Archive for Oxygen
Jan
13
Maintaining Oxygen Levels in Your Pond
Posted by: | CommentsThe most frequent cause of death in pond fish are extreme environmental stressors such as the lack of oxygen. Blooming algae is the concern for the two of the major factors that contribute to oxygen loss in fish ponds. While algae makes oxygen during the daylight hours, plants take that oxygen back out of the water during the night. The death of pond fish can be brought about when the algae is profusely blooming and all the plants deplete all the pond’s oxygen at night.
Algae can also trigger oxygen loss by dying suddenly, either naturally or by an algaecide chemical treatment. When this sudden death of the algae occurs, the algae are no longer able to make the necessary oxygen and therefore the level of oxygen is severely depleted. The oxygen in the water is depleted even further when the algae starts to decompose. Within one hour of the time that the algae dies, it has been observed that the fish in the pond often gulp for oxygen at the surface.
Oxygen in ponds that are liberally stocked with fish only provide for adequate amounts of oxygen to sustain them. The delicate environmental balance in this situation will easily become upset if any further claim on the existing oxygen is made. Conditions for fish survival often become critical when the warm-weather water temperatures rise and when there is little to no aeration provided for them.
When the water temperatures start to warm up, the water’s capacity for retaining oxygen decreases. As a result, smaller waterfalls, fountains and other aerators cannot provide adequate oxygen for the fish to survive. When water temperatures surpass 80 degrees Fahrenheit, it is important that you introduce additional oxygen through brisk aeration, especially when you are fighting algae growth in the pond.
The only sure way of to reading the accuracy levels of oxygen in your pond is through a testing device. However, these devices are not available to the for the average person maintaining a backyard fish pond or water garden. The easiest way to ensure proper oxygen levels is through continual and generous aeration through pumps, diffusers, and airstones that bubble air into water as well as other splashing devices. Larger fountains and waterfalls will provide more aeration and oxygen for the pond. Be sure that supplemental aeration is constantly provided, day and night when an algae problem exists, or when the weather gets warm.
Another cause of sudden death in fish is a variety of algae that contain potent toxins. the death resulting from this variety of algae often causes a more devastating result than the a quick die-off of algal bloom. This is because of the concurrent discharge of toxins into the water; resulting in the deaths of some or all of the fish. Fortunately, the danger is rare since pond owners are unable to identify these algae.
You can increase the life span of your fish and make them happy and healthy by keeping your oxygen levels under control at all times.
Visit Backyard Water Feature for more tips and resources for backyard water gardening.
Jan
06
Koi Pond: Oxygen Levels
Posted by: | CommentsAdequate oxygen is essential for the health and survival of your koi fish and other pond creatures. As pond life utilizes the oxygen content of the water, it needs to be replaced. Oxygen enters the water where these two contact each other ? primarily at the koi pond?s surface. That is why a waterfall is such a vital adjunct to your water feature.
As the water passes over and splashes against the rocks, it picks up large quantities of oxygen, aerating the water. Aeration can similarly be achieved with a fountain or water pump. These methods increase the area of water coming into contact with the air; in addition, the resulting circulation prevents stagnation of the koi pond.
SOME SYMPTOMS OF OXYGEN DEPRIVATION:
? Koi fish gasping at the surface for extended periods of time.
? Overnight death of fish, especially the larger, more sensitive ones.
? Water that appears murky black and emits an unpleasant odor.
? Koi fish are attempting to or actually do jump out of the koi pond.
REASONS
? Oxygen is being consumed by large quantities of decomposing debris on
the bottom of the koi pond.
? Excessive amounts of algae are using up the oxygen during nighttime
hours with shorter daylight hours.
? Too many fish for the size of the koi pond.
? Surface covered over with lily pads.
SOLUTIONS
? Remove debris
? Decrease algae growth
? Decrease number of koi fish
? Decrease number of lily pads.
PLANTS
Oxygen is also produced by submerged ?oxygenating? aquatic plants and algae. Plants not only help regulate the oxygen levels of your koi pond; they cool off the surrounding area as well. Plants that normally would not survive in direct sunlight or desert climate thrive in the immediate vicinity of a waterfall due to the high evaporation rate. The water splatters and thins out as it rolls over rock, increasing the surface exposure. The resulting evaporating water becomes a heat exchanger, cooling the surrounding air by as much as 15 to 20 degrees. The evaporating water increases the humidity protection to the plants from the harsh rays of the sun.
When adding plants to a waterfall, there are many places that can facilitate plants, such as baby tears and different types of moss. Places that would not be conducive to actual water plants could be flat or craggy areas that receive splashing, providing the necessary moisture for the moss, baby tears (Soleirolia soleirolii) or Isotoma fluviatilis. Other water plants that do not require a specific root base can be placed almost anywhere in a waterfall such as water pea, parrot feather and watercress.
An attribute of moss or baby tears is that it does not require a large quantity initially to look great. If it receives the proper amount of moisture, it will spread and grow rapidly, even climbing up rocks and other areas of the koi pond.
It is important to plant the proper type of vegetation to prevent overcrowding when they become mature. A good example is two common pond plants, Papyrus and Horse Tail (Equisetum fluviatale ). Both of these plants need to be contained, either in a planter pot or a separate pocket built right into the koi pond or waterfall.
Consider creating a bog pond or bog planter on the perimeter of your koi pond. A bog pond is a raised, shallow (6 to 8 inches deep) pond filled with bog plants. Here is one of the best lists I have found to date with more information on the subject: ( HYPERLINK “http://www.plantideas.com/bog/index.html” http://www.plantideas.com/bog/index.html). Flood this area with a portion of the unfiltered waterfall return water and allow it to trail back into the koi pond. You have now created a very effective natural biological filter. The fish waste, as it is absorbed by the bog soil, is broken down into ammonia by aerobic bacteria (using oxygen). These aerobic bacteria reproduce at higher rates than do the beneficial Nitrosomonas bacteria, which actually break down the ammonia. So aerobic bacteria compete for oxygen with the Nitrosomonas and use so much of it that the area they inhabit becomes anaerobic, or oxygen-deficient.
The ammonia by-product of fish waste being broken down by aerobic bacteria is now ?attacked? by Nitrosomonas. This further breaks it down into toxic nitrite. Then the nitrite is broken down by other aerobic bacteria called nitrobacters, which convert nitrite into beneficial nitrates in the form of food for the plants.
Smaller bog planters can be created at the koi pond?s edge, in much the same way as the larger bog pond was. As the water passes through these bog planters and goes through the process of being cleaned, it picks up oxygen before returning to the pond.
One of the most effective ways to add large quantities of oxygen to the water is by the use of Venturi injectors. For a complimentary instruction sheet on how to construct a Venturi injector, download at homepage.mac.com/doughoover. Happy koi, peace & joy.
Douglas C. Hoover; Master Waterfall Builder, CEO of Aquamedia Corp, freelance writer, author, architect, inventor, engineer, designer and builder of over 1900 waterfall and ponds in California or the past 26 years.
Dec
01
Controlling Oxygen Levels In Your Pond
Posted by: | CommentsIf you have fish in your pond, you want to keep them healthy. One thing that can cause your fish to die unexpectedly is stress caused by lack of oxygen. Fish need oxygen, just like we do. But instead of absorbing it from the air, as we do, they absorb it from the water. If the oxygen level in the water is too low, then the fish can get stressed and die.
Algae can cause a lack of oxygen in two ways. Algae produce oxygen during the day. At night, this oxygen is absorbed from the water by the plants in the pond. If there is a large quantity of algae in the water, then plants will quickly deplete the oxygen at night, leaving none for the fish. If the algae dies suddenly, either naturally or through the use of an algaecide, this can cause a loss of oxygen, since the algae are dead, and no longer producing oxygen. The decomposing algae can also further deplete oxygen from the pond.
If you have a lot of fish in your pond, then the oxygen level in the water may be just enough for the fish. If there are any further claims on the oxygen supply, then the delicate balance will be thrown off. When the water starts to warm, it cannot hold as much oxygen as cold weather. If you do not have sufficient aeration of the pond, then things can quickly get critical. When the weather warms up, a small fountain or waterfall may not suffice to keep the water sufficiently oxygenated. As the water warms up, you’ll need to provide more aeration to keep your fish from dying.
The only way that you can measure the oxygen levels accurately is with testing devices. For the average person keeping a pond, these testing devices may not be on hand. The easiest way to ensure that the pond has sufficient oxygen, is to provide generous and continuous aeration. Diffusers and airstones, along with an air pump will bubble air into the water, and help to maintain the oxygen at sufficient levels. Get a small electric air pump, and run some tubing to the airstone, and place it into the pond. If you have a large pond, you may need more than one airstone.
Other ways to get oxygen into the water are through waterfalls and fountains, which churn up the water, adding oxygen. If you plan on having a waterfall flowing into your pond, you should make sure it is large enough to aerate the water. If you already have a waterfall, it may not be feasible for you to enlarge it. In this case, an extra pump and a fountain or two will provide aeration for your pond. You can find fountains in different sizes, with various spray patterns. In addition to providing oxygen for the pond, waterfalls and fountains have the added advantage of providing the soothing sound of falling water. You get to maintain oxygen levels, and relax to the sound of falling water… Sweet!
If you’re going to have fish in your pond, it’s your responsibility to keep them healthy. If you ensure that they have plenty of oxygen, the fish will be happier and healthier, and they’ll be around for you to enjoy for a long time.
Tim is the author and webmaster of Water Gardens & Fountains, where you can find more tips and resources to help you build your own backyard water feature.
Oct
22
Pond Pumps For Your Garden Pond
Posted by: | Comments
Derek Rogers asked:
Amazingly, there is a few different web site “superstores” for all your pond pumps if you reside in the UK.
If you were unaware, you will find these are extremely crucial for beautiful garden ponds and keeping the water sparkling clear. If you have fish this will also help to provide additional oxygen for them.
There are several different pumps available on the market now for your garden pond and you will find they are all very reasonable in pricing. The specific type really depends on what you want and how you actually want your pond to look.
For example, there are statuary garden pond pumps that offer a waterfall affect. While there are other types of that enhance the overall essence of the garden pond. The choices are numerous and the decision could even be a little difficult.
Regardless of what type of pump you choose; be sure it is properly installed for the best possible performance. Many of them also come with a warranty or a guarantee of some kind. There are a few that are guaranteed for life.
The pond pumps that are designed for the fountains and waterfalls are different than others and it is a good idea to know the difference. These pumps have a larger water intake for the design of the fountains or waterfalls to be effective. This allows for elegance in your as well as great performance and convenience as well. When water is constantly moving the water can’t sit and become stagnate or stale looking. This can then show off the beauty which therefore offers hours of viewing pleasure for those who love to sit out in their gardens.
You will have the best looking garden pond in your area and you will find different individuals will start to comment!
Many pumps are used for ornamental ponds and finding the one that is best suited for the size of your garden pond is another concept that should be taken into consideration. The pump should be a good size to allow proper usage. In some situations more than one statuary pump is used in order to allow for all the different fountains, waterfalls, and other areas.
A typically unusual type of pump is being used now in many different areas of the UK which offers remote control in the set up kit. The kit uses better coverage of an area and in addition to this it offers less clogging for many ponds up to a certain size. For more information about these pumps simply do a search for aquatic superstores in the UK via the Internet and you will get web site results that will help you out a great deal. From pricing, to availability and installation assistance as well as finding out all of the newly created designs in garden pond pumps that are essentially available to give you the best looking garden around. It is that time of year so start looking around now for the best deals.
External Pond Pump
Amazingly, there is a few different web site “superstores” for all your pond pumps if you reside in the UK.
If you were unaware, you will find these are extremely crucial for beautiful garden ponds and keeping the water sparkling clear. If you have fish this will also help to provide additional oxygen for them.
There are several different pumps available on the market now for your garden pond and you will find they are all very reasonable in pricing. The specific type really depends on what you want and how you actually want your pond to look.
For example, there are statuary garden pond pumps that offer a waterfall affect. While there are other types of that enhance the overall essence of the garden pond. The choices are numerous and the decision could even be a little difficult.
Regardless of what type of pump you choose; be sure it is properly installed for the best possible performance. Many of them also come with a warranty or a guarantee of some kind. There are a few that are guaranteed for life.
The pond pumps that are designed for the fountains and waterfalls are different than others and it is a good idea to know the difference. These pumps have a larger water intake for the design of the fountains or waterfalls to be effective. This allows for elegance in your as well as great performance and convenience as well. When water is constantly moving the water can’t sit and become stagnate or stale looking. This can then show off the beauty which therefore offers hours of viewing pleasure for those who love to sit out in their gardens.
You will have the best looking garden pond in your area and you will find different individuals will start to comment!
Many pumps are used for ornamental ponds and finding the one that is best suited for the size of your garden pond is another concept that should be taken into consideration. The pump should be a good size to allow proper usage. In some situations more than one statuary pump is used in order to allow for all the different fountains, waterfalls, and other areas.
A typically unusual type of pump is being used now in many different areas of the UK which offers remote control in the set up kit. The kit uses better coverage of an area and in addition to this it offers less clogging for many ponds up to a certain size. For more information about these pumps simply do a search for aquatic superstores in the UK via the Internet and you will get web site results that will help you out a great deal. From pricing, to availability and installation assistance as well as finding out all of the newly created designs in garden pond pumps that are essentially available to give you the best looking garden around. It is that time of year so start looking around now for the best deals.
External Pond Pump
