Update, QT/growing on tank

[MitchR]

Well gang,
The 300 gall QT has been up and running about 4 months or so now and its already paid for itself. Last night i transfered back to my main pond completely healed the last of 3 kohaku's that got injured durin the long hard winter. I feel sure that without being able to treat these fish at 24C i would have lost all of them, so at a cost of approx £250 its been a worthwhile investment.
Furthermore,
It's now home to my N.W.K.S. G&S Chag and 4 small babies bought from Richdon that i'll be growing on to put in the main pond next spring, i've took some photo's so will keep you updated of there progress.
So i know a lot of the koi books recomend a QT and i would say its money absolutely well spent. For the cost consious amongst us, mine came second hand of flea-bay and i moded the filtration and pipework to suit my own requirements, ie static and fluidised K1 and valving so all pipe runs are in isolation.It sports a bottom drain, UV and loads of air, which i believe essential for koi development.
All the best .................Mitch.

[site admin]

Hi Buddy,
Just go's to show what Temperature,Good water, and good food can sort out.
Now just keep an eye on the parameters, and do regular maintenance and the others will grow well, should see a 50cm Chag at the very least by next spring.

Please do not post any photo's of the G&S, the others would love to see them.

I have now closed down my growing on setup, as I have enough Koi in the main pond.
It was a real learning experience seeing how they develop, any growing on system must have enough room for them to grow/develop, good water maintenance and plenty of filtration. I have grown koi from 3" to 18" over the Winter no problem, it's just about trying to time it right to get them ready to go out to the pond, before they get too big for the tank.

Dave.

[ian m]

Mitch,

If your anything like me you'll get loads of enjoyment watching the little things develop. Really had high hopes for a couple of mine until the problems recently. Anyway as you know a few more are now growing on. Those chag's are certainly hungry little things. Dave, 50cm it will be that by Xmas.

What Dave says about timing is totally right though, I'm trying this year to grow mine on slower than last year, last year i had 4 in the growing on tank and had to move two out at Xmas time to give the others room.

Ian