Kol Koi Pond and Water Garden

Answers about pH

What is pH?

     pH is the measure of how acidic or basic your water is.  A pH of lower than 7.0 is an acidic pH, and a pH of higher than 7.0 is a basic pH.  Ponds generally operate at a slightly basic pH (generally around 7.5). An acceptable pH range is from 7 to 8.  The most accurate pH readings can be taken in the morning because plant life causes pH to increase slightly during the day.  Extreme pH levels must be avoided for plant and animal life to continue flourishing in your pond.

What causes fluctuations in pH?

     There can be many causes for your pH to raise or drop.  Acid rain can cause your pH to go lower then 7.0.  Rain can also wash chemicals and metals from your lawn or surrounding landscaping into your pond to give your a basic pH (over 7). Fish spawning can also contribute to a pH fluctuation.

What can I do to correct pH problems?

      If your pH is too low, adding baking soda will bring the pH back to neutral quickly. 

The need for an Ultra Violet (UV) light

In the beginning...

When fish are first introduced into your pond they will begin the Niftrification Cycle.  Your fish will start to produce ammonia and nitrites.  Over the course of the next two months (less if you are using liquid bacteria such as MicrobeLift PL) the nitrites and ammonia produced by your fish will convert to nitrates, and then into nitrifying bacteria.  This bacteria will have to find a coarse surface to "stick" to in order to continue to propagate.  Unfortunately, coarse surfaces are not always easy to find in man-made ponds.  The majority of the pond may consist of primarily smooth surfaces, such as the liner.  A simple and inexpensive way to promote the growth of this biological filter is with fish floss in your waterfall box.

Biological filters and algae

Once the bacteria adheres to a surface, it then begins to convert more of the nitrites and ammonia into nitrifying bacteria, therefore propagating the colony and removing toxins form the water.  However, if you do not have enough beneficial bacterial growth in your pond, you are subject to a nutrient overload.  If your water contains an excess of nutrients, new life may spring from these ideal growing conditions.  This new growth is one or both types of algae, depending on the conditions.  These two types of algae are string algae nad green water algae.  Each type has different characteristics and thus requires a different treatment. 

String algae:  in most cases, string algae has hair-like characteristics (either short and fuzzy, or long and stringy) and it can be found in different colors (green, black or brown). String algae is generally found growing in moving water, such as the rocks around your waterfall.  A great natural way to rid your pond of string algae is with Barley Extract.  Barley is a natural product that is safe for fish and aquatic plants, so it will not hurt your pond.

Green water algae:  it is very easy to reognize green water algae growth.  It can often be seen as you look into your pond, but if you are not sure if what you are seeing is truly green, scoop some pond water into a clear jar or glass.  If the water is a dark or light green then you have green water algae.  This form of algae is extremely harmful to the pond.  These free floating spores absorb the dissolved oxygen in your water (the type of oxygen your fish breathe).  So if left untreated, fatalities are likely to occur.  Large fish will be the first to go, as they need more oxygen to survive.  Once the dissolved oxygen level has become critically low, your pH level will begin to increase to extreme levels.  At this rate, if there are any survivors, not only will they be suffocating, but they will be cooked alive by the pH.  The best way to fight against green water algae is with an Ultra Violet light.