Pond One



 

 

 

 

 

 
Beginner's guide to water quality
Pond One

   

Why do I need filtration?

A pond and all it’s occupants require oxygen to survive.
Oxygen from the atmosphere gets into the pond water through surface water movement.
The water in a garden pond without technology does not move.
In warmer weather less oxygen can be dissolved in the water but algae multiply at a ferocious rate.
Algae consume oxygen at night.
Red arrow Consequence: Extreme lack of oxygen particularly during the last few hours of the night.
Fish eat fish food and consequently produce waste which contains Ammonia.
Dead plants and left over fish food will decay. This produces ammonia.
Ammonia is toxic.
Bacteria are needed to break toxic ammonia down into nitrite and then into nitrate.
These bacteria require oxygen for that process.
Red arrow Conclusion: No water movement ==> no oxygen ==> no aerobic bacteria ==> no breakdown of waste products ==> build up of toxins ==> pond and fish die!
   
What can I do to stop this?

Oxygen can be added to the pond through an air pump, a fountain or a waterfall.
A filter will mechanically filter out the larger dirt particles before they decay.
A filter will offer the surface the good bacteria need to settle on to break ammonia down.
   
But why do natural lakes and rivers survive without the help of technology?
Natural lakes and rivers are much larger bodies of water
The water does not warm up so quickly.
The movement of rivers adds plenty of oxygen to the water.
There are much less fish per cubic metre of water
No fish food is being added artificially
A natural eco system has established itself over many years.
   
   
   
 
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