algae and aquatic plant growth. Aeration devices are commonly used to increase dissolved oxygen. E. coli bacteria are a species of coliform bacteria that stems from the waste of humans or animals. High numbers can be caused by septic systems, runoff from farms or wildlife. E. coli bacteria in ponds should have fewer than 126 colonies per 100 mL of water. Levels can be reduced by redirecting runoff, limiting wildlife accessibility and sustaining septic systems nearby. Total hardness, sometimes referred to as general hardness, is the total quantity of dissolved minerals in water. Calcium and magnesium are the primary minerals associated with total hardness. The optimal range is 60 to 160 ppm as CaCO3, but higher levels typically do not
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affect the health of a pond. Green water refers to the algae blooms present in pond
dously during a 24-hour period. Nitrite is the primary breakdown product of ammonia, and
Nitrite is the primary breakdown product of ammonia, and as it increases, it is very poisonous to fish. It is a skin irritant and will prevent fish from absorbing oxygen from the water. water. This can affect the pH of the water in the presence of plants. Plants produce nutrients directly from carbon dioxide dissolved in the water. They consume carbon dioxide during the day, thus removing it from the water and causing alkaline carbonates and bicarbonates to dominate and raise the pH. Major algae blooms can cause a pond’s pH to fluctuate tremen-
as it increases, it is very poisonous to fish. It is a skin irritant and will prevent fish from absorbing oxygen from the water. High nitrite level concentrations in the pond can be reduced by regular, partial water changes. Nitrite is an odorless, colorless substance, and the ideal level in your water should be zero, with acceptable levels up to 0.25 ppm NO2. Nitrate is produced from
breaking down the nitrite through bacteria action. Nitrate is not especially harmful to freshwater fish, but it is a strong plant fertilizer and can cause the growth of algae. The levels of nitrate should be controlled to help reduce algae blooms. The optimal level of nitrate in water should be between 20 to 60 ppm NO3, and this can be controlled through partial water changes. It is eventually broken down into nitrogen. pH is a measure of acidity and can be separated into three categories: pH 0 – 6.99 (acidic), pH 7.0 (neutral) and pH 7.01 – 14.0 (alkaline). In general, pH is not a problem for ponds, but it influences the toxicity and concentration of ammonia. Water above a pH of 7.01 with increased water temperatures causes the presence of more free ammonia. The
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