Its Come down to this😕 A little talk about my KOI & what the future holds

In this video, I discuss what this whole experience of dealing with bacteria in my KOI has been like, where my Koi pond is at now, what fish I have left and what I plan inmoving forwards.
Music by: www.bensound.com
License code: YLZX8JKHRBYCOUHV

[@LauMagroTheFrenchKOInection]

Horrible to go through that. But hopefully you have passed the worst. All you can do is get back into a routine of weekly cleaning the drum and let this year ride with your five fish. And see what next spring brings. I can only imagine how this has knocked you. But you will get there. let this year till next spring ride it's course. And hopefully everything will be fine. Take care

[@UpNorthKoiPond]

Thanks Lau, a hard lesson to learn but 🤞 there's light at the end of the road. 😊

[@LauMagroTheFrenchKOInection]

@@UpNorthKoiPond there is always light at the end of the tunnel. The greatest koi keepers went through a lot of problems to be where they are at now and still encounter problems at times. Keep going. You'll get there.

[@VoodooKOIuk]

Hi Si. I’ve only just found your channel. I Feel for you. I had a similar issue many years ago and I’m now having something brewing in my pond at the moment. I’m sure the showers are the root of most of these bacterial issues. When I ran a nexus I’d only have one or two parasites cause a problem over a 6/7 year period and the treatment would do the job. Now I’m having constant battles with flukes and the secondary problems from them. I’m currently building another koi pond and I’m gonna be dismantling our filter system once it’s done so keen to see what’s in the shower. Hope things settle down and enjoy the show. I won’t be there this year as working 😢

[@keepingitkoi]

Sorry Si 😢 you did your best mate but I think you made the right decision. Let's hope this is the end of it 🤞 Also why not just add some sponges to your shower that you can whip out every now and then and clean em just a thought 👍

[@martydrummond9538]

Alright mate, we had the same problem a few year back and we gave everything a complete PP clean, it seamed to help the fish long term and we added some pure pond bomb, we actively added it a few times a year and the fish are in great shape Keep your chin up mate

[@UpNorthKoiPond]

Hi buddy, unfortunately in my case the infection was in the fish's blood stream. Any external chemicals wouldn't have cured the fish. On the upside, it was a learning experience and now the pond is moving forwards fantastic 👍

[@linzi6778]

I've just treated mine for white spot only 1 had it on the tail fin does this for 5 days now with anti-fungal & fungus.. my biggest koi is 22 inch x I have 2 sturgeon aswel as a new keeper 25 years ago I lost a few big fish x it's absolutely 💯 gut renching x best of luck x

[@UpNorthKoiPond]

Thank you Linzi🙂

[@markhutchinson9860]

Hopefully you are on the right side of things . It’s very hard work going through this we are on the same journey as you’re self lost loads holes in the fish it’s been a battle. Massive thanks to you for the drum video and cleaning we did exactly the same as yourself re drum filter. We’ve done the injections as you have . Ct plus salt at the same time. . Shower now runs through a sieve Jack Matt in the top tight fitting clean once a week with power wash the Jack Matt . Then Bacci house media. … keep up the great work it keeps us all going!!

[@CoopersKoi]

Simon, hard but true! Feel for you mate I lost all mine 2 years ago after 25 years, but like you "dust yourself off and start again". Thank you for your honest updates all the best going forward 🏍🏍🏍

[@TelfordKoiPond]

Frank and honest as always Si👍. Sorry you’ve gone through this but you’ve made decisions that are right for you and your pond so no one can criticise what you’ve done👍. Very sad that others have also gone through the same thing , can only hope that they have/are doing the same research and investigation that you did, fingers crossed we can all learn something from your experience 🤞. Keep up the good work sir, hope to see you at the Coventry show😊👍

[@UpNorthKoiPond]

Thanks Phil, genuinely a horrible experience that I wouldn't wish on anybody. 🤞 the worst is over and I can move forwards. Love to catch you at the show👍

[@marmar3431]

Hi mate. I found myself in exactly the same position last year. A long time collection. Most had to be uthanased be me. I had 2 fish left from 15 at the end. This year, I dropped and sterilised the whole system. I got 5 new fish from a trusted dealer and put them in a newly set up pond. I hated the thought of killing my last 2 koi that both looked healthy, so after 6 weeks, I added them also. So far, I have 7 very healthy growing koi.its strange, but they dont feel like my fish. It's like im just looking after them. Maby we would all feel like that if our collection was taken away. I think this is a bigger problem that anyone is prepared to say. Worse than KHV. Marti

[@dorsetkoipond]

Great sad video mate but you tried everything you could 🙁👌㊗️㊗️㊗️

[@UpNorthKoiPond]

Cheers Kev👍

[@koiinthepond]

Don’t beat yourself up. I went to a pond last week. 12 years old he had 2 kockney koi box filters he had not cleaned for 12 years since he opened his pond. Fish are all over 80cm. So all this where people say filters are harbouring muck. I can’t work out why we have these problems with clean ponds yet them with no maintenance get away with it

[@babybuilder9703]

You’ve raised a really good point. The thing is constant cleaning, scraping, and medicating destroys the ecology and the natural balance of bacteria …and along with it the health of the fish. These little guys have had so many rounds of antibiotics now, their microbiome (immune system) must be decimated x

[@UpNorthKoiPond]

Well, it is what it is. They get used to their surroundings I guess, but a filthy environment will never facilitate koi to retain their quality if they ever had it. When we spend hundreds on a fish, we want to ensure/try and give them the best

[@babybuilder9703]

It’s obvious that you’re absolutely trying to do the best for your fish. … but there has to be a balance. Antibiotics destroy the good bacteria which are often more delicate and you actually end up causing a growth in pathogenic bacteria as there are few good bacteria left to keep them in check. Rather than adding yet another antibacterial treatment, I would flood your pond with good probiotic bacteria. Microbe lift thera P is excellent… Bactoplus also do a lactobacillus. In your situation I would use both. This way you boost the mictohiome in the pond and the fishes immune system at the same time rather than yet another treatment that will suppress it. You can’t maintain a pristine healthy environment for fish without the good bacteria.

[@UpNorthKoiPond]

@babybuilder9703 thanks for the reply, I shall put your advice to Dr Paula Reynolds to get her take on it👍

[@babybuilder9703]

@@UpNorthKoiPond I have no doubt that Dr Reynolds is incredibly knowledgeable in her field but despite all that expertise she still didn’t manage to save your fish ….so it has to be time for a different approach….. (‘the definition of insanity is trying the same thing over and over again and expecting different results’ as they say). We are only just beginning to understand the viral role of our own microbiome wrt to keeping ourselves healthy and fish are no different. Your 5 remaining fish clearly aren’t susceptible to the same invasive illness that the rest succumbed to. The microbiome plays a vital part part in the integrity of the membranes that prevent otherwise commonly occurring bacteria getting on the inside. Once that integrity has been damaged, often by the use of fairly toxic treatments, the microbiome within their slime coat is compromised and then they are susceptible to these bacteria invading internally. These 5 remaining robust fish will 100% benefit from their own microbiome being boosted rather than yet another antibacterial treatment that could potentially compromise this again. JMHO but I study holistic pathology in humans and we aren’t that much different. X

[@paulwelling8243]

Feel for you fella , I’m fairly new to this hobby and been through it myself. This hobby seems to have so many ups and downs, things seem to always keep changing no matter what you stick to in a pond. But keep your chin up fella you have years of experience and the good times will return, as too will new fish.

[@UpNorthKoiPond]

Thanks Paul🙂

[@koikarma5363]

You did your best for them Si dont be hard on yourself lets hope your through the worst and can build for a better future 👍👍🚀🚀

[@UpNorthKoiPond]

Cheers Rocket boy🚀👍

[@PhilGsKoiPond]

Thinking of you Si you’ve lost some stunning koi but done the right thing & you’re still left with some stunners so fingers crossed you can see light at the end of a very long tunnel. Hopefully See you Sunday mate… 😎👍🏻

[@UpNorthKoiPond]

Thanks Phil, I'll rebuild slowly. I'll be there, see you then👍

[@shaunleonard8146]

Keep the uploads coming Si,I want to see you enjoying the Great Hobby again.

[@UpNorthKoiPond]

Whilst ever there's water in the pond there'll be something in it😊

[@royfoord3595]

This hobby such a rollercoaster maté keep the faith

[@UpNorthKoiPond]

Thanks, it sure can👍

[@lawrencemcnally3164]

Simon I feel for you , I have had koi for over 35 years, yes I have lost the odd one but my fish are over 30 years old, but I have never had bad problems, johnnys lost his what's going on ,I have a multibay system 2000 gall ,but no problems, I feel for you ❤

[@UpNorthKoiPond]

Just complacency on my side I think. It was a situation that could have been avoided, that goes for everybody in the same situation. We live and learn, and hopefully don't make the same mistakes 👍

[@CescaTheDarkHorse]

Feel gutted for you Simon all the best for the future 👍

[@UpNorthKoiPond]

Thanks Cesca😊

[@GazsKoiPond]

Gutted for ya Si mate we will all be at the show, next suday hope to see you there, and all the best with the koi fella 👌👍👍

[@UpNorthKoiPond]

Cheers Gaz, I'll be there Sunday so hopefully catch you then!👍

[@IcenI_Koi]

Heart goes out to you Si, you know what I mean bro, have a decent week fella.

[@UpNorthKoiPond]

Thanks😊

[@virunews]

Hi, you bacterial videos are the best i have seen on anyone. 1) No one wants to help you with this 2) Hard to get help. Can i talk to you please? Need your help at at-least pick your brans

[@UpNorthKoiPond]

@virunews I can certainly try to help to the best of my capabilities and give you my experiences, sure no problem.

[@virunews]

@@UpNorthKoiPond Is there a way to reach out to you? If you want, I can put my No on one of my videos?

[@herefishy-fishy-fishyyy5578]

You are doing the correct thing!! Be interesting to see how big you can get them. Rather have 5 bigger fish than 20 little ones!! Wish other would take your advice!

[@UpNorthKoiPond]

Thank you, it was a tough decision but I think it was the right call.❤👍

[@timgooch4933]

Jesus, how hard that must have been, Simon gutted for you mate! You still have a cracking pond and system, yes agree waiting game try to keep positive 👍 👍

[@UpNorthKoiPond]

Thank you Tim👍

[@CBersPond]

Sad times Si 😢 Hope the others are doing well. See you at the show hopefully.

[@UpNorthKoiPond]

Thanks Keith, the others seem fine🤞👍 see you Sunday

[@1973cashy]

You have done everything you can and more mate. Hats off to you. I hope you see an end to it. 👍🏻

[@UpNorthKoiPond]

Thanks Cashy👍

[@westbromkoi]

Gutted for you Si buddy. I feel you've made the right call culling those few, you look like you're in a better place mentally with it all, sorry you've had to go through it tho pal

[@daleshelton7981]

Hi pal I have a three homemade barrel system with all plastic media, some moving some static. I clean mine out religiously every Saturday morning and in a straight sort of way I quite like doing it. Plus I know it’s clean. You’ll bounce back kid 👍

[@UpNorthKoiPond]

Yeah it is good to get hands on. A drum was the best option for myself with this pond though as I spend quite a bit of time away from home

[@Harrycapon1026]

Feel for you Simon I have been following your journey for 12 months I think you have gone above and beyond for your fish and I did say to my wife 2 weeks ago that the best thing would be to euthanasia the fish. Hope to meet you at the show. All the best Harry

[@UpNorthKoiPond]

Thanks Harry, that means a lot. Hopefully meet you in Coventry 👍

[@alexbull378]

I had the same problem with my shower straight from skimmer now got a tempest before the shower and fine sponge in top tier to stop the muck . Hope everything works out for you every day is a school day in this hobby.

[@UpNorthKoiPond]

Thanks Alex, I did consider a Tempest but the problem is getting enough flow through it for the shower to work as a shower. For a shower to be anywhere near effective they really need 15,000 litres plus over them, and I believe the tempest is only rated for 7000?

[@reece2479]

This is happening way too often now. I had the same 2/3 years back and had to euthanise the lot. Absolutely gutted got you.. I find it mad the lack of options we have to treat stuff like this.

[@UpNorthKoiPond]

Yeah there aren't many options or much help, all the more reason for us to do everything we can to prevent it becoming a problem. Live and learn and move forward 👍

[@koidream54]

so sorry to hear this mate😢

[@UpNorthKoiPond]

Thanks👍

[@skeggy]

Chin up mate hard call but the best one. Don't be too hard on yourself

[@UpNorthKoiPond]

Thanks Skegster👍 you going on Sunday?

[@skeggy]

@@UpNorthKoiPond I am mate see you there 👍

[@peterspuddleskoiandgoldfish]

Lost all my koi last season, stripped my liner out and bleached the whole system,replaced the liner and just got goldfish at themoment ,but good luck Si

[@UpNorthKoiPond]

Thank you😊 it's horrible when it happens

[@myboyskoi]

Really hope you are past it now mate 🙏

[@UpNorthKoiPond]

Thanks Danny, me too👍 might see you at the National?

[@myboyskoi]

@@UpNorthKoiPondI'm there on Saturday mate you?

[@UpNorthKoiPond]

​@myboyskoi aahh, I'm going Sunday😢 maybe catch you at the next one!

[@myboyskoi]

@@UpNorthKoiPond I'll be at Newark mate definitely 👍

[@andrewstandley3964]

Sorry to hear you have ended loosing your fish

[@UpNorthKoiPond]

Thank you, I'll bounce back😊

[@terencegander8342]

Feel for you mate had a similar problem my started with a little red dot which I left to see if it would heal it just stay there 3 weeks went past still there so I got it out cleaned it up then the shit hit the fan it just got worse and worse Turner, in to a big ulcer ended up, getting it to the vets was cheap had to pay for a bacteria swab and antibiotics which he gave and then, and I had to give it tablets for three days which is pretty hard when the koi keeps spitting them out it’s all healed up now the second fish I had I had to euthanise it was to far gone

[@AndysKoiPuddle]

Must’ve been a nightmare for you Si…..😢 Looks like you may have reached the other side of it now tho… 🤞🏼 Just sadly means you can’t add any new koi for a while….. 😔 Enjoy the show, would love to go, but can’t make it.

[@UpNorthKoiPond]

That's a shame, maybe next time! I'm in no rush to add anymore, I'll make sure the pond is right first👍

[@AndysKoiPuddle]

@@UpNorthKoiPond . Absolutely Si, hopefully next time mate… 👍🏼

[@bobbyknox9258]

Feel for ya mate. I've been there. I realised about 10 years ago things had to change. Nobody knows where it comes from 100% of the time. I totally redone mine. Seriously think about rerouting your shower feed to the clean side of the drum. Coz in theory straight from the skimmer with larger particles in it your creating a massive shit strainer. And is it possible to get a moving bed in there that can hold at least 200lts of moving media?

[@UpNorthKoiPond]

The skimmer used to feed into the drum, but unfortunately the drum only has one outlet so it comprises flow on the bottom drain. Plans are in place to increase the size of the moving bed, but at this moment in time, the amount of media I can fit in it can currently support the feeding rates.

[@bobbyknox9258]

@@UpNorthKoiPond you could fit another bulkhead to the clean side of the drum and use a smaller pump to pull through the moving bed. My flow through the moving bed is not even half of what is going over the shower. You could even try teeing off of the shower line to put some through the moving bed. I realised I needed to be overkill for when they grew. That bacterial issue sucks man. Hope that's the worst of it bud

[@UpNorthKoiPond]

​@bobbyknox9258 it's something to think about👍

[@bobbyknox9258]

@@UpNorthKoiPond I know you probably know all that but you never know. Someone might say something in the comments that might never have passed your mind. The beauty of youtube ay

[@chazkoi]

Fingers crossed for you mate 🤞🏻

[@UpNorthKoiPond]

Thank you👍

[@Chequr_Prostate]

I’m starting to think that the pond man is right, our ponds are probably too clean and they are not making enough good bacteria. I have a little pond with koi with the foam filters and I don’t get problems with it. My pond which had an Eazy pod and now has a drum, and I have had three koi all from the same dealer that have had ulcer problems, two of which have died. The third one I think I just about saved it, but it’s took a battering. Now is it the media or was it a dealer fish problem, I don’t know. But I’m going to monitor it all year and see what the results are. But chasing around in circles every day trying to save your fish is exhausting.

[@UpNorthKoiPond]

Make no mistake about it, there's nothing good about allowing filters to build up with s**t and crap. All it does is encourage bad situations by creating excess ammonia from decaying organics and creates an Anoxic environment. I don't believe in a pond can be too clean, it's how you avoid bacterial issues in the first place.

[@Chequr_Prostate]

@@UpNorthKoiPond I think it’s about having a balanced pond just like you would in the wild, look at the you tube videos of old never maintained ponds completely green, with inches of silt and yet when cleaned out, they are full of healthy fish. If you don’t have enough beneficial bacteria in your pond, then the bad bacterial could take over your pond. I’m no expert, but nature doesn’t have clean ponds, granted they are bigger volumes of water. But who knows?

[@popseyskoi2141]

Hey simondo feel for you buddy 😢

[@UpNorthKoiPond]

Thanks Pops😊

[@johndunn7763]

Gutted for you Si mate 😢

[@japankoiimport]

hi Simon please talk to Paula about getting your pond above 31 degrees as this will should kill Aeromonas Bacteria in your pond and fish , please speak to her she is a wealth of knowledge as you have found out i know you may have been given tons of advice from peoples comments but all i ask that you do is ask Paula about 31 degrees PLUS as i have done this in the past as Paula has suggested and it has worked. admittedly it is easier for me as i have insulated quarantine facilities and you have an open pond but if you can cover it at an appropriate time you can achieve it but it will cost you in electricity, i saw my customer who had to do the same thing last year and he has seen your videos and he agrees with me if you can do it GO FOR IT as he said it was mentally destroying him ( I AM SORRY TO HAVE TO SAY THAT ) but i only mean it in the kindest way, all the very best Mark

[@UpNorthKoiPond]

Thanks Mark, I will certainly speak to her about it. I'm just curious why she wouldn't have mentioned it in the first place as she knows I have a heater on the pond...

[@japankoiimport]

@@UpNorthKoiPond please give me a ring on the office number and will give all advice FOC you seem to be a really nice chap and if i can help i will, i am a sith generation livestock farmer from Cambridgeshire and all i want to do is help another VICTIM of Aeromonas it is bloody horrible, although you are UP NORTH i am not that far away and i will be definitely worth you while to drive down an speak in person and i can give you REAL advice on your pond which i cannot print on the internet as manufactures would CASTRATE me Mark JAPAN KOI IMPORT, just google my reviews

[@japankoiimport]

@@UpNorthKoiPond P.S i am useless on the computer and struggle with the internet-type stuff , i dont put stuff up on the internet as ther are so many EXPERTS with different opinions as they have their pond which works for them,i have approximately 500 to 700 customers and NO TWO ponds are the same and there is no perfect filter and no perfect pump etc give me a ring and we can chat FOC

[@jamesnguyen7069]

now thats just sad

[@UpNorthKoiPond]

Cheers👍

[@paulsmith9869]

🫶

[@UpNorthKoiPond]

Thanks paul👍

[@dtkoinew]

Chin up si everyone needs to know that drum filters ain't maintance free but it's very gutting that you lost so many mate

[@UpNorthKoiPond]

Thanks Dave👍

[@shaunleonard8146]

Hi Mate, Horrible. Death sentence for some.

[@UpNorthKoiPond]

Cheers Shaun