Koi Guides

Practical koi and pond guides written from the counter at our San Jose facility, where we have been importing and keeping Japanese Nishikigoi since 1998. Real numbers, honest trade-offs, and advice we would give you in person.

Koi Quarantine: How to Quarantine New Koi Fish

Tom Lai

A four-week koi quarantine protocol with the numbers that matter: 74-78°F, 150 gallons, salt at 0.3%, one praziquantel course and the release criteria we use before a fish joins the...

Koi Quarantine: How to Quarantine New Koi Fish

Tom Lai

A four-week koi quarantine protocol with the numbers that matter: 74-78°F, 150 gallons, salt at 0.3%, one praziquantel course and the release criteria we use before a fish joins the...

Koi Pond Water Treatments and Medications: A Pr...

Tom Lai

Water chemistry first, medications second: the numbers to hold, what conditioners and salt actually do, and a symptom table for working out what is wrong before you dose.

Koi Pond Water Treatments and Medications: A Pr...

Tom Lai

Water chemistry first, medications second: the numbers to hold, what conditioners and salt actually do, and a symptom table for working out what is wrong before you dose.

Pond Skimmers, Covers and Netting: The Two Buys...

Tom Lai

Sizing a pond skimmer by surface area, where to place it, what leaf litter really costs you in filter load and spring ammonia, and predator protection that works on an...

Pond Skimmers, Covers and Netting: The Two Buys...

Tom Lai

Sizing a pond skimmer by surface area, where to place it, what leaf litter really costs you in filter load and spring ammonia, and predator protection that works on an...

Koi Pond Winter Care: De-Icers, Heaters and Win...

Tom Lai

A month-by-month winter plan, from the last autumn water change to the spring restart, with de-icer sizing, running costs and the heating decision made honestly.

Koi Pond Winter Care: De-Icers, Heaters and Win...

Tom Lai

A month-by-month winter plan, from the last autumn water change to the spring restart, with de-icer sizing, running costs and the heating decision made honestly.

A row of Aqua UV Ultima II bead filters plumbed in PVC at Champion Nishikigoi's San Jose koi facility.

Koi Pond Filter and Filtration Buyer's Guide: S...

Tom Lai

Halve the advertised gallon rating, stage mechanical before biological, and learn to read the six symptoms that tell you a filter has stopped keeping up. With verified specs and a...

Koi Pond Filter and Filtration Buyer's Guide: S...

Tom Lai

Halve the advertised gallon rating, stage mechanical before biological, and learn to read the six symptoms that tell you a filter has stopped keeping up. With verified specs and a...

Koi Pond Pump and Aeration Buyer's Guide: Sizin...

Tom Lai

A pump feeds your filter; an air pump keeps koi breathing when the pump stops. Turnover math, total dynamic head, verified wattages and what to buy at 1,000, 3,000 and...

Koi Pond Pump and Aeration Buyer's Guide: Sizin...

Tom Lai

A pump feeds your filter; an air pump keeps koi breathing when the pump stops. Turnover math, total dynamic head, verified wattages and what to buy at 1,000, 3,000 and...