Why all the fuss over koi water ? H2O is H2O, isn't it ? Let's apply this line of reasoning to we humans. Air is air, isn't it ? Our air can contain varying amounts of oxygen, nitrogen, CO2, water vapor, alergens, chemical pollutants, and even toxic gases. We do our best with higher levels of oxygen, lower amounts of water vapor and without allergens and chemical pollutants. Koi grow best in water that contains the maximum saturation of dissolved molecular oxygen, trace minerals for scale and bone growth, but low PH. How doe we accomplish this ? Excellent water flow, up to 1 - 1.5 pond volume water changed per hour, the addition of trickle towers, waterfalls, or mechanical oxygenation. Secondly, trace minerals may be added through crushed coral or crushed oyster shells, because both of these materials tend to cause an increase in PH, the addition of decaying barley straw, wood or other organic material is necessary to keep PH low in spite of "alkalinity buffering" material. The use of minerals that do produce pH changes is an option, although alone they may not provide buffering against a pH crash. Because the best growing conditions are "synthetic" outside of a multi acre mud pond environment, constant monitoring of the water parameters kH, PH, alkalinity, nitrates, nitrites, and ammonia is adviseable. Many koi chat rooms have long dissertations on the optimum pH, kH, and alkalinity. I accept the word of Toshio Sakai that "the desired pH is 7.2 and slight alkalinity is best for Hi, Sumi and Shiroji". Continue to  Page 2 Email us  and we will be glad to assit you.