Algae Control with UV - Answer

What is this AquascapesDesigns.com site for?

This website is intended to "set the record straight" as far as my work with the Aquascape Designs installation. One of the axial points to my evaluation and initial response to the system is, and has been that if installed correctly and used for its intended purpose (water gardening) the system is all it promises to be. If used for intensive aquaculture, results could disappoint. Since the results will be a mix of kudos and "helpful suggestions", I needed a website NOT controlled by the company.

How did this site come about?

Because I will be praising the strengths of the Aquascape pond, but also offering constructive criticism of some known imperfections, I needed a website to provide this content on the world wide web. This is why I obtained this domain name, hosted the site and set it up. I am confident that Aquascape would prefer that I not do this, but they can rest assured that I will not cross any legal boundaries or be unfair in any way.

What's the goal of this site?

At first glance, some netizens are alarmed at an endorsement by "me" of the Aquascape design. The simple presence of this website appears as an endorsement. But this is not necessarily the case. I have many favorable things to say about the Aquascape install. But I also have ideas concerning how the more intensive, Koi-aquacultural customer could be served well into their more advanced years. In the final analysis, folks will be able to evaluate the Aquascapes system from real, first hand experience.

Does Doc Johnson formally "endorse" the AquaScape pond system?

The answer is yes and no. First, there are lots of different installations and pond systems which work, and work well. Aquascape is one of those systems. However, installer inadequacy and consumer misinformation and neglect are perpetuating failure in some of the systems, to the detriment of the hobbyist and the reputation of the company. So, I have launched these web sites to prevent my recommendation of this worthy system from being contaminated by user and installer failure.

What I maintain is that the system has merits, especially for the person who wants a simple system with low maintenence and high yield. All merits and drawbacks will be illuminated in this web site. Areas which could be improved or which are improved through my direct involvement with the system will be illustrated here as well.

Would Doc Johnson have or use this system?

I own a fine example of the system, properly installed and maintained for water gardening objectives and light fish loads in a yard which was intended to look natural and be simple to maintain. My installation is loaded with Koi and they are doing fine. I've learned lots of stuff and some will appear here, and some will appear in the blog.

What if Aquascape doesn't like what you [Dr. Johnson] write?
There would be three options since I am not an employee, I am not being paid or compensated, and my expenses in this site and other educational endeavors are non remunerated;

First, if there's a plausible reason to change something, or if I am wrong, or in violation of some copyright or other property issue, I will fix it. I am in touch with the good people at ADI on a nearly daily basis. We're working on lots of stuff.

The second option is just to ask me. Let's say something I've written doesn't tangibly influence the hobbyist experience with Aquascape and it's upsetting for some reason, to someone at Aquascape. A polite request is sufficient and I would probaly rephrase or remove the offending passage.

They can sue me. Let's say there's some sticking point that the hobbyist has a right to know but Aquascape for some reason cannot have it discussed in any language. In this improbable eventuality, the only way to shut me up would be, in the failure of polite discourse, to use legal counsel. Upon which I would simply shut this site down and withdraw from the process of uniting the most popular pond with the most popular fish in the hobby.

Didn't Aquascape Pay for Your Koi University?
Yes, they [Greg Wittstock] did. (Wanna see it?) They've sponsored a premier educational facility which will influence the teaching of important classes for perpetuity. But that's another matter. It's a "deal" highly separate from the goals and directions of this particular web site. They didn't 'buy' me or anything about me, ideologically.

I have agreed to give a series of talks at their events per their schedule even though I hate to fly. I feel very favorably about the organization, due to their support, and I am obligated to a list of conditions concerning their 'advertising presence' on several web sites and in the Theatre which I will adhere to, whether they eventually censor me or not. I highly doubt that anything like that would happen, as it is to their great profit and success to rapidly be highly Koi accomodating, which is one of my immediate objectives.

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Aquascape® is a registered trademark of Aquascape Designs Inc. Neither this web site, its contents nor any expressed opinions contained herein are necessarily those of Aquascape Designs Inc, its officers or employees. This web site is not affiliated in any manner with Aquascape Designs Inc. This is a private, not for profit web site, and is not for sale. The site will be populated with Dr. Erik Johnson's first hand impressions and experiences with Aquascape Designs Inc. ponds.