Various images from Garden State Koi Seminar in North Carolina

   2020-03-03  Posted in Industry and Trending, Random
So I was invited to speak at Blue Ridge Fish Hatchery in Kernersville North Carolina. The event was organized by Thomas Smith at Gardenstatekoi and hosted in large part by Blue Ridge. And as always, I had a great time.
Tom and the gang at Gardenstate, Jess, Tim, Fred, Zac, and Aaron, Kirsten, Casey, Josh, a guy named ‘Timmy Tots’ and all the guys at Blue Ridge Koi (and especially one of their fisheries employees Amanda) are wonderful and so hard working.
I collected a mess of images but that’s nothing compared to some of these folks!  Paul Cuffaro (Youtube influencer and animal lover) was at the majority of the event and probably got the most-best video of the farm as anybody. I don’t see it posted yet (It’s the day after the event) but I’m sure editing takes time. Here’s Paul’s channel.
blue ridge koi farm blueridgekoi dr johnson wet lab class kernersville nc koi farm
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Blue Ridge shared their anesthesia mix. I have to qualify a few things but for those of the attendees who wanted to write it down: Here it is.
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I didn’t MEAN to get Koi. In fact I declined twice being a “good boy” and not wanting to feed the herons any more fish. Then I remembered I had a 1,500 gallon indoor facility.
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This cute little centerpiece at the barbecue place we ate at on Monday evening.
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Sometimes you can find these half wheel iron sculptures and they go well on top of some wooden arches to define a space, like around an outdoor bonfire.
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To show us what and how, in the harvest of fish, Randy and Rick arranged for a pond to be seined. So we got to see how that’s done, and we got to see how the fish looked among the premiums.
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I’m no fan of Moultrie Feeders, in fact, I don’t like them at all. I believe it’s a company just bringing in Chinese product and pushing it out there. But what’s the alternative? THESE. Texas Hunter. Good enough for Blue Ridge? Good enough for me.
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I snapped this because I never thought about making a “bead” filter in a 55 gallon drum but the pattern here gives it away. Not under pressure, but with floating media this makes good sense. I’mma try it at the house I think.
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Just one of a hundred or more “vats” in firberglass, wood and polyurethane, or concrete block containing hundreds of thousands of fish farm wide. These were Shubunkins.
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I snagged this image to remind myself, outdoor tanks that need insulation can be sprayed with it. I never thought of it.
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On the bus that carried the group from farm to farm and to lunch and dinner. What fun!
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This water fall just fills a ‘sump’ of bio blocks under the gravel, making it a “pondless” installation. Pretty. Easy too.
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The actual title of the seminar I was with. I spoke on water quality including hazes and healthy water in retail. Also taught a wet lab.
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When you go to a Brazilian Steak House they give you a chip that you can put down “red” to say “I’m good now” and “green” means “put meat on my plate” and MAN IT WAS GOOD. Leblon Brazilian Steak House
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My Swift FM-31 Field Scope. All set up.

 

 

Author: Dr. Erik Johnson
Dr. Erik Johnson is the author of several texts on companion animal and fish health. Johnson Veterinary Services has been operating in Marietta, GA since 1996. Dr Johnson graduated from the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine in 1991. Dr Johnson has lived in Marietta Georgia since 1976.