Pond ecology consists of many diverse and intricate cycles that control the health of the pond and all living organisms within. For example there is the….
Koi, or any fish for that matter, produce ammonia as a result of their metabolic processes. Ammonia is highly toxic in even small quantities and only a little is needed to produce concentrations that are lethal to fish.
Fortunately, bacteria known as Nitrosomonas utilize ammonia as a food source breaking it down into nitrites. Nitrites are almost as bad as ammonia as far as fish toxicity is concerned and it's just as well that nitrites form a food source for a second bacterial grouping called Nitrobacter. Nitrobacter break nitrites down into nitrates, which are relatively harmless when compared to ammonia and nitrites. And that's where the nitrogen cycle from a bacterial point of view ends. Nitrates are however a source of plant food and this is the primary means of removal in a natural pond or lake. To simplify, the plants provide food for the fish, which in turn, excrete. That excrement is then broken down by bacteria into nitrites and then nitrates, which, in turn feed the plants. This is only one of the many cycles and systems that are taking place within your pond.
Why is the water green?
Green water is an excess of suspended algae in your pond. It means, to put it simply,
there is a nutritional imbalance in the pond. Ask yourself, are there enough plants
in my pond and are they growing in such a way that they are doing the most good?
I.e. are their roots exposed so that they can absorb the nitrogen that the pond
is producing or are they confined in pots? Is there gravel of various sizes on the
floor of the pond that can house the bacteria that is so important for the pond?
Is the biological filter of large enough? Is there a lot of decomposed material
on the bottom, namely leaves, seeds etc.? These are all factors that could be contributing
to green water. The best solution is to be sure that your pond contains all the
components necessary to keep a healthy eco-
I don’t recommend them. My motto is, “If you don’t find it in nature, don’t use it.” There are two reasons why I don’t like them nor use them. One, as the green water passes through the UV system it kills all the suspended algae. So, since the water goes from green to clear it is seen as a solution to the green water problem. However, all that dead algae winds up on the bottom of the pond as decomposed matter which begins to create an imbalance in the nitrogen cycle. Secondly, the UV light bulb needs to be replaced about every six months and they can be very costly. However, many people swear by them, saying that without it there pond water would be green. So I say, If it’s not broke don’t fix it. If it is working well for you in your pond then by all means use it. By the way, UV lights have no effect on string algae since that type of algae doesn’t pass through the UV filter. Should I be worried if my pump fails? The answer depends on various factors. There are two ways in which oxygen enters the water. One method is through photosynthesis of green plants in the water. The second method is by diffusion or intermingling of oxygen from the atmosphere. The amount of oxygen that the water retains is dependent upon the temperature, pressure, decomposition and pollution. Cold water will hold more oxygen than warm water; rapid moving water contains more oxygen than stagnant waters. Water containing decaying organic matter will show a drop in oxygen content because the aerobic bacteria involved in decomposition uses the oxygen.
As the sunlight penetrates the water during the daylight, plants give off oxygen
as a by-
So, back to the question. In most cases it not a matter of life or death. Most correctly built ponds can go without the pump running for some days. However, It is best to have in reserve a small pump the can be dropped into the pond when the main pump fails. Then it can be removed when the necessary repairs are made.
Should I be worried if my pump fails?
The answer depends on various factors. There are two ways in which oxygen enters the water. One method is through photosynthesis of green plants in the water. The second method is by diffusion or intermingling of oxygen from the atmosphere. The amount of oxygen that the water retains is dependent upon the temperature, pressure, decomposition and pollution. Cold water will hold more oxygen than warm water; rapid moving water contains more oxygen than stagnant waters. Water containing decaying organic matter will show a drop in oxygen content because the aerobic bacteria involved in decomposition uses the oxygen.
As the sunlight penetrates the water during the daylight, plants give off oxygen
as a by-
So, back to the question. In most cases it not a matter of life or death. Most correctly built ponds can go without the pump running for some days. However, It is best to have in reserve a small pump the can be dropped into the pond when the main pump fails. Then it can be removed when the necessary repairs are made.
First of all, using concrete is very expensive. Secondly, concrete ponds tend to crack and leak. Additionally, concrete can influence the chemical content of the water, raising the ph level that contributes toward more algae. And, lastly, they are inflexible, not allowing for greater creativity.
Most often a concrete pond can be retrofitted in order to transform it into a natural
pond that will require far less maintenance. This is done by laying over the concrete
an underlayment, or soft, felt-
Yes, most definitely! Using the same basic procedure as for retrofitting a concrete
pond a swimming pool or spa can be converted into a beautiful natural habitat for
water life, and a serene paradise for melting away the stress and tension caused
by today’s hectic pace of life. One of the most desirable reasons for making such
a conversion is the elimination of costly repairs and maintenance. As an example,
pond maintenance, including the filters, is required once a year not once a week.
Secondly, one saves the expense of having to buy and store all the chemicals that
are needed to keep a pool or spa safe to use. Additionally, there is the savings
in energy costs because pond equipment requires only a fraction of the energy needed
to run the pump and heater on a swimming pool or spa. With pools and spas there
always seems to be something breaking and needing repair, which, generally, costs
hundreds of dollars. Since ponds use only one submersible pump they also eliminate
the high cost of pool and spa repair bills. Gone, too, is the loud noise created
by pool and spa pumps and heaters, why, even the space that was once required for
the pool equipment can be utilized for some beneficial purpose. With an all-