On Tue, 12 Feb 2008 11:28:36 CST, "Reel McKoi"
wrote:

Many of us made mistakes because no one points out all the problems and
things that can go wrong.

Since every pond, ponder, materials, soil are different, I don't think
there is a book out there that could cover it all. Especially not in the
mid-90's. Even if you had known then what you know now, wouldn't you have
still dug the ponds?

I shudder to think what it would cost to hire someone to add these to both
ponds and in such a way they can be netted.

I don't think Phyllis was even suggesting this. While you're mentioning all
the cons of ponding, a few of us are pointing out the pros, and that it can
be done low maintenance and low cost. After all, you've mentioned you're
ready to pull off the nets, sell the fish, and go the lazy ponder way that
Kathy enjoys. ;-) No one here is trying to sway you not to.

I never dreamed there would be so much maintenance
involved. Then, once the koi started to breed the maintenance increased.
There is no other way to remove fry than do a draindown and net them out. A
dirty smelly all day job as I mentioned before.

And I don't think anyone here is trying to talk you out of retiring from
these chores. They're just stating their experiences. I know I dug my first
pond in 1995, a year earlier than yourself and haven't had a 5th of the
problems you've had. So everyone/pond and experiences thereof, are often
quite different. ~ jan

------------
Zone 7a, SE Washington State
Ponds: www.jjspond.us