The links below are to commercial web sites that I think you will find helpful. When you "click" on a link, it will be opened in a *new window*.

About the commercial web sites; I have NEVER, nor will I EVER, accept compensation, in any way, shape, or form, for placing a link to a commercial site on the Living Jewels of Spring Hill web site. When I post a link to a commercial web site, it is because I like the way they do business and *have* done business with them, or they offer a product that I recommend. I will also link a commercial web site that has good *content* in the form of articles, FAQ's, or illustrations. And *that* is THAT!

Here they are, in *NO* particular order!

When it comes to Koi Health, there is one web site that stands head and shoulders above the rest. Dr. Erik Johnson's Koivet.com. From basic to advanced, there is none better! While you are there, feel free to visit his web board. Lots of people are ready, willing, and able to help answer your questions. But go all through the web site first! It's always better to get the info straight from Doc Johnson, himself. While you are there, get the first thing every aspiring Koi keeper should get *before* buying the first Koi, or even building that pond! And just what the heck would that be? Well! Glad you asked! Now that you've seen the web site, you can buy the BOOK and the VIDEO! Dr. Johnson's "Koi Health and Disease." That book is my *most used* reference. And the companion video makes a lot of the stuff in the book even easier to understand. Doc has placed some adds on his site, so you'll be able to find the stuff you need. Check them out. Visit the KoiVet Web site, now. (Oooops! Almost forgot! If you have a JAVA compliant web browser, follow the links thru the "Communities" to the KoiVet Chat Room. Every Sunday night, around 8 EST, the fun begins! Never know just WHO will show up there! Or, for how LONG, either.)

Niigata in Midlothian, Virginia?!? Yes, you'd certainly thing so if you'd ever been to Ray Abell's "Nishikigoi of Niigata." Ray has been called the best supplier of high quality Koi on the East Coast. I don't think that's stretching it, either. Many people come early to the All Florida Koi and Pond Show, just to be there when Ray opens his transport boxes. I know, I'm one of them. Ray Abell (pronounced "Abel," as in "Ready, willing and able!") is primarily a wholesaler. He does sell retail at Koi shows, however. In any event, contact Ray when you are looking for "that *Special* Koi." His web site can be found HERE.

Aquatic Eco-Systems has supported the All Florida Koi and Pond Show, since the show's inception. Their catalog is a "wish-book" for hobbyist and professionals alike. They stock many of the hard to find PVC fittings, and can supply the needs of everyone from the water gardener to the large, commercial fish farms. *Everyone* should have their catalog. Not only because of their extensive inventory, but AES includes a number of tech reports, as well. If you aren't sure of what you want to do, this catalog can be a great "idea generator." I've had nothing but fast, efficient service from AES and the staff knows their stuff. They'll share their knowledge quite willingly. Oh yes, you can see their catalog, on-line, as well! Go to The Aquatic Eco-Systems web site.

Like the idea of using "Refresh" and "Refine," like the high-end Koi keepers? Don't like the idea of paying "high-end" prices for it? Hang on, then. Have I got a web site, for *you*!?! I've "test-flown" a couple of inexpensive bentonite clays. They all seem to work, to one degree or another, but none quite measured up to the $14.77 a pound (and up!) stuff. Now I've come across one that *does*! And the price is much, much, better. Rather than go into all the reasons you should be using a bentonite clay product here, read about it on the web site of the company that produces this version of the product. The web site is named, simply enough, "Koi Clay." This is an education on bentonite clay. There are pages that tell you just what it is, what it does, how it does it, and how to use it. To top it off, there is also a page that list vendors that sell it. You should have NO problem locating a source for this product. I use it and I *love* it. Ready for an "education?" Go to the Koi Clay information web site and learn!

Need some good, hard data on Trickle Towers? Or on biofiltration, as the commercial fish farms see it? The best web site I've seen that has this information, and also happens to be a supplier of materials to build these projects, belongs to LS Enterprises. Matt Smith has written a number of technical reports and posted them free for the use of anyone who needs them. I'm keeping the number of commercial web sites to a minimum, so before I'll list a commercial site, it has to meet some pretty strict criteria. This one does just that. Take a look and you'll see why I keep referring to it. Go to the LS Enterprises web site and check it out.

Do you know how LymnoZyme works? (Do you know what it *is*?)This most highly recommended product is distributed by by Tom Holder, of Koi Care Kennels. Learn about it and see who carries it! I've got a lot of mileage out of this stuff, in my own ponds. Tom has some other interesting products, as well. Take a look at LymnoZyme on the Koi Care Kennels web site.

Would you like to learn about aquatic plants? Need to find some Koi in North Carolina? How about a quick and easy way to filter out all those suspended fines before the local Koi Club comes over for a visit? Bonnie Hale (Master Gardener) has all that and more, on her web site. She has her own approach to "fixing fish" and applies it to ensure her fish are as healthy and as parasite-free, as possible, *before* putting them up for sale. There's a plant oriented web board, as well. Take a look at Bonnie's web site, HERE.

Wonder where I got that name, "Living Jewels of Spring Hill?" From my favorite book on Koi keeping! Ronnie Watt and Servaas de Kock have put together several Koi farms down in South Africa, to form "Q-Koi." They supply a great number of Koi to the UK and Europe. You can see pictures of their high quality Koi, produced in S. Africa, that will surprise many who think only Japan can produce Koi of this quality. Their book, "Living Jewels - Koi Keeping in South Africa," can be bought on their web site. It's a great book, and the *only* one I've seen that contained any useful information on *breeding* Koi! Most simply tell you to "pick the parents carefully," and then, "Good luck!" Their book goes into detail on the subject of the "ethics of breeding," and gives a culling schedule for Kohaku, Showa, and Sanke, as well as Ogons. Culling is the *least* understood part of producing quality Koi, with the ethical considerations being a close second. Chris Neaves, who's articles can be found in my teXt files, was also a major contributing author to this book. Take a look at Q-Koi!

Well, that's it, for now! As usual, More Later!