Kichi Koi Buffet Specifications:

Suspending the feeder:

• The feeder should be suspended over the pond, sufficiently far enough from the edge of the pond to avoid injury to your koi by collision with the pond edge.
• The suspension must be strong enough to hold 10 pounds, the weight of a full feeder.
• The top circular knob has been drilled to accommodate an attachment device of your choosing.
• A few ideas for suspension systems include a metal Shepard's hook, wood mailbox post and arm, hanging from existing overhead frame work, and suspended on a rope strung across the pond.
• Height above water needs to be at least 2". A foot or two is better. There is no limit on the maximum height.
• The feeder needs to be detached from the suspension when refilling.

Adjusting the pull string:

• There are two string attachment positions on the lever. The position closest to the end of the lever requires a lighter pull by your koi but also a longer pull stroke. The position further from the end of the lever offers more resistance for your koi and a shorter pull stroke.
• There is also a range of intermediary positions by using both fixed attachment positions and having the pull string secured between them.
• Shorten the pull string so that the end will be at the water level. You may also add more string of your choosing if you wish.

Adjusting screw:

• The adjusting screw performs two functions. The first is to control the opening on the feed hopper. The second is to provide the counter-weight for the lever.
• To adjust the opening of the feed hopper, turn the screw in to make the opening smaller and out to make it larger. For very small feeds, the opening must be made smaller.
• The adjusting screw provides the lever counter-weight and must be installed for the lever to function properly. More weight may be added by removing the screw, slipping additional weight such as flat washers or a nut onto the screw and then reinstalling the screw.
• Removing the optional wood weight on the pull string will increase the effective counter weight
• Please test your feeder with the feed you will be using before placing it over your pond. Retest when changing brands or sizes of feed.

Leather Lure:

• The pull string needs to be adjusted so most of the leather lure is in the water. The attachment point of the pull string and lure should be at or above water level. Avoid having the pull string in the water.

Optional wood weight:

• The purpose of the wood weight is to keep the pull string under the feeder and avoid having it flipped onto the side of your pond or other objects.
• The wood weight may be removed if desired. On installations very close to the water, it is necessary to remove the wood weight.
• The wood weight maybe adjusted anywhere along the pull string.
• The wood weight must not touch the water when the leather lure is pulled.

Filling the feeder:

• Remove the feeder from the suspension system and place on a firm flat surface.
• Turn the knob, located under the roof eave, counter clockwise until you can lift the lid.
• Lift the lid, add feed, close lid and turn the knob clockwise until the lid is secure.
• Helpful hint: If you have difficulty in seeing the level of food through the dark windows, try floating a ping pong ball (not provided) on top of the feed.

Initial feeding suggestions:

• For the first several days, add only that amount of feed to the feeder that you normally had been using at one feeding. Do this at the times you had been feeding.
• For the next several days, add one day's feed each day.
• After that, continue increasing the amount of feed each day until you are comfortable with the increased amounts.
• We recommend filling the feeder with only one or two days supply at a time in order to keep the feed fresh. When away for several days, fill the feeder as you desire.
• To help your koi find the leather lure faster, try wetting it with vegetable oil before placing in the pond.

WARNING: It is the pond owner's responsibility to insure that the mechanical and biological filtration systems are adequate to handle the increase in feed and fish waste products.

Pictures and comments:

• We would like to see pictures of your feeder in action in your pond. We will be posting these on our web site using your name and city. Example: John's Pond, Washington. Please mail or email pictures to the address shown below.
• We welcome all comments. Testimonials for the web site are also welcome.

Guarantee:

• For feeders purchased directly from Kichi Systems, LLC: Within 30 days of your purchase, if for any reason you are not satisfied with your feeder, please return it preferably in the original packaging, shipping prepaid, to the address shown below. We will promptly refund your original purchase price or replace the feeder if you desire.
• For feeders purchased from koi and pond suppliers, please contact them for their guarantee and refund policies.