what is perfect water

markf1fan · 21-09-2011, 09:24 PM

Hi all

Well as we know, alot of people have been posting on here to do with bakki showers, so what would we call perfect water. Alot has been said about BHM and other media's. so what is it that BHM media does to the water which other media does not? Why do bakki showers with BHM help with growth and the skin on koi. Do we have to run RO water to get good growth rates?

Will be interesting to see the answer's

Mark

Doghouse Riley · 21-09-2011, 11:08 PM

In my opinion, we can get too hung up on types of filter. There's no "right way or wrong way," just the way that works for you.

Basically, we want to remove coarse solids before they get to the filter, then fine particles and then have a medium which given enough time, gets the biological part to act. However I'm a firm believer of getting rid of the coarse solids before they get anywhere near the filter. I have a 40 gall pump sump, which with the use of a standpipe I can flush that amount of crud from the bottom drain and connecting 4" pipe in about 3 seconds. I do this at least twice a week at this time of year and believe me, it does need doing, despite the filter pump being an Oase Aquamax 8500.

How we achieve filtration, isn't important. I'm on the old and unfashionable open-cell foam and Flowcore, have been for 25 years, but my filter is around 160 gallons. I appreciate much smaller modern filters can do equally as good a job.
We need a UV to keep our water from going green and we need to ensure we're putting enough air into it. I'd say that the latter is one of the greatest aids to growth.
I also believe in trickle changing the water 24/7. At this rate tap water is fine as the chlorine is easily dissipated, it's also helpful if you're in a soft water area.
I find with a constant trickle change, I've no need to do water tests "every five minutes." There's practically very little variation ever, when I do conduct them.

Gazfish · 22-09-2011, 02:42 PM

Hi Mark,

Well i am not sure if perfect water is just to do with Bakki Showers and is a good subject but and there is always a but

The first question has to be what is perfect water or what a a koi keeper you think good water is ????????

Davej · 22-09-2011, 02:51 PM

Mark

It does hinge on what you want from the hobby.

For me - “Water that creates a healthy environment in which Koi will thrive, fulfill and maintain their potential“.

Filtration media, filters and water supply are only parts of the overall equation and can’t really be taken in isolation; you need to look at things in their entirety.

Dave

muttley · 22-09-2011, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gazfish

Hi Mark,

Well i am not sure if perfect water is just to do with Bakki Showers and is a good subject but and there is always a but

The first question has to be what is perfect water or what a a koi keeper you think good water is ????????

As above

Gazfish · 22-09-2011, 02:54 PM

Hi Dave,

Funny i think we spoke about this stuff last night

Davej · 22-09-2011, 03:04 PM

Gaz

Yes was stimulating and has given me a few ideas

Dave

Gazfish · 22-09-2011, 03:07 PM

Hi Dave,

Your always up to something i don't know how you get the time

markf1fan · 22-09-2011, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gazfish

Hi Mark,

Well i am not sure if perfect water is just to do with Bakki Showers and is a good subject but and there is always a but

The first question has to be what is perfect water or what a a koi keeper you think good water is ????????

I am to believe that good water is that it has no ammonia and no nitrite in.

What i dont understand is why should a bakki shower with BHM give more growth to fish when on a pond. what is it that a bakki shower does for water that a bead filter or nexus does not.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davej

Mark

It does hinge on what you want from the hobby.

For me - “Water that creates a healthy environment in which Koi will thrive, fulfill and maintain their potential“.

Filtration media, filters and water supply are only parts of the overall equation and can’t really be taken in isolation; you need to look at things in their entirety.

Dave

I have a 2400 gallon pond of which i want to be able to buy fish and see them grow very well and improve in many ways.
I have a bead filter that filters 6000 gallons does this mean it will give me good water for a 2400 gallon pond.

I want to learn what it is that we really need to give our koi to thrive and fulfill their potential.

Gazfish · 22-09-2011, 08:51 PM

Hi Mark,

If you was to stick a Bakki Shower (by Bakki Shower i mean with BHM) on a pond do you think this will make your fish grow big on its own ?

There are many many things going on in a pond and its not just the filter that has a part to play on getting the full potential from a fish. Water is the key and getting good water can be a tough job depending on set ups and of course what the incoming water supply is like.

You filter is good for a 6,000gln system so would you happily run it on a 6,000gln pond stocked with koi ?

Many filters say they will do xxxgls but in reality your lucky to get half and most of them are tested on light loaded ponds with minimal food so imagine on a heavy stocked pond with heavy feeding. This is where the problems start and people become disappointed that they cant get the full potential from there fish and wonder why.

Then we have the maintenance side and making sure you can keep the system clean and free from waste and toxins with good bacteria doing their job and keeping everything spot on. So regular cleaning is essential and some filtration needs more cleaning than others and of course a good supply of fresh water frequently.

So as we can see a fair amount to think about already and thats without even thinking about the DNA/Genetics of the fish and what the parent stock are like and if they have jumbo potential or good body structure which could all be passed down to the Tosai

OK i know it looks like i am answering questions with a questions but it helps get you thinking and it keeps it interesting