10 Questions for the 10 Commandments by Joop van Tol on volume 2 of his Koi Bible
It’s been a long time since a good book of content knowledge has been released, so the second volume of Koibible, released last July, came at just the right time. We asked Koibible author Joop 10 questions about the how and why of the new book Koibible Water Quality.
1. A second volume of the Koi Bible. Is that something like the first and second testaments? Can you tell us how the content of the book compares to the first volume?
You could call this the second testament, although I intend to publish a third volume as well, and from the real Bible, according to my information, there is no third testament. However, Part I “Recognition and Assessment” is entirely separate from this second part: “Water Quality.” By the way, Part II should really be called “Water Quality and Water Composition.” However, I kept the title short because people always talk about my first book as “The Koi Bible,” while I envision publishing several books under this title. A short title will hopefully stick better and avoid confusion.
Green you need to know, yellow brings depth and red is for a limited group
The book has three levels namely, “Need to Know. These are things you really need to know in order to successfully keep koi. “Nice to Know,” which brings depth and makes connections that allow you to better understand the processes and finally “Nerd to Know” for the real fanatics who want to know down to the atom what is happening in their pond. Each paragraph number has a color to indicate its level. Green for the beginner hobbyist, yellow for the advanced hobbyist and red for the nerds which includes myself. This way you can go through the book at your own level. The ratio is approximately about 65% green, 25% yellow and 10% red.
The book is written readable language so you don’t need to have studied chemistry to understand it. Especially the green paragraphs are easy to follow. Of course, there is a bit of chemistry involved, but this actually helps to understand the subject matter. I think another great thing about this book is that you can start with green, and then advance to yellow or even red later in your pond career. Advanced hobbyists will be particularly interested in yellow and red. Green you need to know, yellow brings depth, and red is the icing on the cake for a limited group.
2. What experience gives you the authority to lead the hobbyist in these topics?
Whether I deserve that “authority” is up to the reader’s assessment of my books. I myself have twenty years of experience in the koi hobby and have done many studies in this field, including a training course in cold-blooded animals in Barneveld, I have years of experience visiting problem ponds and at the time set up the Koi University as well as many koi-related courses. I think this has given me the necessary baggage to take the step of publishing my knowledge bundled together.
3. Why is this book different from the 15 other books I already have?
Of those 15 books you have, I don’t think there’s one that explores the purely and simply water management of your pond. If you master the “green” sections in this book you can successfully keep koi and avoid perhaps 80% of the problems encountered by the average koi keeper. In addition, I made the book very visually appealing so that both the layout and content are of a high standard.
4. What chapter or topic from the Koi Bible are you most proud of?
I am especially proud of the book as a whole. With its logical coherence and understandably written text, I think it is an opportunity for everyone at his or her level to gain considerable knowledge. Knowledge sharing and improving the welfare of koi are my higher goals. If that succeeds, I will be satisfied. If I have to choose, I choose the “Practice” chapter. Here I demonstrate how much information you can get from a simple table of water values. In working out this chapter, I was amazed at this myself.
5. You call it the Koi Bible, is there such a thing as the Ten Commandments in the Koi world and hear the first one would read if it were up to you?
Good guess ????. It is with these ten commandments that I end my second book. Commandment 10, for example, reads, “Share your knowledge with fellow hobbyists, but don’t sell nonsense.” By the way, a few people have fallen out over the fact that I use the word Bible as the title of my series. It has obviously never been my intention to hurt or offend people.
6. For whom is this book really indispensable?
For any koi hobbyist who takes the care of his or her fish seriously and wants to avoid a lot of misery and high vet bills.
Taki, a Japanese lady who owns a pond in Holland, runs like a thread through the book
7. Do you have to be half a Koi doctor to use the book properly?
Definitely not. Farmer logic, underlying explanations and the understandable language make this an easy read and understandable for almost any koi hobbyist. I have not made it more difficult than it is in the green paragraphs. Taki, a fictional Japanese lady who owns a pond in the Netherlands, runs like a thread through the book. Based on her pond and using the nitrogen cycle, much will become clear in a practical way.
8. Do you necessarily have to have read the first part of the Koi Bible before starting this?
No, as indicated, they are completely separate parts with entirely different topics.
9. What will be the cost of the book?
€ 39,95
10. Where will it be available soon and can we sign up for an early bird list?
The book, Koi Bible Water Quality, is already on the market and is available through the link on my website www.koitoday.nl: www.koitoday.nl/inschrijven/boek-bestellen. Distribution is provided by koivoershop.nl. Furthermore, the book is available at the better dealers.
Are you interested in a water quality course taught by Joop van Tol. Then check this page for locations, dates and prices.
