Monthly News - June
- World of Nishikigoi
- Jun 17
- 13 min read
After a short break from monthly updates (blame the whirlwind that is magazine production and delivery season) we’re back, and there’s no shortage of koi activity to cover. June brings warmer days, koi shows, dealer events, social events, active feeding, and perfect moments to enjoy our koi… if we can see past the blanket weed and algae! So, we’ve kicked things off this month with a quick breakdown of the good, the bad, and the ugly when it comes to algae.
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly Green Stuff.
When pond temperatures rise, algae tends to make an appearance, or sometimes a full takeover! It’s wise to keep tabs on its progression and know when and how to take action, without becoming overly obsessive.
The Good. A thin layer of algae on pond walls is completely normal, and for many hobbyists we could even class it as beneficial, as it’s full of organisms that can assist filtration, and provide a natural grazing area for our koi. It can also indicate a healthy biological balance. A very experienced koi industry member once told me, “If the pond can’t grow green on the walls, it’s a dead pond and the fish will never do any good.” Take from that what you will.The
Bad. Algae blooms, caused by suspended single-cell algae. Yes, we’ve all been there - pea-green soup. It’s not dangerous, and while some koi professionals swear by its ability to help koi condition and colour - it is very unsightly and can contribute to other, not-so-welcome complications. The most significant is pH swings due to photosynthesis, which is more common in koi ponds because they aren’t the same volume as large mud-ponds/lakes. No good chasing the positive effects of green water on colour condition if your pH is always swinging and stressing the koi - it won’t do their health or their shiroji (white skin) any favours!
The Ugly Green Stuff. Excessive blanket weed growth is a common summer headache. It clogs filters, pipework, pumps and can trap waste and organic matter eventually leading to more serious issues. It tends to flourish in clear, nutrient-rich water with plenty of sunlight and does its best to ruin the visual enjoyment of any koi pond. Forget the pleasant 1-inch carpet on the walls of your pond, this is when it starts to get ugly!
What To Do.
UV clarification: A properly sized UV unit is your best defence against green water. There are various units available, including submersibles, that are very efficient at killing single-cell algae. To select the right one for your pond, pay attention to manufacturer guidelines on pond size, sunlight loading and flow rate.
Manual removal: For blanketweed, a good first step is to manually remove as much as you can. Twisting it out with a stick or net can help keep it in check and reduce the waste loading on your system. It usually is a good precursor to the following step.
Water Treatments: Treating blanket weed with a dedicated treatment is one of the most effective ways to keep your pond clear through summer. There are a few tried and tested brands out there that work well. But it does depend on your water chemistry so it’s somewhat trial and error to find the product that gets the best results for you. From my experience striking early is key to winning the good fight. If you know your pond usually suffers with blanket weed it’s best to treat it as soon as the temps start to rise. As a preventative it can do wonders for giving you a season free of the dreaded ‘Green Stuff.
Don’t go nuclear: That said, resist the urge to chuck in multiple treatments at once, or in quick succession as overcorrecting can destabilise your pond and stress your fish. Likewise always leave at least 7 days between different treatment products, to ensure they do not react or neutralise one another.
Watch your nutrients: Test pond water for nitrates and phosphates as these feed algae growth. There might be a build up due to neglected filter maintenance, insufficient water changes or excessive feeding. If you’re aiming to dilute these through water changes, check your source water as the nitrate and phosphate levels can be high and doing significant water changes will be adding to the problem! You may need to use binders or filter resins to remove them.
For many koi keeps, dealing with green stuff is just part of summer koi keeping. They accept it. However, the key is knowing when it’s tolerable and when it’s time to step in. If you’re stuck, always seek advice from professional koi dealers or your local koi club.
#New Sponsors
We’ve welcomed two new sponsors/advertisers to our lineup this month - both names many of you will already know from the UK koi scene. First up is Aqua Aeration Systems. I’ve seen Brandon and his family at various koi shows over the past few years and always come away impressed by both the quality of the products and the conversation. He’s a knowledgeable chap, and as the company name suggests, he specialises in pond aeration, specifically, premium-quality air diffusers using micro-bubble technology to improve oxygenation in aquatic systems.
If you want to see what he’s about, the best place is his stand at UK koi shows. Brandon will be exhibiting at The National Koi Show at the end of this month and promises to have plenty of stock available - air bars, rings, upgrades for Nexus filtration systems (improving efficiency), air grids for bio chambers, manifolds, valves, pipework… if it’s related to koi pond aeration, you’ll find it there. He also takes orders for bespoke designs and offers on-site installation too.
There’s no website just yet, but you can keep up with new products, services, and show appearances on the Aqua Aeration Systems Facebook page:
Our second new supporter is A4 Koi, headed up by Darren Maughan - a familiar name to many koi keepers. Darren has been travelling to Japan for years (I won’t drop his age, but it’s been a while!) to hand-pick quality koi from breeders across the southern regions of Japan. His goal? To bring back koi that have potential to flourish in the hands of UK hobbyists.
A4 Koi’s facility in Reading is designed to raise koi in top conditions, with the aim of improving their quality while they’re on site. It’s a slightly different angle compared to many retailers, as it’s focused on development, and Darren always encourages buyers to do things the old-school way: get down there, bowl them up, and have a proper chat about what you’re looking for.
A large selection of koi has just been released after completing QT, and both the website and Facebook page are regularly updated. That said, Darren is a big believer in direct contact, so if you want the most up-to-date stock info or just to talk koi, he always prefers a good old-fashioned phone call.
#The National Koi Show - 28th & 29th June
The 45th BKKS National Koi Show is on this month, kicking off the UK Koi Show season with a big bang. Taking place on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th June at the Heart of England Conference & Events Centre, Fillongley, near Coventry.
The show was the most attended koi show last year, and hopefully the organisers will see similar numbers this year. Expect to see some of the UK’s finest koi, over 35 trade stands offering all manner of koi and dry goods, plus The Dealers Show - where koi dealers go head to head. As usual, there are also raffles, auctions, plenty of parking and refreshments on site, plus activities for children (and big children!). Oh, and yes, well-behaved dogs are welcome!
Whether you're walking the vats or just browsing the trade stands, koi shows are a great opportunity to catch up with dealers, hobbyists, see high-quality koi, and soak in the koi community vibe. More details can be found here:https://www.facebook.com/TheNationalKoiShow
#Red Label UK Launch New Website
Red Label UK (manned by West Midlands Koi) have just launched their new dedicated website:redlabeldrum.co.uk.
The site is designed to showcase the full Red Label range, including drum filters, combi units, and modular filtration systems, all built with the brand’s well-known Dutch engineering and attention to detail.
It’s a welcome resource for UK hobbyists looking for straightforward info, specs, and support direct from the official distributor. Expect product breakdowns, setup guidance, and a closer look at what they believe makes the Red Label systems stand out.
Worth bookmarking for hobbyists planning a filter upgrade or just wanting to understand more about how options on the market compare. Happy researching!
#Supreme Koi - Facility Tour & Chat with Mark Chetter
If you missed it, I recently visited Mark Chetter of Supreme Koi for a full tour of his facility - including a look at his lovely show pond. We had a good natter along the way about his approach to the hobby, how the business has evolved, and what drives his passion for koi.
I’ve pulled it together into a short video, I hope you enjoy it!
#Oase UK Giveaway
Here’s a heads-up on a big giveaway currently running over on the Oase Koi Community Group. This is a post from Oase themselves, and it's well worth a look, especially if you're planning a new build or considering an upgrade.
Don’t forget to enter our HUGE giveaway over in our Koi Community Group.
We’re giving TWO lucky winners the chance to win an equivalent sum of €6,500 / $7,500 towards OASE UK products to help build or upgrade the pond of your dreams.Whether it’s a peaceful retreat or a next-level koi setup, we’ve got you covered.
Join the giveaway here: https://loom.ly/qmxsyTE
#Beautiful Koi – Show Prep, Solar Power & Shade Sails
Big Boss, Justin, sent over this behind-the-scenes update, here’s what he’s been up to:
"We're busy preparing Koi to bring to the National Show, with koi from at least four different breeders. We’re also thinking ahead to the Great British Koi Show - we’ve got great plans to take some excellent Tosai there, while still keeping back some fantastic ones for the Junior Show towards the end of the season.
At the same time, we’ve been pushing forward with our sustainability goals. We've just installed more batteries so we can store and use more of the solar we generate. Reducing our carbon footprint is a big focus, and we're aiming to reach net zero well ahead of any official deadlines. We've just placed another order directly with Tesla for 11kW of additional storage, plus added a couple more rows of solar panels to make the most of the sunshine.
Speaking of sun, while it's great for solar, the koi aren't always fans. So we've fitted custom waterproof shade sails over our sales ponds. These were made for us by a specialist in Italy and they're designed to keep rainwater out of our very soft water system (we’re always watching KH), while also providing shade and weather protection for customers when selecting koi. The nifty part is they’re furlable (just like a sail) so we can open them up when needed and secure them if the weather turns.
There’s been enough to keep us busy... Oh, and we rescued two labradors, so we’re now officially a four-dog household and many of you will probably see them at the shows this year!"
#Growing Winning Koi in 100 gallons
Paul Green of the Birmingham and West Midlands Koi Society grows his prize-winning koi in a 100-gallon tank in his kitchen. Yes, you read that correctly. Paul recently won his club’s Grow & Show event with a Marusei Sanke and I caught up with him for a brief chat about his mini koi system - koi keeping for everyone!
I thought I’d expand on the topic of small koi ponds by sharing part of an article featured in Volume Two of World of Nishikigoi magazine entitled, “The Mini Koi Pond,” apt - I know! I hope you enjoy…
In this day and age, the topic of running costs seems to be on the lips of most seasoned koi keepers and has become equally off-putting for those wanting to get involved with the hobby for the first time.
However, keeping koi needn't be horrifically expensive, and whilst there are solutions to reduce the running costs of existing setups, a possibility for those looking to start from the ground up is a mini koi pond. Now, I don't mean a garden pond or a water feature - I'm referring to a perfectly designed koi pond, capable of successfully housing quality koi, but on a smaller scale.
Whether you’re a newcomer wishing to try koi keeping affordably for the first time or a veteran looking desperately to make your hobby sustainable, a well-designed mini koi pond can offer some of the following benefits:
Cheaper to build
Cheaper to filter
Cheaper to run
Cheaper to stock
Cheaper to treat
Cheaper to heat
See the trend?
Now, whilst a mini koi pond might not fit your original grand plans, when it comes down to it - we must ask, would we rather be a koi keeper with a smaller pond or not be a koi keeper at all? That might give pause for thought.
First Things First. There are many levels within this hobby relating to the kind of koi we wish to keep, the pond we want to own and the larger aspirations we might have. (To beat an old drum), it’s vital to know what we want from the hobby BEFORE we embark on a pond build, because, unless we want to face bitter disappointment, the pond design must align with our aspirations. However, an equally important consideration is what kind of koi pond we can afford to build and run properly. The answer might sting a little - but it’s crucial to be brutally honest with ourselves from the outset.
The Bigger, The Better. I’m sure you’ve all come across opinions stating that smaller ponds are a waste of time and that when considering your pond's gallonage - ‘bigger is always better.’ Despite some truth in this age-old adage, it’s a horrible generalisation that has led many koi keepers to design a pond they can’t afford to build or care for correctly. Skimping and cutting corners for more gallonage will only ever result in a pond that underperforms, leaving you disappointed and frustrated and perhaps triggering the demise of your hobby.
Remember, an uncompromising mini koi pond (well maintained) will always be superior to a larger pond that's designed, filtered and maintained poorly. Simples.
But why do smaller ponds get such bad press? Without doubt, a small body of water is far less forgiving. Fluctuations in parameters, temperature, and feeding rates, along with design problems and poor husbandry, will have a greater negative impact when there is less water to dilute the hiccups. Larger ponds are more forgiving, with the extra gallons offering a buffer that smaller ponds won’t afford.
The other argument surrounds overall contentedness. That doesn’t look like a word - but it is, I promise! People advise building the largest pond possible (so in 6 months), you won’t be wishing you’d constructed something bigger. Again, this is sound advice, and if you have dreams for a large koi pond but your funds aren't quite there, perhaps it’s best to hold fire until they are. However, we must avoid ploughing ahead with a pond too big for our pockets - remember…
The best koi pond is one you can afford to build and run properly!
'Mini Koi Ponds' offer a sensible way to test out koi-keeping and develop skills at a more affordable level. Intrigued? You can read more on the subject in Volume Two, where I interview some koi keepers who run proper mini koi ponds and feature their setups.https://www.worldofnishikigoi.com/product-page/volumetwo
#Shosha Koi - Tosai & Show Deals at The National
Shosha Koi will be at the BKKS National Koi Show at the end of the month, bringing along hundreds of Tosai from a range of Japanese breeders, so if you’re on the lookout for young koi as a project, be sure to check out their stand.
They’ll also have a selection of show-only offers on products including Saki Hikari, FD Food, and Complete Pond Detox - ideal for anyone looking to stock up at a good price.
And if you’re after something with longer-term potential, they’ve also got a number of Azukari koi available - fish that stay on in Japan for further development at the breeder’s facilities. These are currently already in the mud for the season and will be harvested in autumn.
More info available at shoshakoi.co.uk
#Byer Koi Farm: New Showa, Growing Fry & Exciting Developments.
It’s been a vibrant and productive period at Byer Koi Farm, with the start of summer bringing new koi releases, active spawning, and exciting developments for the months ahead.
One of the biggest updates is the arrival of a new group of Sekiguchi Showa Tosai, now available both in-store and online at just £75 each. These koi reflect our ongoing commitment to offering high-quality imported Japanese koi alongside our own UK-bred fish, giving customers one of the widest selections available.
Regular visitors online and in-store will notice weekly updates and new releases as we work to provide fresh choices and variety. And over the coming weeks, you can expect even more as we continue to expand our range.
Spawning season is also well underway. We’ve had multiple successful pairings across a variety of lines, including Goshiki, Beni Kikokuryu, and Kikisui, and fry are now being reared and evaluated. These can already be ordered via the website, with more updates coming as the season progresses.
There’s a lot to look forward to this summer and autumn. More Tosai and Nisai will be made available as the season unfolds, with harvests planned for later in the year from both our own breeding and imported stocks.
We also continue to welcome visitors to the farm each weekend. It’s a great chance for hobbyists and collectors to view koi in person and chat with Amanda and me. Whether you're looking to hand-pick koi or get advice on husbandry, filtration design, or setup, it's always a pleasure to connect with customers directly.
There’s never been a better time to visit us or to explore our koi online.
Learn more about visiting the farm:
Or browse our full online collection:
#YouTube Koi Learning
This month we have Cuttlebrook Koi Farm covering their fry development (following on from their video series), plus recent open days, and ongoing site improvements to their sales area. Plus, a film I made about The Crouch Valley Koi Show, it’s a behind the scenes look with interviews, koi and Grand Champion winners! I hope you enjoy it!
#Koi Magazine Update
It’s been a busy two months at WoN Headquarters. Volume Seven has come off the press and made its way to most subscribers. I’m proud of how it’s turned out and incredibly thankful to everyone who contributed. There’s plenty in there to keep koi lovers entertained, and feedback so far has been extremely positive. If you want to support the UK’s only printed koi magazine and join the growing community of readers, you can subscribe here:
Alternatively, if you would like to know what we’re about, visit our stand at The National Koi Show. We will have magazines on display to show the quality of our work and help newcomers understand our ethos before making a purchase. We’ll have copies of all back issues available at special show rates, which saves money on each copy and the postage!
In other news, for a limited time only, we are offering our Official World of Nishikigoi Tee. I had some new ones made for me and my folks for the show season, sporting the new logo, and I had a few requests to open up sales. So I did! If you’d like one, pre-orders close the 19/06/2025, and I will only print what gets ordered, so don’t miss out!
Other than that, I’ve been steaming ahead with koi-related projects and trying to catch up with various dealers and hobbyists for magazine and online content. I’m also doing some upgrades/refurbishment on my private pond, which I’ll be sure to share as it unfolds. The one thing about koi keeping is that it always keeps you busy!
Until next time, stay safe, enjoy your koi and hopefully I’ll catch some of you at The National.
Best Wishes and Happy Koi Keeping,
Liam
Kommentare