Not installing a bottom drain
6:32 Fitting the wrong sized bottom drain
7:35 Not enough oxygen / air
9:14 Insufficient spares on hand
11:14 Incorrect filter flow rate
12:24 Believing everything you hear/read
14:04 Feeding poor quality food
16:06 Buying koi before a microscope
17:02 Not observing your koi enough
18:11 Not cleaning filters often enough
18:48 OVER STOCKING !!

[@DazzleKoi]

Thanks for watching. If you have any suggestions for koi keeping mistakes that I've missed please share them here 🫶🍻🍻🫶

[@biancabrown3703]

Not testing tap water before using it for water changes. Tap water can contain nitrates

[@bullzdawguk]

Number 16. Forgetting to add water in the pond before you put the koi in. Apparently, they need the water in the pond for some reason.

[@fallinghurts]

I bought my house with a koi pond last December. My newborn was 2 weeks old at the time and this is my first house, baby and honestly my job is quite a lot. Living in Ohio, it was frozen for quite awhile but an aerator was set up so we didn’t have any losses come spring. Unfortunately, the pond wasn’t as well cared for leading up to that winter as the owner had passed away. I worked well in the spring to clean it up with frequent filter changes. However, I haven’t maintained that level as life has just been insanely busy. I feel bad, but I have kept them all alive and well. I appreciate this video as I’m making myself be better when it comes to these extra responsibilities and hobbies I have. I love watching these fish and I want it to be as ideal as possible. Thanks!

[@DazzleKoi]

Hi there, I know how hard it can be sometimes to find spare time but it sounds like you are on the right track. I worked in Ottawa IL for a while so I know it can get pretty cold in winter. Keep doing what you're doing 👍👍👍

[@grumpygrandaddevon3501]

I've been following your channel for a while now , I must say I can't be the only one that's very much appreciate the knowledge and experience that you are passing on , As in all things it's the little things that count which makes all the difference with success or failure , Once again many thanks all the best from 🌞 South Devon 🍻👍👍

[@DazzleKoi]

Hi there mate and thank you very much for your kind words, I really appreciate that. Very true about the fine details to. Keep it simple and above all consistency in everything and you shouldn't go far wrong.

[@waynebrown5852]

Excellent video again it's nice to hear someone that has years of experience, I have been keeping koi for over 30 + years also i remember Tim in this short pants at infiltration with his Dad Peter

[@DazzleKoi]

Hi Wayne, I do remember Tim at Infiltration with Peter but the memories are getting vague now. I wrote an article which I have used as the introduction to the book I'm writing, all about the first time I set foot in infiltration and the impact it had on us. Sadly we just don't seem to have that wow factor anymore to hook young people in to the hobby.

[@KoiControl-App]

Good stuff Daz! Important list for all koi keepers

[@suzypennycook3047]

Thankyou for another great video Darren. Spot on with your advice as always.

[@DazzleKoi]

Thanks Suzy, much appreciated 🥂🥂

[@suzypennycook3047]

Fab video. Thankyou Darren.

[@adamharrison7259]

Not long subscribed... as quite a beginner I'm loving the videos so much knowledge and help for us that are learning thank you and keep it up mate ❤️

[@DazzleKoi]

Cheers Adam 🍻🍻 What do you think of the new channel banner and logo?

[@anthonywatkins2783]

Another great video Daz, I come out quite well in view of your thoughts, have a good season and keep well. 👍

[@DazzleKoi]

Thanks Anthony, you too Sir 👍👍

[@craig5523]

Great,advice for beginners and seasoned koi keepers

[@DazzleKoi]

Cheers mate, much appreciated 🍻🍻

[@Tillygoat60]

Nice to see you back daz, great advise as usual 👍

[@DazzleKoi]

Thanks Rex, its good to be back Sir 🍻🍻

[@Ash7]

Cheers Daz come them coming!!!

[@DazzleKoi]

Thanks Mark, I'll do my best mate 🍻🍻🍻

[@gerritdevos4707]

Thanks Dazzle. Another grate video.

[@DazzleKoi]

Cheers mate, much appreciated 🍻🍻

[@andrewwestwood485]

Yet again another informative video Daz...totally agree with everything you said. 👍

[@DazzleKoi]

Cheers Andrew 👍👍

[@davidcook380]

Great Advice Dazzle Thanks

[@DazzleKoi]

Cheers David, much appreciated 👍👍👍

[@carollycett1329]

Great update and very interesting advice Nice to see you back again stay safe and well

[@DazzleKoi]

Hi Carol, thank you very much, its definitely good to be back. Onwards & Upwards 🥂🥂

[@littlenudger1972]

good advice as always i learned the filter spec the hard way 😁

[@DazzleKoi]

Thanks mate, I think we've all done that at the start of our koi journeys👍👍👍

[@andrewmason2879]

Bang on mate sound advice 👍👍👍👍

[@DazzleKoi]

Thanks Andrew 🍻🍻

[@TobiasHolenstein]

Thanks for the tips, building a koi pond right now so this is helpful

[@DazzleKoi]

Hi Tobias and thank you, hope everything goes well Sir 🍻🍺🍻

[@richardbrunton2068]

Interesting stuff, cheers daz 👍

[@DazzleKoi]

Thanks Richard 🍻👍🍻

[@nickminter7994]

Great advice as always, all the best 👍🏻

[@DazzleKoi]

Thanks very much Nick, you too mate 🍻🍻

[@shaunleonard8146]

Nice one Mate. Thank you

[@DazzleKoi]

Thanks Shaun, you're very welcome 🍻🍻🍻

[@davidbarlow4568]

Great unbiased advice, thought that you would have had don't forget to put a trickle in trickle out system in place.

[@DazzleKoi]

Hi David, its definitely another one that could have made the cut. Tim at Quality Nishikigoi told me off for not including 'not knowing your exact pond volume' as well. Its hard to keep it down to a sensible number. It was going to be 10 originally but I just couldn't cut 5 from that final list

[@kevinwilliams1586]

Very good advice as normal cracking video. All the new people can learn a lot from this.

[@DazzleKoi]

Thanks very much Kevin, I appreciate that 🍻🍻

[@baitking1]

Another great video dazz 🤘

[@DazzleKoi]

Thanks Tom, I appreciate you taking time to say 🍻🍻🍻👍👍🍻🍻🍻

[@georgecromar4094]

Great video! Good to see you here on KZbin 😎

[@DazzleKoi]

Hi George and thank you very much. How are you keeping?

[@bigladkoi]

Great advice mate

[@DazzleKoi]

Cheers Craig, how's things with you? Did you get through your issues?

[@roydodd4694]

Thank you great video ❤ it roy 😊

[@DazzleKoi]

Cheers Roy, all the best 🍻🍺🍺🍻

[@richardiasparo5026]

I didn't realize I can get a simple 02 test kit. I will look for one on Amazon. Thank you for your help

[@DazzleKoi]

No problem mate, many people don't realise. Measure it first thing in the morning and then late in the day when its been a hot day. This should give you your two extremes.

[@cescasreefandpond1137]

Some great advice and a very informative channel. Have subscribed to your channel :)

[@DazzleKoi]

Hi mate and thank you, welcome aboard 👍👍🍻🍻👍👍

[@mykoiobsession]

Nice to see another one of your videos. Hope you are doing well. Great video as always. I agree with everything you said. If only people would listen to the advice you are providing there would be a lot more happier, healthy koi out there and a lot more less stressed koi owners.👍🏻 👍🏻 👍🏻

[@DazzleKoi]

Hi mate and thank you very much, I appreciate that 🍻🍻👍👍🍻🍻

[@marmar3431]

Hey thanks for yet another spot on informative vid. Dropped on your channel and always enjoy info and delivery. Agree with almost every piont. Think we are both on the same dealer and have loved all your content. If I can differ on one point you make it would be the last point you make. Surely stocking levels are intrinsically linked to filtration. Yes a 1000gl pond on a black box is correct for low number of Koi. But a balanced pond on say a Nexus.Tempest and Trickle must be able to support more fish.In short 1 fish per 2-250 gallons is crazy. Without going into all the variables I Have had under and over stocked ponds and always copped. In all your other points. I give in you know more than me lol. Martin

[@DazzleKoi]

Hi there, sorry, I missed your comment until now. If you haven't seen it already, have a look at my new video on filtration. I think you will see why 250 gallons per koi is a good minimum figure.

[@abkoi]

Fantastic video mate and glad to see you back! Hope all is well? Some cracking points made. Especially the Facebook “know it all’s” 🤣 Only thing I’d change (and it’s the one I always mention to people when asked about Koi care etc) I’d put observation at number 1, I think it’s that important! I’m down my garden every single day without fail for hours in the summer and maybe 5/10 mins in the not so nice weather. You just know when something is off with them if you watch them enough and know/understand their traits. Then you can start investigating potential issues nice and early… which can be the difference literally between life and death. Great update 👍🏼

[@DazzleKoi]

Hi mate, I can't argue against observation at all. It was hard to choose just one as many of them are equally important. Another one that I realised I've missed is not knowing your exact volume. Not challenging for the most important but should have been on the list I think.

[@matthewlawrie9276]

nice one Daz 👍

[@DazzleKoi]

Cheers Matthew 🍻🍻🍻

[@grahamparker5129]

You was Spot on with that Darren mate what you said about the KOI and cleaning your filters as well I am glad you are doing some videos with Tim as well and your own as well I did put a comment on Tim's about you as well well done hope you Okay now mate as well and a great video as well Daz mate 👌😎😁👍

[@DazzleKoi]

Hi Graham and thank you very much, I really appreciate that. Its great to be back and I'm looking forward to making some good videos in the coming months. More good days than bad now 🍻🍻👍🍻🍻

[@richd-koi6974]

I have 8 koi in a 1400 gallon pond n have found that is a good number for me n them so i fully agree with this. I may even decrease this number further in the the future. Another informative vid 👍🐟

[@DazzleKoi]

Hi Rich, sounds like you have it bang on. Its difficult to stress this point enough as people never associate the problems they are having with being over stocked. I see so many people posting about continually getting flukes at the moment and then it turns out they have 20 koi in 1000 gallons. When this is pointed out to them they claim to never have had an issue from over stocking because they have 'huge' filters etc.

[@mrgibbs7916]

Spot on with all that. I have learnt alot from two people and one being your self and other my local koi shop. My only downside is not having a microscope but I would not know what to do, so I take my koi to the local koi shop 2 minutes away for a scrape to which 3 weeks ago I saw flashing and was costa. Any chance you could do a video on what sort of microscope to get. What the little devil's look like and how to do scrapes.

[@DazzleKoi]

Hi Mate and thank you, yes definitely plan to to do that video. I made the first in a series of health videos and the next one will be about scrapes etc. I do have a video review of the scope I recommend which is the Apex Practitioner somewhere.

[@micky2oo2]

Very helpful video. Goof to get information like this off someone like yourself who knows the correct way. Just ordered a nexus 350 this week.

[@DazzleKoi]

Cheers Micky, what size pond are you running it on? I haven't used a 300 before but I have had a couple 200's in the past and they were great. Get the flow right and the maintenance and they are cracking filters.

[@micky2oo2]

@@DazzleKoi Pond is 11'000 litres approx. Sorry its a nexus 250+ also have a 20 000 lph pump. Over kill but they didnt have any 10 000 in stock. Do u know if its ok to use 2 inch pipe into the nexus using a 4" to 2" reducer? I have to use pump fed, no space for gravity fedd unfortunately.

[@DazzleKoi]

Hi mate, if you are pump fed you can use 1.5 inch or 2 inch between pump and filter (depending on what size your pump inlet is) as the restriction is already there at the pump. When pump fed you can get a LOT more water through a smaller pipe as its pushed through under pressure. I would just use pressure pipe the same size as your pump inlet

[@micky2oo2]

@@DazzleKoi Great 👍 This is pretty much what I have done using 2 inch pressure pipe. Its all dry fitted at the minute and I'm waiting on a ball valve and a few bits. Looking forward to getting it up and running. Thanks for taking the time to help out.

[@DazzleKoi]

No problem mate, hope it all goes well 👍👍

[@charles29cc]

Love the video as usual mate! I have 1100 gallons and am on 10 so also overstocked. But I couldn’t get rid of any either! May even extend it next year actually. There is a new KZbin video/business and he seems quote really bad advice too it’s shocking! Also Daz I gota ask ya what do you think of those good bacteria balls or liquid. I have the biggest tub of them you can buy and normally use one a year but I must say I’m sceptical if they actually work. All the best mate

[@DazzleKoi]

Hi mate and thanks you very much. I have to admit I was never convinced by po=nd bombs and such like. I did give the EA pure+ gel a go when I started up my last pond and I felt it helped a lot. I recommend adding a bit of the gel to your bio media whenever you want to give your bio bacteria a boost. I don't recommend bombs though, I never saw any benefit from them

[@Marks_Channel]

I have just found this channel and signed up. Very informative film and a lot food for thought there, thank you. Would you know correct flow rate for an Eazy Pod complete, my pond is 1200 gallons.

[@DazzleKoi]

Hi Mark and thank you. You want to aim for 5500 litres an hour through the pod for optimum performance 👍👍

[@Bowie.]

Great vid! I'll add, people shouldn't be fooled into thinking expensive food is good food. There's quite a number of expensive koi foods with high ash, soy, and nonsense ingredients. I think your hikari wheat germ recommendation is great.

[@DazzleKoi]

Hi mate and thank you. I'd love to have the time to really look at the ingredients in all koi foods but its a minefield with so many of them being coppens re-branded. I'm not even sure there is any regulation so I wouldn't be surprised if there were some manufacturers/suppliers who were less than honest with their ingredients lists.

[@BedtimeStoriesCARP]

Love the information in the videos. Fact is better than fiction. Quick question if u don’t mind, if a koi has flukes and tric what should you treat first. Which parasites are most harmful to the? Advice appreciated

[@DazzleKoi]

Hi Leigh and thank you. I would treat the trich first with PP. Give everything a really good clean first then PP. Give it 4 or 5 days and then re-scrape to confirm the trich is clear then tackle the flukes. I like lernex followed by lernex pro 6 days later for flukes.

[@darrenscott2496]

Thank you very informative.I am planning on building a large koi pond just trying to get as much information as possible before I start.what would be your thoughts on a bog filter?many thanks in advance.

[@DazzleKoi]

Hi Darren, I have to be honest, I have no experience of bog filters at all. I'm not a fan of plants / soil anywhere near my pond so its not something I would consider personally. That's not to say that they can't be successful, just not for me. They may be better suited to fish ponds or 'natural' type ponds. I like to keep things simple and for me a huge factor is how easy a filter is to flush out. I clean mine every single day so I need to choose the filter that makes that possible in just a few minutes.

[@errolramdeen4163]

Good afternoon, sorry I didn’t catch you name. I must complement you on your knowledge and also the delivery of your instructions. I have watched and listen to many videos on koi care and this is the best to date. I have been keeping koi for 25 years and I love ❤️ my hobby and my koi. I have been struggling to keep my nitrate level between 50 to 100 parts per million which have led to parasite 🦠 and infected koi and loosing 3 smaller koi this year. Since purchasing bakki shower and a digital vary speed pump combination 🚿 I have noticed a considerable difference in the all the readings especially ammonia and nitrite. I have been using a nexus 210 for 5 years and added a 2 tier 80cm bakki shower ack in march to help control the nitrate. My pond volume is 7800 litres and 10 koi most over 60cm. After watching your video I can see that a need to feed less and maybe give away a couple but not my big ghost 👻 koi Kevin 30 years old. Thanks 🙏🏿 again and sorry for the long comments. Regards Errol.

[@DazzleKoi]

Hello mate, its Darren but it usually gets shortened to Daz. Thank you very much for your kind words, I really appreciate that. It sounds like you are seeing the benefits of a shower filter. I do rate them very highly. Nitrate is often under estimated and it does cause issues of left to high 🍻🍻

[@stefpetre5103]

Thanks!

[@DazzleKoi]

Hi Stef and please accept my apologies, I had no idea until now what this icon meant. I honestly can't thank you enough for this, I really appreciate this so much. Sorry again for taking 4 months to respond 🍻🍻🍺🍻🍻

[@StokeKoiAdventures]

Cheers yet another very informative video. Can I ask , I’m just building a block pond, I’ve put a bottom drain , 2 x 1.5 inlets on the back and 2 at the front side. Could I link two together with one valve or would it be better do separate. These will be running from a moving bed and easy pod. Via a 10,000 vari pump. Cheers video is on youtube

[@DazzleKoi]

Thanks Neil. You want to try and create circulation and water movement in the pond with the returns. This will avoid any dead spots were water is still as waste will collect there. It is a good idea to have the returns all pushing in the same direction. You can certainly valve two together if you wish

[@timlandeg7117]

sensible words!

[@DazzleKoi]

Cheers Tim, thank you 🥂🍻🍺

[@crimewavedelta7879]

Been following you for many years, great video as always..do you know how I can calculate my flow rate ? I’m on a easy pod and tempest on a 1500 gallon pond. EA 20 pump on drain and EA10 on tempest ???

[@DazzleKoi]

Hi mate, you need to use the 'bucket test' method to determine flow accurately without a meter. Divert your filter return flow in to a tub (the bigger the better) of known volume and time how long it takes to fill to the known volume. You can then say, for example, 50 litres takes 55 seconds to fill so 3272 litres will flow per hour.

[@user-vb1oj4wx6s]

Brilliant m8 just wanted to know you talked about water movement I have a 3 tier 900mm wide bakki shower next to that I have a return pipe if I put a elbow on it submerged to create water movement how far down do I need to go with the elbow to create that essential water movement I have a 4 inch bottom drain and wide mouth skimmer nexus 200 running with evo 10000 pump and bakki shower also on 10000 pump your valuable experience would be much appreciated thankyou

[@DazzleKoi]

Hi mate, its hard to say but even just angling it at 45 degrees at the surface helps a lot. If you mean you will have pipework in the water I would recommend using rubber boots as your koi will inevitably bang themselves on it at some point. You could experiment with the return by adding something after your filter that you can see and watch how it moves when it is returned to the pond. Clay is useful for that.

[@mike27176]

Hi, excellent video and thank you. I've had several small ponds over there year but have just bought my first home and will be starting my Koi pond soon. It will be block raised pond, insulated and about 3500 litres. What filter system am I best at looking at? I have a budget of £500 ish. Any advice given is appreciated as its my own first Koi pond and want to do it well. Thanks

[@mike27176]

The budget is for just the filter not including the bottom drain or anything else. There is a lot on the market at not sure what is the best option.

[@DazzleKoi]

Hi Michael, sorry I'm miles behind with my messages at the moment. I think you would be very happy with an eazy pod and a tempest to be honest. You can pick up second hand pods for around £250. If you are gravity fed to the pod and then the pump (a 10,000 variable pump is ideal) to the tempest and back to the pond.

[@damianlythgoe6174]

Daz, Got loads from this thanks! One question.. Medi clay? Is it worth the money or a waste (I’ve read loads of good stuff about it) and is it ok to use it in a pressurised filter? I’ve read it can block some filters and cause issues?

[@DazzleKoi]

Hi mate, I'm not a fan of clay to be honest. I remember it starting to appear about 25 years ago and I looked at it and could find no perceivable benefit from it. I always ask people who use it to tell me of a tangible benefit and nobody ever can. Koi get all the minerals they will ever need from their food so I dont see any point adding more as its just left behind in your system. Some talk about a mechanical filtration benefit in that they say it helps take fines out. I can see the science behind this but for me its just a one hit effect and if fines are an issue I would much rather address the problem permanently than add clay every few days to compensate for filter shortcomings. So its not for me but many do swear by it.

[@orfeyo130]

While I totally agree with everything you've said I have to say that it even if you follow everything you've said and have the best of everything you will still get parasites, you will still get bad water from time to time and you'll still lose fish. All I'll say is get what you can afford and enjoy the hobby👍

[@DazzleKoi]

Hi mate, I can't disagree for the most part. I think its about minimising the chances of running in to an issue. I have had flukes when I first built this pond and I had costia when I first built my first pond 26 years ago but other than that no issues. I've never lost one yet, touch wood.

[@diddygreen5077]

I think kh is the one of the most Single important water parameter . to be Checking on a weekly basis

[@johnrodgers2750]

Hi good video what’s your thoughts on feeding during the night

[@DazzleKoi]

Hi Joh and thank you. I'll be honest, I have never actually considered this. If I'm running an autofeeder I have always only ever fed during the day but I dont see any reason you couldn't feed at night as well. I'll give this some more thought for sure 👍👍🍻👍👍

[@goplanit]

Biggest mistake I ever made when I moved from 2 x multi-bays (which were fantastic but I absolutely hated cleaning) to a single Nexus 300. Absolutely nothing wrong with the Nexus, it's still on my system but the claim of 7500 gallons is ludicrous. My pond is is just shy of 7500g and I had all sorts of problems. Now have sieve, Bakki shower (genuine) and 2 beads, it's now spot on, easy cleaning. I have considered a drum but what's the point if what I have works.

[@DazzleKoi]

Hi Mal, yes I definitely agree, 7500 gallons might be ok if you have no koi or just 1 or 2 but in reality anyone investing in a pond of that size is going to have a good number of sizeable koi in it. I ran 2 x nexus 210's on 5000 gallons many years ago and that worked well although I did add a little bead on the skimmer line to polish the water. Tim talked me out of a 310 at the time in favour of the 2 210's and I'm glad he did. It also worked out well as it meant one filter per bottom drain.

[@feylights166]

Just moved into a house with koi. I love them, but I have never owned koi before. I don't think the pond was built with a bottom drain, though it does have a watefall and pump. What food brand(s) would you suggest?

[@DazzleKoi]

Sounds good, if you run in to any issues just give me a shout. I don't pretend to know everything but I can usually find someone who knows if I don't. I always recommend hikari foods, particularly their wheatgerm product. They aren't the cheapest but I think its fair to say they are generally considered to be the best.

[@feylights166]

@@DazzleKoi I found Hikari foods on Amazon. I know you're not always getting the "real deal" on Amazon when you buy food, so is Amazon a good place to buy Hikari?

[@DazzleKoi]

Hi there, yes I would like to think that what you purchase on amazon is the real deal. Compared to some sources it is generally more reliable and less prone to con men 👍👍

[@NielsTichelaar]

My tank is overstocked for sure. but I do have amazing water conditions. do more water change than most. clean mech filters every day.

[@DazzleKoi]

Hi mate, I think most of us are overstocked to be honest. Its very hard to resist 'just one more' 😁

[@richardthurston92]

HAD KOI FOR 40YEARS SOUND ADVICE WELL DONE RICH CAMBRIDGE

[@DazzleKoi]

Cheers Rich, much appreciated 🍻🍻🍻

[@sabrinabrooks6696]

Can you use a 10gallon don't have backlard

[@davyboii2402]

What would you say is a good food for koi?

[@DazzleKoi]

Hi pal, definitely saki hikari is the best food you can feed, no question. It doesn't come cheap though unfortunately. I feed hikari growth all year round.

[@ERS1228]

❤❤❤

[@tonifenton6192]

what is the microscope for??

[@DazzleKoi]

Hi there, if you have koi you will need a microscope at some point to examine mucus scrapes to determine what parasites they have. Unfortunately it is inevitable that they will suffer from one or more parasite infestation and when they do you need to diagnose very quickly to have the best chance of saving them.

[@mirola73]

Just fixed the spare thing, bought a spare pump.

[@eckworth]

do you know what flow rate a Nexus 220 would be with an EZ500i pond please I have a variable pump up 4000-gallon push , hope you can help, please

[@DazzleKoi]

Hi Gary, yes a nexus 220 runs optimally at 6000 to 6500 litres per hour. Any faster or slower and its not running at its best. It doesnt matter what size your pond is, the optimum flow doesnt change as your filter doesnt know how big your pond is. Flow more and you will sacrifice performance, flow less and you will sacrifice performance.

[@eckworth]

@@DazzleKoi on a variable pump between 1 to 100. What do you think I should sell it at 30 I’m sorry I’m really new at this so I’m I’m looking for a help.

[@DazzleKoi]

Hi Gary, its hard to sat as they all vary depending on back pressure. Some handle it better than others. Also, you dont say what output the pump is. For a 10,000 I would try 75 and measure it. For a 20,000 I'd start around 40

[@isiVideo]

Great list! I need a microscope...

[@mark33545]

Ofc i watch this video 3 days after my pond is finished and i let them talk me out of a bottom drain. If i would have saw this video first, i would have insisted.

[@DazzleKoi]

aghhh, nightmare!! Its not the end of the world mate, you can make it work, you just need to be aware of the potential issues and you will need to work a bit harder but you'll be fine 👍👍

[@mark33545]

@@DazzleKoi I'm not sure its that bad. I have a natural pond more popular here in the USA. I have pea gravel at the bottom. It seems the way we do it here is every year we take the fish out and clean it out. I guess that is the price you pay if you want the natural pond look.

[@Djst-zv1sv]

Bought koi from dodgy places fish died bought a dodgy filter was inadequate

[@DazzleKoi]

Sadly this is how it goes for most new people to the hobby. Most, myself included, learn the hard way

[@gerritdevos4707]

My opinion is that n koi pond without a bottom drain is not a koi pond.

[@DazzleKoi]

I'm with you mate but its not always possible. physical or financial factors mean many people have to run without them.

[@richardwalker6647]

Bit sad ur getting rid of one fish ,from a well cared for pond 😥

[@DazzleKoi]

Hi Richard, it is mate, but if I can find it a good home its definitely better than running in to problems for all the others due to having too many in there.

[@NielsTichelaar]

Cleaning my mechanical filter everyday, ;(

[@DazzleKoi]

Good stuff mate. Have you seen any benefit since you started doing this?

[@gerritdevos4707]

Lack of Oxygen was my fatal mistake.

[@DazzleKoi]

You won6t be alone mate. It still amazes me how few people test their dissolved oxygen level.

[@Bikecampcook]

My golden rules 1) Only listen and follow Mike Snaden's advice. 2) Don't but anything made by EA 3) Only fit a Quality drum filter ( Oase - Profi drum - Red label ) less work and more fun and cost less in the long run.

[@peterspuddleskoiandgoldfish]

Great advice mate

[@DazzleKoi]

Thanks Paul, I appreciate that 👍👍🍻🍻👍👍