North Wales Koi Soc - Grow and Show competition 2008

[Martin R]

Dear NWKS members,
As you may have heard either thru' the Newsletter, or from Colin at the last Club meeting, NWKS is gong to have its own "Grow and Show" competition in 2008

Around May / June I will pick up the Koi (probably Kohaku) from Richdon Koi and house them in a tank (completely seperate from my own pond system). The following day (Sunday) the NWKS members who have pre paid the entry fee (around £50 +/- £5) will then choose their Koi.

Details will follow, but it should be a great way of having some fun watching you Koi develope thru to 2009.
I'll need to know who wants to enter the competition show that I can reserve the fish ast Richdon. Speaking to Richard Jones, I think we'll all end up with a good quality 15-20cm Koi that will be healthy, fully QT'd and at a good price thanks to 'buying in bulk' (probably 15+ fish).
Regards
Martin

[showaboy]

Martin,
What a great Idea!
They should be good quality koi from Richdon, and a good price.
I hope every one enters, after the success of the Photo comp last year.
It should be fun,
Count me in.

Stuart

[site admin]

Martin,
I hope it takes off
How will you decide who has first pick etc.?
How long will it be before being judged.?

Dave.

[ian m]

Martin,

Already let you know we're in, great idea and a good way of getting a lovely fish.

Ian

[Martin R]

Hi Guys,
I'm still working on the exact format of the competition, with help from Colin.
What I think will happen is this:

1. Feb/March Club meetings, members will register if their entering or not. I think we should take the money early on (£50-55) so that the club is not out of pocket.
2. I'll order the Koi from Richdon, for pick up after they're QT, in May/June. I'll aim to pick up on a Saturday (will need helpers!).
3. Koi will be housed overnight in Vat at either mine or Colin's. From a Biosecurity point of view, they will NOT come into contact with our Ponds or fish
4. NWKS members will pick up their Koi on the Sunday of that weekend. Selection will either be by "Lucky Dip" (ie numered Koi, and tickets being picked out of a hat), or Members receiving a random number once they've paid, and the lowest number picks first, then the next and so on.
5. Koi will be measured and photographed before being taken away
6. Prizes will be awarded at the 2009 (note '09, not this year) NWKS Photo show for best Growth and best overall Koi. I'll try to get an independent judge, in the same way we did for the 2007 Photo Show (Tony McCann).
7. I think it would be good to have updates from Members in the NWKS Newsletter, rather than being too secretive?

Please feel free to add comments and suggestions. I'm still learning

Martin

[site admin]

Martin,
With regard to bio-security,where are you going to get the water to fill the vat?
It might sound a daft question,but will just filtered water be OK for overnight?,or should they go into mature water.
Dave.

[Martin R]

Hi Dave,

What I'd suggest is filtering the water at least 1-2 week ahead of the event, and circulating thru' a basic filter (possibly cannister type). It may even be a good idea to add a bottle of Bacterial Filter boost. Obviously, I'll ensure that there's more than enough air pumping thru' the system ( it'll qualify as the world's largest Koi Smoothie )

The time that the Koi will be in the tank should be less than 24hrs, and I know that Rich will have stopped feeding 2-3 days before pick up. If we don't feed them either, the NH4 and NO2 should remain low enough not to stress the little beauties
What do you reckon?
Martin

[site admin]

Martin,
I agree, set the tank up a week before,with purified water. As for dosing with a filter start,I don't know if it work, no ammonia to work on!!
It might be an idea prior to putting the koi in give it a dose of Kusuri-Sabbactisun (KS),excellent as an anti-stress product. I tend to use it when putting koi in my growing on tank, they really settle in well.
Maybe Rich can advise us more on this subject!

Dave.

[site admin]

Hi Everyone,
Just had photo. of the Grow and Show Koi from Japan.
These are some of the koi that will be selected for our Grow and Show.
Fill your boots

Dave.

Exclusive Tosai.jpg (30.29 KiB) Viewed 20793 times

[ian m]

So Richdon will have the little tossers this week. Martin has the tank set up ready, any dates for collection yet. Just have to find a couple more to keep it company whilst it grows, I think another trip to Richdon maybe on the cards when there latest stock comes out of quarentine.

Ian