Thread: Saki Hikari Balance Type-R

Given this years rubbish summer I’m rethinking what to feed next year. For the past season I fed saki multiseason and then growth once water temp was above 18D. I know for growth the optimal temp is 20D but if I stuck with that guidance we’re talking about less than a month’s warm weather only.

So come next year I may do balance all year round for 12D plus temp. I don’t care so much about growth as pond is overstocked and most fish are nisai or sansai.

I came across on Koi Water Garden website this relatively new food “balanced type R” priced at £189 for 15KG same price as growth, or £20 more than standard balance (£169). Has anyone tried this “type R” and is it worth it, or just hype?

I’m aware the standard balance food costs only £159 from Coastal Koi

you can feed growth down to 14C
it's just a bit of a waste as any food fed at lower temperatures doesn't get as well utilised at higher temperatures due to the koi's metabolism being slower...

i wouldn't specifically buy growth to feed at sub 18C, but i wouldn't not feed it either as it is still utilised...

the type R just has extra probiotics,
and was designed to help koi recover from the stresses of a show.

it certainly won't hurt, but won't be of any added benefit over standard balance unless your fish are sick or stressed....
spring would be a good time to feed it due to the stress of unstable parameters, parasites ect...

Thank you Dave your knowledge on all koi subjects is just amazing! I also meant to ask why multiseason is priced the same as colour food? I’d thought multiseason contains less colour enhancers hence should be cheaper (maybe just my wishful thinking!). I used colour food exclusively for 1 month during August last year and it ruined a lovely Kohaku with secondary hi. I’ve fed multiseason since Sep last year and all gosanki fish benefited from it with no secondary hi

Originally Posted by NamoAmituofo

Thank you Dave your knowledge on all koi subjects is just amazing! I also meant to ask why multiseason is priced the same as colour food? I’d thought multiseason contains less colour enhancers hence should be cheaper (maybe just my wishful thinking!). I used colour food exclusively for 1 month during August last year and it ruined a lovely Kohaku with secondary hi. I’ve fed multiseason since Sep last year and all gosanki fish benefited from it with no secondary hi

I'm just cursed with remembering nearly everything i read lol!
sounds good... until you can't stop over thinking things... ignorance is bliss

yeah multi season is a mild colour enhancing food,
what i've found is if a koi is going to get seconary Hi, colour enhancers may bring it out a bit quicker but it's genetic, and going to happen anyway....
some breeders seem to be more prone than others, wish my sanke would get some secondary Hi, it lost all it's primary Hi....
it has even less then in the picture now...
would make a decent bekko if it's shiroji wasn't so crap...

That’s a real shame Dave as it has great conformation! You never know the sumi or Beni could come back - like an Isa Showa or Nogami kohaku sometimes do.

I just bought 15KG balanced from Coastal for £159 and 5KG multiseason from Sunny Bunk for £95. Best prices I could find and its wonders Saki Hikari prices have yet to catch up with the horrible UK inflation we saw this year. That’s my fish sorted for next year!

Originally Posted by davethefish1

you can feed growth down to 14C
it's just a bit of a waste as any food fed at lower temperatures doesn't get as well utilised at higher temperatures due to the koi's metabolism being slower...

i wouldn't specifically buy growth to feed at sub 18C, but i wouldn't not feed it either as it is still utilised...

I've got 500 grams of growth left to get rid of so still feeding it and now down to 17.7C.

But since losing the Kirin (excessive fat) I'm more conscious about feeding growth at lower temps than I've ever been before.

They'll be back onto normal Saki Balance in a few days to continue through till next Summer, but I am going to try something new this winter through the coldest months (Jan - March) and that is this stuff:

Aqua Source Multi Season-Propolis Koi Food - 10kg

https://www.cotswoldkoi.co.uk/produc...IaAmUKEALw_wcB

Don't know anything about it, not seen any reliable reviews on it, I just got sucked in by the write up and thought why not give it a try. It is White Fish Meal based with Propolis as the 2nd main ingredient.

I received my 15KG balance (Coastal Koi) and 5KG multiseason (Sunny Bank Koi) next day - really really happy with the deal I got. Balance has exp of Nov 2024 which is good enough for me. Multiseason is Oct 2025!

I seriously considered Aqua Source propolis food before but given how well my fish turned out last winter through now, feeding saki multiseason during cold months - I’m sticking with saki multiseason. Its spiralina ingredient is brilliant at reconditioning beni during colder months.

The one thing I noticed about saki multiseason is the pellets disintegrate quite quickly usually around 10mins - so feeding little at a time is key. Growth can stay on surface for 20-30mins and still intact.

Let us know how the propolis food goes!