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  • Results 1 to 16 of 16

    Thread: The Birth of a New Mudpond

    1. #1
      Orient Koi Farm's Avatar
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      The Birth of a New Mudpond

      Orient Koi Farm can always be counted on to produce high quality small to medium sized Koi. However a problem we have faced is in growing these high quality koi to jumbo size, owing to our facilities not being big enough.

      All of this has now changed. In December 2005 a meeting was held between Orient Koi Farm, Happy Koi, Nishikigoi Farm, Wikkies Pompe and Lectro Group. On the agenda there was only one point for discussion, this being the G1 Project. The meeting lasted an hour and the decision was unanimous: The G1 Project was a go.

      The G1 project is the development of a mud pond to grow Koi to jumbo size within two to three years at Orient Koi Farm. The mud pond was designed by the parties involved with each company applying their expertise where it was needed.

      The G1 Mud Pond Project statistics are as follows:

      The ground area is 5 000m²
      The water service area is 3 600m²
      The average depth is 3m
      The deepest point is 3.5m
      The shallowest point is 1.5m
      The maximum water capacity is 11 million litres.
      The maximum stocking density is 1 100 koi of 1m
      The optimal stocking density is 250 koi of 40-50cm
      The growth expectations are between 30 and 40cm per season.
      The pond will be aerated at 3500 litres/min.
      The koi will be fed daily at regular intervals on Saki Hikari, Superkoi and natural food.
      The G1 mud pond can be emptied at a rate of 500 000 litres p/h if needed.
      The G1 mud pond will be monitored 24 hours per day via satellite and data lines for security purposes.
      The SAKTA and KBI standards will be applied at all times.

      What is our purpose with this huge mud pond?

      The need for this dam arose upon the realization that there is a need for show winning quality koi already grown to at least 65cm in South Africa. Buying these koi from Japan is expensive and risky. We decided to buy nisai of Tategoi quality (sourced from the most successful Japanese breeders) and to grow them to 65–70 cm.

      At harvesting should any Koi turn out not be of show quality standard it will be utilized for breeding purposes by Orient Koi Farm.

      The Tatesta bred on Orient Koi Farm will also be grown in this mud pond – an excellent test for colour and body shape. These koi will of course only be moved to G1 after 30 days quarantining and KHV testing.

      Because of the sensitivity of this program and the obvious risk involved our farm will be closed to the public. This decision coincides with the opening of our outlet – Orient Koi @ Wikkies, Lawrence street, Queenswood, Pretoria. The public will only be allowed on the farm by appointment and once again only into certain areas.

      Why were these entities approached to get involved in the project?

      HappyKoi – Hannes has the obvious experience to select a Tategoi destined to become a Supreme Grand Champion. Hannes does the quarantining of koi from Japan at his facility in Stellenbosch, travels with the koi to Pretoria to oversee the introduction of the Japanese koi into the G1 mud pond. William has the ability to sell ice to an Eskimo. Hannes will also be involved in the selection of Tatesta on Orient Koi Farm. HappyKoi has potential access to numerous clients overseas whom are constantly looking for show winners.

      Nishikigoi Farm – via our mutual working agreement Kurt has been involved in the layout and construction of the G1 mud pond. Kurt has a good number of years’ valuable experience in growing on Japanese koi. Superkoi has been tested on Nishikigoi Farm and Orient Koi Farm over a year period, whereupon we have had excellent results and therefore chose this as our main feed in conjunction with Saki Hikari for the G1 project.

      Wikkies Pompe – Wikkie is an avid koi hobbyist and a very successful businessman with an exceptional knowledge of pumps, blowers etc. Wikkie is the supplier of all pumping equipment which will enable us to empty the G1 mud pond quickly if required.

      Lectro Group – Chris, another enthusiastic koi hobbyist is the owner of Lectro Group – one of the biggest security companies in Gold Fields. His expertise is utilized regarding the safe keeping of the Koi via alarm systems, CCTV and satellite monitoring around the G1 mud pond and on the farm in general. All electronic systems will also be monitored by Lectro Group.

      Why is this a big step forward for the South African Koi Trade and the koi fraternity?

      This project will open the South African Koi Market to the world to buy safe Koi of exceptional quality. South African Koi will be sold alongside Japanese koi to the local and international market.

      The G1 mud pond is one of the biggest Koi mud ponds in Africa if not the biggest.

      The South African Koi market will now have access to Japanese Koi of quality and size, for much less than the cost of importing the equivalent from Japan. Also on offer will be the best of locally bred South African Koi.
      Attached Images Attached Images      

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    2. #2
      Scott's Avatar
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      Wow! Nice project..

      Welcome to Koiphen...

    3. #3
      Pochacco is offline Senior Member
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      that is sick (means very cool)...too bad in Los Angeles, CA.. our soil is totally polluted with chemicals.

    4. #4
      Orient Koi Farm's Avatar
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      Thank you Scott

      This is what is in it now 250 of them.
      Attached Images Attached Images  

    5. #5
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      WOW, what an opportunity. I wish you were in the states.

      Welcome to Koiphen. I hope you keep us posted on the progress.
      Sandy
      CKK, KHA

    6. #6
      koikichi1 is offline Senior Member
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      Very impressive project. I wish you much success and please let us know how you are progressing on your program.

      By the way, Welcome to Koiphen!

      Jeannie
      ESTEEMED KK MEMBER
      OFFICIAL NATIVE TEXAN

    7. #7
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      Wishing you the much success. Keep the pictures coming.

    8. #8
      savannahrobinson's Avatar
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      Nice aerial nets.
      Good luck!~
      "To bosom friend, to gracious host
      To those who fall, and those who lift
      To those who give, yet mark not gift
      To healing, hope, and circumstance
      To faith, to fate, to meetings chance"
      -Bob Kublin (who I have not met)

    9. #9
      emmalou is offline Inactivated
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      Quite an undertaking! It looks fabulous from here Updates would be greatly appreciated.

    10. #10
      CarolinaGirl is offline Inactivated
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      Really cool!!! I am impressed!

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    11. #11
      Orient Koi Farm's Avatar
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      Thank you all I will keep you up to date. I will also post pic's from the koi when they are ready for sale.

    12. #12
      cindy's Avatar
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      Looks good.

      I'm curious about soil types there. Working with Conservation here and amazing at all the different soil types. No liner? Plenty of clay?

    13. #13
      Orient Koi Farm's Avatar
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      Yes no Liner and 48% clay the name of the clay I will have to find out for you.

    14. #14
      cindy's Avatar
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      Our farmers use bentonite clay if they don't have a good clay base. Alot of mud ponds are dug here only to find out later (they didn't ask) that the soil won't hold water.

    15. #15
      Orient Koi Farm's Avatar
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      We do the same in SA cindy. But dit you know that you could use bentonite to seal concrete ponds that leak's a little bit of water?

    16. #16
      cindy's Avatar
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      Had no idea

      We're about 50 miles from Fort Knox military base. Concrete anything is out of the question. The vibration from the practice jars everything. We have liner or fiberglass pools and ponds.

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