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19-06-2019, 11:11 AM #1
POND WATER ANALYSIS AT THE BKKS NATIONAL (22nd/23rd JUNE)
This year I’m again inviting visitors to the show bring a sample of their pond water which I will take away and analyse with professional equipment for the twelve key parameters that are particularly important to koi health and welfare. This is funded by me as my way to improve koi husbandry and pass on good reliable knowledge to hobbyists so it is free of charge to visitors and with no cost to the BKKS.
Visitors can bring a sample and will receive a report on all water parameters that are testable and relevant to koi keeping along with any appropriate comments or advice on their water quality. The report will be accompanied by a comprehensive, but simple to understand, six page explanation of the individual water parameters and how they affect koi health. Also included is an optimum parameter and remedial action guide which may be laminated and kept for future reference.
BIOSECURITY
For biosecurity reasons, water samples MUST NOT be brought into the showground itself but should be left in the box provided at the entrance gate. I will collect samples and take them away for analysis then email my report. If you wish to bring a sample please do the following:-
•Samples should be in a 100 ml food-safe container (e.g. a well rinsed soft drinks bottle or glass jar).
•Bottles should be filled to the top to prevent the parameters being altered by air in the bottle.
•Samples should be clearly labelled with the hobbyist’s name and email address plus the pond temperature at the time the sample was taken.
•Please make sure the email address is correct and clearly written (emailed reports bounce regularly because I’m not psychic, nor is the Internet).
PLEASE DON’T:-
•Don’t bring samples in poorly labelled or leaking bottles.
•Don’t bring large bottles of water. A sample size of 100 ml is sufficient. If you don’t have a 100 ml bottle or container please use the next smallest size you have access to.
•Please don’t bring multiple samples (two or more ponds plus quarantine tanks and tap water) purely out of curiosity. I’m happy to do the analysis free of charge as my way to disseminate knowledge about good koi husbandry but reagents are expensive and the time taken to analyse the water and prepare reports is considerable so one sample per visitor (or couple) please.
The picture shows a sample report with parameter values and comments or advice plus seven pages of itemised, comprehensive but simplified explanation of the parameters including a laminatable optimum parameter and remedial action guide.
NOTE: As I always make clear when I make this offer, I do this for visitors to the show as my way to support the show. I don’t offer a free UK-wide service for those who do not bother to attend but get someone to take their sample and still expect to take advantage of a free service intended for visitors to the show.
I also make it very clear that visitors should only bring one sample per visitor or couple. Those who try to smuggle in more than one sample from their own ponds or samples from friends who didn’t attend are trying to take advantage of the free service I offer with no concern for the time and cost to me. (Some people have even been seen to bring three or four samples). I can’t make these announcements any clearer. Those who try to cheat or to trick me do not deserve the time and money I gladly spend on more considerate hobbyists and will be added to my blacklist.
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19-06-2019, 11:59 AM #2
This is really generous offer Syd.
Now we know what will keep you busy in weeks to come .You get what you pay for - or better - what you make yourself.
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19-06-2019, 09:11 PM #3
Very kind of you Syd.
People like you are a dying breed.
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Manky Sanke, freddyboy Thanked / Liked this Post
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19-06-2019, 10:08 PM #4
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20-06-2019, 05:37 PM #5
Great offer.
I am half tempted to make the 4 hour journey to visit the show based on this alone. But sadly it is the wife's birthday weekend and as much as she likes the pond this may spell D I V O R C E.
Hope the show goes well for all attendees.
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22-06-2019, 05:01 AM #6
Nice one syd. Great gesture. Like said during breed
Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk
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Manky Sanke Thanked / Liked this Post
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22-06-2019, 12:19 PM #7You get what you pay for - or better - what you make yourself.
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freddyboy, Manky Sanke Thanked / Liked this Post
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23-06-2019, 07:08 PM #8
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19-07-2019, 08:48 PM #9
A big THANK YOU to Syd "Manky Sanke" for the time and effort put in to provide this testing service at the show. Results and feedback are very much appreciated.
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20-07-2019, 08:41 AM #10
No problem, I'm glad to spread information about how water parameters combine together in the practical situations of different koi pond set ups along with testing other parameters that aren't practical for most koi keepers and what, if anything, could be done to improve the environment that the koi live in.
Sorry it took so long but I had so many samples this time that it took two days just to complete all the tests then most of my free time for the past three weeks to write the reports. I don't send out reports as I complete them unless there is a serious issue such as an impending pH crash. I hold the all the reports until I've completed them all then send them out together.
What was your sample number?
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20-07-2019, 09:09 PM #11
Mine was # 27
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21-07-2019, 11:05 AM #12
Thanks, David. That helps me keep track of who's who. I expect you're suitably proud of those results.
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21-07-2019, 11:15 AM #13
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Manky Sanke, freddyboy Thanked / Liked this Post
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21-07-2019, 11:40 AM #14
Yep, I got your email. Sorry, I haven't had time to reply to all the feedback from all the reports I sent out, I'll catch up asap but I'm working flat out trying to catch up with the needs of my students who have been neglected over the past few weeks.
(I've got a wife somewhere too, I'll have to take a break later today and go to re-introduce myself to her to see if she remembers me )
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21-07-2019, 02:57 PM #15
Lol I wasn't meaning I was waiting on a reply, just wasn't sure if it had gone to junk email , just wanted to make sure you knew I appreciate your time and effort, there's not many people in this world that give their time and effort for strangers, thanks again
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21-07-2019, 03:34 PM #16
As I said earlier, I do this because I like to help people but, sadly to say, when I analyse and write reports on the samples I collect at koi shows or when I do club talks, there are many people who don't bother to show any appreciation for the amount of time and the expense involved.
I don't expect praise for what I do but basic politeness doesn't hurt. When I send out the emails, it doesn't take long to click "reply", type " thank you" then click "send". It's only those who remember to say "thanks" that makes it seem worthwhile.
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21-07-2019, 03:36 PM #17
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21-07-2019, 05:10 PM #18
WOW. I did t or haven’t ever gotten my water tested by you ( would love to for your expert opinion) but at the very least I would send or show some appreciation. What you offer is an expert-insight to what we all want to achieve with our water quality and how we keep our fish in the best environment we can. And as said basic manners cost nothing,!!!
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21-07-2019, 05:26 PM #19
Thanks Craig, I may be doing this again at the Birmingham show (28th & 29th September) and, if I do, you will be welcome to bring a sample. If not, there's always next year's National.
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21-07-2019, 07:03 PM #20John
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The Daily pond temp thread
Just kept 12 overnight for the first time. Hitting 12.8 in the daytime but bang on 12 first thing...