23. Water Quality: Ideal Levels
Pollutants and Toxins
It is important to remember that fish and other aquatic organisms are captive in the environment you create, so great care should be taken to assure that the environment and water quality are clean, healthy and as free as possible of pollutants. In addition to pH and dissolved oxygen, monitor levels of the common pollutants and water quality parameters listed below on a regular basis.
Partial water changes will immediately, but temporarily, dilute toxic levels of the compounds listed. If problems persist, steps should be taken to eliminate the source of the problem. Below are specific chemicals in your water and what their readings should result in upon testing.
• Ammonia: 0ppm
Ammonia is extremely toxic and should never read above 0ppm. Treat ammonia problems with Water Garden Cleaner ASF. Persistent ammonia indicates a high animal load and poor filtration.
• Nitrite – 0ppm
Consistent readings above 0ppm indicate lack of proper filtration or overpopulation of animals. Nitrite can be reduced with Aqua Bacta Aid and filtration.
• Nitrate – 0ppm
High nitrate causes excess algae growth and animal stress and should be 0ppm. Addition of submerged plants helps utilize nitrate. Water changes and DeNitrex also lower nitrate.
• Carbon Dioxide – 5ppm
Required by plants for photosynthesis, a respiration by-product from fish. High carbon dioxide levels lower pH. Acceptable level is 5ppm.
• Total Hardness (gH) – 80ppm
Hardness is caused by increases in salts of calcium and magnesium and is an indication of soft or hard water. Hard water is usually accompanied by high pH. 80ppm is acceptable.
• Chlorine/Chloramine – 0ppm
Chlorine is deadly to all fish! ALWAYS dechlorinate all freshwater added to your pond.
• Heavy Metals < .01ppm
Heavy metals from run-off interfere with biochemical reactions in both plants and animals and should be less than .01ppm. Heavy pollution can eventually lead to death. Treat with activated carbon.
• Phosphate < .05ppm
Phosphates are introduced from fertilizer run-off and as a by-product of fish metabolism. High phosphates promote algae growth. Use Phosgard or do water changes.
Symptoms, Causes, & Solutions
High pH: Pond is alkaline
Symptoms:
• fish stress and disease
• ammonia is more toxic
• gill damage
• poor plant growth
• inefficient biological filtration
• lime contact and cement products with water
Causes:
• may be caused by or result in excessive algae
• growth causing diurnal fluctuations in pH
Solutions:
• remove all sources of high lime
• partial water changes
• use Microbe-Lift pH Decreaser EL116
• take action to reduce algae
(see Algae Control solution)
Low pH: Pond is too acidic
Symptoms:
• continued fish disease
• stunted growth of submerged plants
Causes:
• plants remove salts causing water to become too soft
• peat and decomposing plants cause increase in humic acid
• fish waste buildup in water
• nitrate buildup in water
Solutions:
- partial water changes
- use Fritz Pond Alkalinity Booster
- • add a plant filtering system to help absorb nitrates
- • use products that reduce nitrates
- • increase filtration
AZOO pH Test Kit
• Power of Hydrogen
• Suitable for freshwater and saltwater
AZOO’s pH test kit is suitable for freshwater and saltwater. The pH value is an important factor in water quality and has a decisive impact on livestock. Different livestock need different pH values and an unsuitable pH value may cause fish illness or death.
The pH range is 4.5 – 9.0.
An excellent way to prevent oxygen depletion is the addition of advanced external trickle-type filtration. As pond water moves through the trickling medium, it is replenished with oxygen as bacteria remove pollutants.
Overstocking of fish causes production of excess ammonia and nitrite. The bacteria that convert these wastes in ponds must utilize oxygen. As you add fish, the waste increases and the bacteria will increase to accommodate the load, which further increases the demand for oxygen. The advantage an external trickle filter has over other types of filtration is that the bacteria are cultured on a plastic matrix suspended in a tower with water trickling over it. This allows bacteria to constantly utilize oxygen from the air while continuously re-oxygenating the water to levels not attainable by other forms of filtration. Properly designed trickle filters eliminate oxygen depletion problems.
Sera Oxygen Test Kit
Quick breathing at the water surface is an unmistakable sign for an oxygen deficiency. Unfortunately, it may then already be too late for acting appropriately. The sera O2-Test monitors the actual oxygen level in the water within minutes and allows for acting in time. sera O2 plus provides quick oxygen supply. Sufficient for approx. 60 measurements.
OASE SwimSkim Pond Surface Skimmer
Aeration also helps maintain good oxygen levels in the pond, maintaining good water quality. The addition of a skimmer keeping the pond water moving and in addition to removing surface debris, the skimmer provides good cover for fish. The SwimSkim offers strong suction, does not require a separate pump and is ideal for retrofitting. Its powerful suction cleans a pond surface (coverage up to 270 square ft.). The SwimSkim floats along the surface of your pond, removing large debris. It is easy to use – just plug it in and drop it in your pond. It automatically adapts to any water level (from a 16 inch water depth). The integrated aerator oxygenates your pond. Because the SwimSkim does not require a separate pump, it’s compact design makes it ideal for retrofitting and allows for flexibility when water level fluctuates.
SwimSkim Pond Surface Skimmer