I've done a lot of research and photography in Japanese Gardens around the North American continent (that's how I got to go to Canada the first couple of times) and this koi and pond thing is just simply a really good, fufilling and healing kind of thing...hobby or obsession...but try not to get obsessed. I've been in some fantastic places where the carp will basically crawl up onto the shore to take food from your hand...and these were some dreadnought class koi, brothers and sisters...big enough to be almost scary.

When I say to not get obsessed, I guess I'm thinking of the folks who are charting the water temperature every thirty seconds and checking the pH hourly...one of the nice things involved in "ponding" is that you can do some basic research, set things up nicely and then let nature take its course and enjoy. Looks like you're going to enjoy your set-up.

Best

AA