Microbe Lift Pond Treatments | Aerators And Oxygen The Secret Of Large Pond Care
Very Large Ponds Need Different Care Than Small Fish Ponds
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 plants remove nutrients.
Addition of large quantities of oxygen using pond aerators or large floating or anchored fountains ... This is critically Important.
Large ponds are not just a bigger version of a small fish pond. They are a totally different creature that needs a totally different understanding. Very large ponds can not be treated using UV equipment and biological pond filters. The volume of water is just too vast. Water plants and plenty of air is the secret to ensuring healthy pond water in these types of pond.
Of course a very large pond is not the same as the average garden fish pond. Trying to use a biological pond filter, simply will not work due to the volumes of water involved. 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 compact gravel; this will only trap waste solids that will decay, resulting in anaerobic bacteria developing, along with a nasty smell and other problems.
How To Maintain Healthy Pond Water In Very Large Ponds ...
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 floating aerators 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.
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 is 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 ...
