Customer Ponds: Gabby Henley’s Inspiring Koi-Keeping Journey from Setbacks to Success

Koi keeping encompasses many different hobbies, all based around the art that is nishikigoi combined with engineering, design and a connection to nature. Gabby's journey is a great example of this passion.

She started with a simple but effective back garden pond, a hole in the ground with a liner; and ended up with an intricately designed masterpiece.

Gabby came to us after the tragic loss of her koi collection and was looking to rebuild. Our involvement with Gabby has been supplying her with a new selection of koi, and Gabby is now one of the growing numbers of people with ponds populated solely with koi bred here at Adam Byer Koi Farm.

Almost 3 years on, I wanted to check back in with her and hear how they were getting on. Her story is a testament to resiliance, innovation and a love for koi.

Here's an in depth look at her remarkable journey.

How a Simple Goldfish Tank Led to a Passion for Koi Keeping

Gabby’s fascination with aquatic life began unexpectedly when her husband brought home two goldfish from a local fair. Feeling sorry for the fish in their tiny tank, the family built an 1,800-litre pond in their garden. This initial setup was modest—a liner, a pump-fed pressure filter.

Exploring Aquatic Passions Beyond Koi: Gabby’s Journey with Marine and Mbuna Tanks

In addition to her koi-keeping journey, Gabby has explored other aquatic passions that showcase her dedication to aquatic life. Her marine tank came first—an award-winning but highly complex system that required incredible amounts of maintenance and management. Due to the intensive upkeep, Gabby made the difficult decision to let it go just before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Following this, Gabby set up an Mbuna (Lake Malawi cichlid, tropical fish) tank, which brought a different kind of satisfaction. Gabby described the Mbuna as "more sensitive than koi " and being fascinating to observe, requiring careful feeding and management to remain healthy.  She says they taught her a lot about aquatic care and ecosystems.

As her interest in the pond grew, she replaced the goldfish with koi and upgraded to a 7,000-litre pond initially equipped with an EA Nexus filter and finally a pump fed Filtreau drum system.

This pond had some structural weaknesses that became apparent over time and prompted dreams of a larger brick built set up.

Building the Dream: How Gabby Designed Her Ultimate Koi Pond

Gabby carefully selected the area of the garden where the pond would be built, taking into account practical and aesthetic considerations.

“We wanted the pond to be visible from the house,” she explained, “so we chose a spot that would let us enjoy it year-round, whether we were inside or outside.”

The pond location integrates with the patio and veranda, which together form an outdoor living area. The pond is visible from the kitchen and living room windows, which means Gabby and her family can enjoy seeing the koi all year round.

“The covered veranda means we can sit outside by the pond even when it’s raining,” Gabby added. “It’s become the perfect space for relaxing and entertaining.”

There were some practical considerations for the pond placement too, including avoiding a storm drain and preserving a sentimental tree planted in memory of her father.

The end result delivered a pond that is not just a stand alone feature, but an integral part of their outdoor living space.

Gabby and her husband decided to build it themselves to save as much money as possible, but did bring in professional help for specific tasks like bricklaying and plumbing. They had guidance from a local pond building expert which Gabby noted as a great help.

Koi Pond Size and Shape

Dimensions and Design: Why Gabby Chose A Square Pond

A 20,000 litre square-shaped pond with two bottom drains.   “There aren’t many square ponds,” Gabby noted, “but it fit our garden perfectly and filleting the corners ensures no debris build up.”.  (Filleting the corners fills in the 90-degree angle with a small triangular insert where the pond sides meet so the angle is smoothed and prevents dirt building up - I talk more about this in another section)

Filtration

A gravity fed Draco drum filter paired with a bio bed filled with 150 litres of K1 (capable of holding 300 litres). Gabby addressed local limescale challenges by frequently replacing or cleaning the K1 media and increasing airflow to keep the K1 well agitated.

Optimising Water Flow: Gabby’s High-Efficiency Pump and UV System

Dual variable-speed pumps taking water from the drum. One pumps through a 110W UV and the other through a 55W UV. Gabby has a massive 165W of UV filtration on her pond!  There's also a skimmer which feeds into the drum. The water pumps circulate the pond every 45-50 minutes.

The 7-Foot Viewing Window That Transforms Gabby’s Koi Pond

A stunning seven-foot by three-foot glass window, offering an immersive view of the koi. Theinstallation was a labour-intensive process requiring six people to fit the heavy glass. “It was a challenge to get it installed,” Gabby recalled, “but the view is absolutely worth it.”

Koi Pond Electrical Safety: Gabby’s Smart Setup to Prevent Power Failures

Gabby has ensured one of the highest specifications of electrical set up that we've heard about in a hobbyist pond. They had the electrical supply to the house split into two; one fuse box for the house, and the other for the pond. So if anything trips in the house, it doesnt affect the pond and vice versa. In addition to that, the pond has it'sown fuse box with 3 breakers. This thoughtful setup ensured that no single electrical failure could disrupt the entire system. “We wanted to do everything right,” Gabby said, “so we made sure every pump and airline was on its own breaker.”

Sustainable Water Management: Gabby’s Smart Trickle-In System

Gabby has set up a trickle in system to constantly change pond water. Tap water passes through a carbon filter at a rate of half a litre a minute. For improved sustainability, Gabby waters her garden from the pond.

The DIY Koi Pond Build: Overcoming Winter Challenges

The couple tackled the labour-intensive groundwork themselves, removing 15 tonnes of chalk and flint soil by hand. Winter conditions made the project incredibly challenging, but fortunately for Gabby, a friend runs a marquee company and leant them a marquee for the winter, providing much needed cover. That enabled Gabby and her husband to be productive through the winter “We worked through some tough conditions,” Gabby explained, “but knowing this was going to be our forever pond kept us motivated.” The marquee kept the area dry, which meant they completed the build over the winter. Gabby mentioned the marquee helped with the fibreglassing too.
Their efforts were certainly worth it!

Koi-Keeping Disaster: How a Bacterial Outbreak Devastated Gabby’s Pond

Gabby’s koi-keeping journey took a devastating turn during the winter of 2021-2022. Her pond suffered a severe bacterial outbreak, leading to widespread sores and weak fish. Despite vetinary intervention and administering prescribed antibiotics, and salting the pond, the koi didn't recover.

It's well known in the industry that bacterial infections are considered one of the worst issues koi keepers can face.  It's often extremely difficult to trace back to a single root cause, and they are notoriously difficult to shake despite treatment. A widespread outbreak of bacterial ulcers across multiple fish with no clear root cause is a serious and complex problem to resolve, and can lead to significant suffering for the koi. “It was heartbreaking,” Gabby recalled. “We tried everything, but ultimately, we had to make the painful decision to euthanise the remaining fish. It was the hardest thing we’ve ever done.”

The outbreak's origins remain a mystery, but Gabby suspects one of two potential sources could be the root cause. She says one possibility was a fishing trip, where she and her family had handled wild carp and then interacted with the koi without realising the potential risks. “We think we brought something back on our hands or clothing,” she explained. “It’s a theory, but it’s the only explanation that fits the timeline.”

The other possible cause, Gabby noted, was a koi purchased from a dealer months earlier. She acknowledged that infections or bacteria could take a long time to manifest. “It might have been something introduced with the new fish,” she said. “There’s no way to know for certain.”

Reflecting on the ordeal, Gabby emphasised her discomfort with the uncertainty. “We’ll never know for sure what caused it. That’s the hardest part—not having clear answers. But we’ve learned the hard way to be extremely cautious about biosecurity."

Rebuilding a Koi Collection: Why Gabby Chose Adam Byer Koi Farm

Determined to rebuild, Gabby sterilised her pond and decided to change tact and source koi from a UK breeder, and she chose Adam Byer Koi Farm. Her rationale being that locally produced koi would not have endured the stress of international transport. She visited us in 2022 and selected ten larger-sized and higher-quality tosai (one summer old) koi across two visits. They settled in to her luxurious pond quickly. After navigating through the inevitable new pond syndrome while her filter media matured, Gabby chose to enjoy a period of stability rather than topping up her collection and has left her collection unchanged since then.  Gabby said that the koi looked a little small in such a large pond initially, but they've all grown well and quickly filled the space.  Health wise, she's had a smooth run.  Gabby said there have been very few reasons to pull out the microscope since re-stocking, and just one flukes treatment has been needed in all of that time.

The results have been transformative.

“These koi were vibrant and sociable from day one,” Gabby said. “Nine out of ten hand-feed, and their colours and growth have exceeded our expectations.” Gabby’s decision to stock from a single trusted supplier minimised risks and allowed her to focus on creating a stable, healthy environment for her fish. “It’s one piece of advice I’d give to anyone,” she shared. “Don’t go and buy from everywhere because then if something happens, you can’t point back to where the problem comes from. I wanted quality koi that hadn’t travelled so much, and Adam Byer Koi Farm gave me exactly that.”

Gabby’s Thriving Koi Pond: How She Created a Stable Ecosystem

The filtration system is easy to maintain and keeps impeccable water parameters, and the viewing window adds an extra dimension and helps to enjoy the koi's underwater world. Enhancements like a bar, covered veranda, and seating area have turned the pond into a social hub. Gabby added with a laugh, "If you have a pond, build a bar! It’s been one of the best decisions we made—it’s where everyone gathers when we entertain."

“It’s not just a pond; it’s a lifestyle,” Gabby said. “We host barbecues, play darts, and relax by the water.  Sometimes we just enjoy a quiet evening watching the koi.”

This transformation reflects Gabby’s thoughtful approach to integrating her pond into her home life. The view of the koi through the stunning seven-foot window has become a daily highlight, reinforcing the pond’s role as a key part of her outdoor living space.

Koi with Personality: Gabby’s Favorite Fish and Their Unique Traits

I asked Gabby if she had any favourites in her koi collection. She describes her two favourites as a golden Mukashi Ogon and a Tancho Kujaku her husband Dave named “Target”. “These fish have so much personality,” Gabby shared. They recognise us and rush to the window whenever we approach. It’s incredible to see how social they are.”
Her golden Mukashi Ogon holds a special place in her heart. “I hadn’t planned to get an Ogon at all,” Gabby admitted.“But when I saw this one, something about it just stood out—it was so bright and beautiful, I couldn’t resist.”

That unplanned purchase has since become one of her two favourite koi. “The way it gleams in the sunlight is breathtaking, and it’s incredibly friendly. It always comes right up to the window.”

Gabby is particularly impressed with the koi she sourced from Adam Byer Koi Farm. “They’ve performed better than I ever expected,” she said. “Not just in terms of health, but also in their colour retention and development." Gabby reflects on the two Showa she selected, one having more white and the other having more sumi (black), "I've got solid colours, I've got the reds, I've got the blacks, I've got the whites, I've got every colour I need"

Her Asagi, for instance, is another standout example. I remember discussing this Asagi with Gabby when she visited, it had very good white skin and the beni (red) development was about right for it's age. It was a great prospect. “When I picked it, it didn’t have much red." Gabby says, and “Looking back at photos, I realise just how much it has improved. It’s beautiful, and the colours keep getting better.”

Essential Koi Keeping Tips from Gabby’s Experience

Through her journey, Gabby has cultivated a wealth of knowledge. “Learn from our mistake, learn from our expenses, go bigger the first time round,” she advised, reflecting on her experience of upgrading ponds and equipment over time. Her top tips for aspiring koi keepers include:

Don’t Overstock Your Koi Pond

“Resist the temptation to add too many fish. A stable environment is key.”

Support Local UK Koi Breeders

Gabby highlighted the advantages of choosing UK-bred koi from Adam Byer Koi Farm, noting the success she's experienced with them.

Invest in Quality Koi Pond Equipment

“Build the biggest and best pond you can afford from the start.”

Own a Microscope

“It’s invaluable for diagnosing issues early.”

Plan Your Koi Pond Setup Carefully To Avoid Costly Mistakes

Gabby emphasises the importance of considering future maintenance when designing a pond, such as ensuring easy access to filtration for cleaning.”

Koi Pond Corners: The Simple Trick to Improve Water Circulation

They applied triangular inserts into all the corners of the pond which smooths the angle, aids water flow and helps to avoid dirt build up. However, these ‘fillets’ in the corners were applied everywhere including above the water line and Gabby says that the pond would have looked slightly better if they had avoided filleting the corners above the water line.

I'd say, this is very minor!  But, certainly worth passing on.

What’s Next for Gabby’s Koi Pond? Future Plans & Reflections

“We’re really happy with the collection we have now,” Gabby explained. “Of course, when I see a beautiful koi on your social media or the website, it’s tempting. But we’ve worked hard to create a balance in the pond, and I don’t want to disrupt that.” 

For Gabby, the pond is as much about the lifestyle it creates as it is about the fish. “Our pond is thriving.  It’s more than a hobby now; it’s become a key part of our outdoor living space where we relax and spend time with friends and family.”

Gabby’s Koi Journey: Lessons, Success, and Inspiration for Hobbyists

The Toughest Decisions in Koi Keeping: Lessons from Gabby’s Journey

Gabby Henley’s story is a testament to perseverance, innovation, and the joys of koi-keeping. The attention to detail in her final pond build is truly remarkable. I'm most impressed by Gabby's electrical system installation with its dedicated circuits, because this minimises the impact of electrical equipment failures.  That's impressive attention to detail, and equally impressive is investing in the less glamorous parts of a pond build to improve resilience.

One of the toughest but most commendable decisions Gabby made was wiping the slate clean by euthanising the remainder of her koi during the bacterial outbreak. “It was the hardest thing we’ve ever done,” she recalled. Yet, it was a necessary choice to prevent further suffering and address a situation that is notoriously difficult to rectify fully. Gabby’s experience highlights the difference between managing a single koi with a sore caused by a knock and dealing with a collection where bacterial ulcers emerge unpredictably across multiple fish without an apparent root cause. Sometimes with koi husbandry, you have to think of the few. And sometimes you have to think of the many. In Gabby's case, re-starting with a sterilised pond was the right decision.
At its heart, koi-keeping is about appreciating the merits of each fish and to enjoy watching them develop. Gabby’s approach embodies this philosophy.  She cherishes her collection and gains immense satisfaction observing their gradual transformations over time.

The Rewards of Koi Keeping: Stability, Growth, and Long-Term Satisfaction

Gabby's decision to stick at 10 koi even though the pond could comfortably accommodate more reflects her belief that a stable pond with fewer, high-quality koi can bring immense satisfaction. The tosai koi she selected from Adam Byer Koi Farm have developed beautifully, with colours and patterns improving year after year. This ongoing transformation has proved to be satisfying enough for Gabby. And despite having space to add more koi, she continues to enjoy watching her collection mature and develop. Her journey reminds us that appreciating what you have can be just as rewarding as expanding your collection.

Gabby chose to restock with koi bred locally in the UK, and we're thrilled she chose us. For her, this was about changing tact and reducing the biosecurity risk. However, at our farm, we breed directly off Japanese Koi, and our livelihood depends on them.  The key factor is that that we fully quarantine all the Japanese Koi we have on site including our brood fish, and also the range of Japanese Koi we offer for sale expanding the range of varieties we can offer customers.

Whether you’re seeking solely UK-bred koi, solely imported Japanese koi, or a mixture of both, our stringent koi health standards should give you confidence.

Buying a new koi for your collection is one of the most enjoyable activities for many koi hobbyists. If Gabby was to ever expand her koi collection with koi from ourselves, we wouldn't see a materially increased risk for her pond or koi keeping experience from that. On site here, for example, we often move koi between systems without issue. You need to be sensible about it. As long as there is space in your pond and your pond is in good condition, and you monitor regularly after the move and deal quickly with any water quality issues or parasites that choose to take advantage of the reshuffle;then by working in this controlled fashion you can add to your koi collection safely.

When we met Gabby, she was clearly an experienced koi keeper with a high-spec pond but had gone through an awful period that had dented her confidence. Now, several years later, Gabby is enjoying her pond, and her koi are thriving.