Big Ponds & Lakes Need large Pond Aerators Or Lake Aeration Pumps And Oxygen To Remain Healthy
Very Large Ponds Need Different Care Than Small Fish Ponds
Big ponds and lakes are not just a bigger version of a small fish pond. They are a totally different creature that needs a totally different understanding if you want to ensure that the water quality remains healthy.
Even large pond filter systems will not work in very large ponds. Very large ponds can not be treated using UV equipment and biological pond filters because the volume of water is just too vast. Pond water plants and plenty of oxygen is the secret to ensuring healthy water in these types of pond.
The reasons for this are as follows:
- Biological pond filters need cleaning and need large amounts of oxygen to work otherwise they work AGAINST you.
- Secondly there is no way of ensuring that there is an effective water flow through the pond filter and that all areas of the pond go through the biofilter?
Certainly do not use compact gravel; this will only trap waste solids that will decay, resulting in anaerobic bacteria developing, along with a nasty smell and other problems.
In essence the water quality issues within very large ponds, such as those found on golf courses and the like is addressed by the following 3 approaches ...
- You need to control nutrient input.
- Aquatic water plants remove nutrients.
- Addition of large quantities of oxygen using large pond aerators, lake aeration pumps or large floating or anchored fountains ... This is critically Important.
How To Maintain Healthy Pond Water In Big Ponds & Lakes ...
The addition of large quantities of oxygen will encourage nature to take care of things. The addition of large amounts of oxygen allows even large ponds to be circulated. It also encourages wind effects. The addition of 2 large fountains or lake aeration pumps will do this.
Without oxygen added in this way your pond will accumulate debris that will settle at bottom and the pond will eventually silt up. Oxygen breaks down organic debris and allows the nitrification process to take place.
If you are the owner of a very large pond and do not cater for the addition of the large amounts of oxygen you will certainly end up with dead fish in summer, as the pond water temperature rises. Warm water can not absorb atmospheric oxygen as easily and is physically able to hold less oxygen too.
Take a look at the Lake Aeration Pumps reviewed here ...
What is Bioaugmentation?
According to Wikipedia, Bioaugmentation is the introduction of a group of natural microbial strains or a genetically engineered variant to treat contaminated soil or water. In lay terms, with regard to pond keeping it is the addition of pond water treatments or pond water additives in order to cure a particular problem. Examples include adding pond algaecides, pond sludge removers etc ...
All bioaugmentation products work best when combined with oxygen rich pond water. These products are designed to combat the three forms of nutrients commonly found in pond water, namely: carbon (organic), nitrogen (nitrates) and phosphorous nutrients (phosphates). These nutrients compete with plants, algae, fish, blanket weed etc., for any available oxygen. Garden ponds with excess nutrients will be characterized by excess algae, weed growth and pond sediment build up.
I am not a firm believer in the use of pond water additives for small to medium sized pond as a biological pond filter and UV light will prevent the need for such chemicals. Bioaugmentation products may have a detrimental effect upon the nitrifying bacteria, aquatic plants, fish and other wildlife if overdosed.
This said they do have use in the early part of spring, when the biological filter is not quite up to the job of removing ammonia and other impurities, providing the dosage is strictly adhered to.
Like most things in life you get what you pay for. Bioaugmentation products are no different. In the USA the leading supplier and the pond keepers favorite is the range of Microbe Lift Pond Water Treatments, manufactured by Ecological laboratories Inc ...