Welcome to our new webstite.  There are serveral improvements including accepting paypal payments, quicker checkout options and improved information flow once orders have been placed.   Over the coming months we will be adding a range of new products.  Our existing customers will need to create a new account when placing new orders for the first time.  Please tick the box on checkout to create an account.  We hope you like it as much as we do.

The HealthyKoi Team – Rod, Gerry & Dave

Healthykoi are delighted to announce that from Monday 3rd  February we will be operating from Unit 21 within the Wren Centre. The new larger premises will allow further expansion in the services that we offer our customers. Our main contact number 01243 698284 has also been transferred, and Dave can also be reached on his mobile 07882 056841.

The HealthyKoi Team – Rod, Gerry & Dave

Please note that we’ve changed our main contact number to 01243 698284, Dave can also be reached on his mobile 07882 056841.

The HealthyKoi Team – Rod, Gerry & Dave

We will be closed from Tuesday 23rd December To Monday 30th December. If you need to contact us, please phone Dave on 07882056841.

The HealthyKoi Team – Rod, Gerry & Dave

We will be closing at 1pm on Saturday 21st September. If you need to contact us, please phone Rod on O7726840627.

The HealthyKoi Team – Rod, Gerry & Dave

We will be closed on Sunday 8th September. If you need to contact us, please phone Rod on O7726840627.

The HealthyKoi Team – Rod, Gerry & Dave

We will be closed from Friday 19th April To Monday 22nd April. If you need to contact us, please phone Rod on O7726840627.

The HealthyKoi Team – Rod, Gerry & Dave

Since June 2011, drought has affected Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, parts of Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire, and west Norfolk. In February 2012 following a dry winter, Hampshire, West Sussex, East Sussex, Kent, Surrey, London, Berkshire, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, the east of Gloucestershire and the remainder of East Anglia are now in drought.

Water companies that are facing an increased risk of drought are taking actions to co-ordinate temporary restrictions on water use, such as hosepipe bans. Many have been taking to the Environment Agency about drought permits as early as possible.

On 12 March 2012, seven water companies (Anglian Water, South East Water, Southern Water, Sutton and East Surrey Water, Thames Water, Veolia Water Southeast and Veolia Water Central) announced they are consulting on temporary restrictions to be in place by 5 April 2012. For further information on the restrictions see each company’s website.

The Water Use (Temporary Bans) Order 2010 includes:

PART 2 Categories of Use

10. Filling or maintaining a domestic pond using a hose pipe

11. Filling or maintaining a domestic fountain

However, it does not include a “Domestic Pond in which fish or other aquatic animals are being reared or kept in cavity”

In addition, it does not include an “ornamental fountain which is near a fish pond and whose purpose is to supply sufficient Oxygen to the water in order to keep the fish healthy”

According to DEFRA, fish keepers with Ornamental Ponds are permitted under current ‘Drought Legislation’ to maintain essential water supplies to their existing ponds and tanks which hold Aquatic Livestock and maintain fountains and water jets used to provide the essential Oxygen.

However, we suggest that this exemption is applied prudently. Try to save water whenever you can through structured water changes, use of vegetable filters to reduce Nitrates and attend to any leakages sooner rather than later.

Reading the Regulations, empty domestic ponds (without Aquatic livestock) cannot be filled in areas covered by a hosepipe ban.

The HealthyKoi Team – Rod, Gerry & Dave

During the next few days, temperatures will drop. Looking at the weather forecast, they are due to plummet further over the next few weeks. The experts say that there will be snow in some parts of the UK tomorrow as I write.

For the majority of you with unheated ponds, it may surprise you that the water temperature is about 5 deg.C. at present This is likely to drop further. Now is the time to take a few simple precautions like:

North Denmark
– early March 2011
– Waiting for his ‘Full English’

1. Stop feeding completely if the water temperature is below 5 deg.C. (feed sparingly from 5 deg.C.- 7deg.C.
2. If you have a winter protective cover, it should now be on to reduce chilling – the cover will help to prevent heat loss and keep the water 1- 2 deg.C. warmer.
3. Bypass any waterfalls, turn down the air (but leave some going). Do not stop the filter.
4. If the pond water surface freezes, melt the ice to form a small hole to let the gases escape. Do not mechanically break the ice as the noise and vibrations can injure your fish.
5. Drain the garden hose and put it in the garage to make sure it’s kept operational – hoses will freeze and block if left out. You made need to fill the pond in a hurry if you have a burst pipe etc.
6. Keep a look out for Herons – you are more likely to get problems from predators like Herons during the winter when their natural food source is in short supply. We had our only attack last January.

7. This is one time in the year that a thermometer is most useful and it need to be part of your kit. Try not to let the pond water drop below 5 deg.C. The Koi will survive at lower temperatures but the risk of losses are far higher. The weaker Koi will go on their sides at about 2 deg.C. and swim bladders can be damaged.
8. A large aquarium heater which has a low energy consumption will give a little bit of ‘background’ warmth. Our many other heaters will provide more sustainable warmth.

If you have any worries about your pond or the behaviour of the fish, give our team a call on 01243 698284 or 01243 572762.

Have a good winter season

The HealthyKoi Team – Rod, Gerry & Dave

Fishkeepers are in for a treat this November as a new major aquatics exhibition is taking place in the UK. Based at London’s Olympia, Aquatics Live 2011 is the first of its kind in the UK, combining expert seminars and live demonstrations with major manufacturers and leading British retailers.

Over two days in November, Olympia will play host to the UK’s greatest event for the aquarists and will bring together exhibitors drawn from all over the country, giving visitors a unique chance to shop, ask questions and see first-hand the widest range of available products. They will also have a rare opportunity to talk face-to-face with manufacturers and see demonstrations of the latest innovations in fishkeeping.

In order to ensure the best possible conditions for exhibitors with aquatic livestock displays, Healthy Koi have been commissioned to undertake the water testing for the mains and tank water supplies to both floors in the exhibition halls. The results, together with any recommendations and comments have been issued to the exhibitors to ensure that they undertake any necessary measures required to suit the particular species that they wish to show.

Healthy Koi Team

This year, we have again had a very harsh and severe winter. In some cases, ponds were frozen for a prolonged period and without pond heaters to keep part of the surface free from ice, many Koi suffocated. Others, who have been weakened by the prolonged cold spell will emerge in the spring with depleted strength and not in the best of health. As a result, it is important that their environment is well looked after, they have excellent water quality and you start feeding again with wheatgerm/ multi-season feeds as soon as the temperature allows. Blood samples taken at this time of year often show the Koi to be anemic. The resumption of feeding will help them with any nutritional problems and to regain their former condition.

Some of the fish problems which are occurring at the present time is due to water toxicity. This often occurs when we have had a poor winter and a lot of debris can end up in the pond. A good clean-up and controlled water changes usually cures these problems.

Pond & Environment

• Clean and vacuum the pond.
• Strip and clean pumps.
• Check all valves and pipework – now is the time to undertake those changes before the heavier feeding starts and the filtration system builds up efficiency.
• Re-direct / re-connect waterfalls which have been bypassed during the very cold winter spells.
• Clean and flush the filters – use pond water and clean alternative biological bays at weekly intervals.
• Reinstate any reduced air supplies.
• Replace the UV clarifier tube so its at peak performance when during the summer.
• Test the water – this is most important when the feeding protocol changes (ie resumed/ increased feeding rate or food type).
• Remember that it will take time for the biological filter to build-up again.

Your Koi

Sit by the pond, have a cup of tea or coffee and just watch the Koi for a while – they will tell you if there is a problem.

• Look for any surface blemishes, marks or changes in behavior.
• If there are any changes, bowl-up and carefully inspect the Koi – invert and look at the underside of the body and the gills.
• Do not treat the pond as a matter of course.
• If you think you may have a parasite problem, check with a microscope and mucous scrape first. If it’s confirmed, select the best medication to treat the problem, bearing in mind water temperatures.
• If you find costia, remember that this is a secondary parasite and is only found on 1 or 2 unwell Koi – look for the cause.
• Keep an eye on the water temperature and feed accordingly. If temperatures look like dropping again, slow the feeding rate.

If you need any advice or have any concerns, do not hesitate to contact on 01243 698284 or 01243 572762.

The HealthyKoi Team – Rod, Gerry & Dave

Healthy Koi are pleased to announce the launch of the Sansai shower filters. The Sansai shower filters are an attractive and economic way to provide extra biological filtration and aeration to your pond.

Made from UV resistant high density polyethylene, these filters are less prone to heat loss than metal equivalents. They are available as a small or large model, for 3,000 or 6,000 gallon ponds respectively. Both models have a 50mm inlet and a choice of a weir or 110mm pipe exit. The choice of exit allows you to mount the shower either, beside the pond, with the weir exit, or in your filter area with the 110mm piped exit.

The showers are fed by a pump, preferably after a pre-filter or existing filtration. The water passes through spray bars at the top of the unit, which distributes the water evenly over the filter media. As the water passes through the unit, it will move through the layers of media, splashing and aerating as it descends. At the same time, oxygen is drawn through numerous vent holes, which is used by the bacteria and to aerate the water. After its journey through the unit, the water arrives at the bottom collector unit where it is returned to the pond via a 110mm pipe or weir.

Although these units are available from £395 (Small) and £595 (Large) without media, we would recommend buying the unit with the filter media. Healthy Koi offer the Sansai Small with media for £455 and the Sansai Large with media for £715. The Healthy Koi packages use BioPore filter media, which is an excellent and effective ceramic media. BioPore is extremely porous and lightweight allowing for a larger colony of bacteria and for more biological filtration, than other medias.

For an easy and attractive way to improve your water quality speak to Healthy Koi on 01243 572762 about the range of Sansai shower filters, or go to www.healthykoi.co.uk.

Healthy Koi are pleased to announce that they will again be attending the FBAS Festival of Fishkeeping this year. Said by many to be one of the UK’s top aquatic shows displaying coldwater and tropical fish from all over the world, it is the Federation of Aquatic Societies showpiece for the year. In addition to extensive coldwater and tropical fish displays, there will be a Koi festival taking place and attended by the South East, Middlesex & Surrey Borders, Worthing & District and the South Hants Koi Clubs. The Show will be open to the public from 10.00am to 5.00pm on Saturday and Sunday 9th & 10th October, 2010. The event will be held at the Mill Rythe Holiday Village on Hayling Island, Hampshire and the route will be signposted from the A27 Havant junction southwards.

In addition to our water quality management and bio- security roles, we will again be having our trade stand and our enthusiastic and friendly staff will be in attendance to help you with any queries that you may have on Koi health matters and Koi diseases. Our stand will include a full range of Koi health products including microscopes, water test meters, medications, topical treatments, swabs and many other interesting items, all at special show prices.

In addition to our usual products, you will be able to look at some of our range of equipment including the Sansai Trickle filters and a large range of Hanna water testing equipment including continuous meters,

Should there be any specific items you are interested in, please do not hesitate to give us a phone call on 01243 572762 in advance and we will ensure that these will be available for you to look at on show day.

Healthy Koi are pleased to announce that they will again be attending the South East Koi Show this year. Reputed to be one of the UK’s top Koi shows, the South East International Show will be held at Parkwood Hall School School, Beechenlea Lane, Swanley, Kent. BR8 8DR on Sunday & Monday, the 29th & 30th August, 2010.

The Show, which has an international reputation for excellence, opens to the public from 0930am until 5pm. It will host an exciting range of Koi trade stands and well as an arena full of stunning Koi.In addition to our usual range of items, we will this year be having an extended display of Hanna electronic water testing equipment and accessories. You will have the opportunity to look at the Hanna 83203 multimeter with improved accuracy. In addition to the single and multi-parameter testing equipment & reagents, we will be displaying a range of hand held Hanna dip meters which are both inexpensive and easy to use. To make testing even easier, take time to talk to us about the provision of a ‘Continuous Reading’ meter which have become very popular.

During the Show, our enthusiastic and friendly staff will be in attendance on the stand to help you with any queries that you may have on Koi health matters, testing, care, welfare and Koi diseases. Our stand, which will be located in the West Marquee, will include a full range of Koi health products including a new range of top value secondhand serviced microscopes, medications, topical treatments, swabs and many other interesting items, all at special show prices.

Should there be any specific items you are interested in, please do not hesitate to give us a phone call on 01243 698284 or 01243 572762 in advance and we will ensure that these will be available for you to look at on show day.

The Healthy Koi Team

Due to a family wedding this weekend we would like to let all customers know that the shop will be closed all day Friday 23rd July and Saturday 24th July. We will be open as usual from Sunday 25th July onwards.

Sorry for any inconvenience caused.

Following a lengthy consultation exercise and evaluation of the possible benefits and likelihood of success, DEFRA has concluded that an eradication programme will not be undertaken for KHV disease in England and Wales.

This means that Category V (infected) status will be assumed immediately for England and Wales. A thorough impact assessment concluded that this is the most pragmatic approach after considering the likelihood of success in trying to eradicate the disease. However, DEFRA will be keeping this decision under review.

The adoption of category V status will mean that there will be no changes to the control regime currently in place. Passive surveillance by DEFRA will continue, the disease will remain notifiable and existing control arrangements will stay in place when an outbreak is confirmed. Imports of susceptible species from countries outside the European Union and movements from other Member States will continue in line with the rules that currently apply. However, movements of susceptible species will not be possible from GB to areas of a higher health status in other Member States. The exception being those movements from compartments in GB (e.g. individual farms) which have gained KHV disease free status (category I).

Given that the weather has now got warmer and the likelihood of outbreaks of KHV in the ornamental sector is high, we urge everybody to apply the highest possible biosecurity when purchasing new fish or dealing with your existing stock. Should you require any assistance or advice, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Volcanic ash is formed during explosive volcanic eruptions. This occurs when gases dissolved in molten rock (magma) expand and escape violently into the air, and also when water is heated by magma and abruptly flashes into steam. The force of the escaping gas violently shatters solid rocks and blasts it into the air, where it solidifies into fragments of volcanic rock and glass. Once in the air, our weather patens take over and wind can blow the tiny ash particles thousands of miles away from the volcano.

The components of volcanic ash are mildly corrosive and potentially conductive. The soluble coatings are derived from the interactions in an eruption column may be composed of sulphuric and hydrochloric acid and droplets with absorbed halide salts.

At the present time, the prevailing winds are driving the ash from the recently erupted Icelandic volcano south/ south eastwards. Predictions are that the ash fall-out will start to occur in Scotland tomorrow and move further southwards.

Although the silica content of the volcanic ash is considered non-toxic, the problem starts when there is a ‘sulphur’ component to the residue. Already, from some of the eyewitness accounts in Scotland, people have commented on the smell of rotten eggs (Hydrogen Sulphide). As the ash moves Southwards further over the UK, it would be prudent for those with pond covers to replace them for a short period. Koikeepers with uncovered ponds should keep a close eye on the fish. The addition of clay to the pond will help to buffer any reduction swings in pH due to the acidic content of the ash. Should any unusual behavior occur with the Koi, a water change using a purifier or the addition of de-chlorinator will help but keep an eye on pond water temperature changes.

It is not unusual for problems of this nature to occur. Earlier this year, sulphur dioxide was detected in blood samples we took in the West Country whilst investigating Koi mortality. This occurred after a period of northerly driven snow and rain.

If you need any further help, do not hesitate to give us a ring on 01243 572762 or 07726840627.

The Healthy Koi Team.

Healthy Koi are pleased to announce that they will again be attending the South Hants Koi Show this year. Reputed to be one of the UK’s top regional Koi shows, the South Hants 19th Open Koi Show will be held again at the Havant Leisure Centre, Civic Centre Road, Havant on Sunday 30th May and Monday 31st May, 2010. The Show, which opens to the public from 10am until 5pm, will host an exciting range of Koi trade stands and craft stalls and will include bonsai & aquarium displays.

In addition to our water quality management and bio- security roles, we will again be having our trade stand and our enthusiastic and friendly staff will be in attendance to help you with any queries that you may have on Koi health matters, care, welfare and Koi diseases. Our stand will include a full range of Koi health products including a new range of top value secondhand serviced microscopes, water test meters and reagents, medications, topical treatments, swabs and many other interesting items, at special show prices. You will have the opportunity to look at the new Hanna 2008 C203 multimeter with improved accuracy.

Should there be any specific items you are interested in, please do not hesitate to give us a phone call on 01243 572762 in advance and we will ensure that these will be available for you to look at on show day.

Show Details

Sunday 30th & Monday 31st May 2010
Sunday 10.00am to 5.00pm Monday 10.00am To 4.00pm
HAVANT LEISURE CENTRE. CIVIC CENTRE ROAD.
HAVANT. HAMPSHIRE. PO9 2AY

For more information
Glenys Cambridge tel: 023 9225 4297 or Mobile: 07999588993
showchairman@southhantsbkks.co.uk
Vat allocation Rod on 01243 572762