Introduction to Water Quality
There is a lot to know about water quality in a koi pond but learning it is not difficult. Without a reasonable knowledge of how to maintain water quality you are setting yourself up to fail as a koi keeper. Take the time now to learn the basics concerning water quality and you will gain the time back later by not having to deal with sick fish.
To begin with, you need to understand the basic nitrification cycle in a pond. Fish produce nitrogen waste which, if left unchecked, will build up in a pond to a toxic level that will kill the fish. Fortunately, there is a natural process that, when functioning properly, will break down this waste to a non toxic level through the use of beneficial bacteria. That process functions as follows:
The fish produce ammonia (75%) from their gills and (25%) from their vent. Nitrosomonas bacteria, which builds up in the pond filter, breaks down the ammonia and converts it to nitrites. Nitrites, which are also toxic to fish, are then broken down into nitrates by nitrobacter bacteria which also develops in the filter. Nitrates, which are much less toxic, are then consumed by any living plants in the pond including algae. In a new pond it takes between 4 to 6 weeks for the beneficial bacteria to develop in a filter to the point to where all the toxic ammonia and nitrites are being removed as fast as they are being produced. For this bacteria to develope properly it is important for the pH level of the water to be in an exceptable range.
With this in mind, let us look at each stage of the process: |
