Creating a healthy environment for aquatic life

Water chemistry and its direct impact on the health and longevity of your fish, turtles, and other aquatic specie

Proper water chemistry has a vital role in increasing life expectancy for your fish, turtles, and other aquatic life. There are many different levels that need to be tested and monitored but I want to focus on the most important two that can fluctuate and can be magnified with an improper setup of your pond or lake. But first, I wanted to cover the most common issues I run into. Those are overstocking of aquatic species or too many fish for the size of your system. Missing fountains, aerators, or lack of streams or waterfalls. And none or not the appropriate pond plants to balance the water chemistry to maintain clear water and a healthy ecosystem. Below I will explain the direct effects of water chemistry that cannot be seen until it's too late.

This is why it is imperative to have a trained professional test and service your pond or lake to maintain a balanced, healthy, and thriving ecosystem that appeals to humans, fish, and all aquatic life.

Ammonia(0ppm), Nitrites(0ppm) & Nitrates (20-80ppm)

Ammonia is caused by aquatic life secretion, uneaten fish food, or decaying organic matter at the bottom of your ecosystem. High levels of ammonia will deplete oxygen levels and certain levels are extremely toxic to fish, turtles, aquatic plants, and every living organism in your water feature. The only immediate remedy would be a partial water change. Long-term solutions are properly stocking your pond or lake with the appropriate amount of fauna. Removing any dead organic matter at the bottom. And by adding the correct aquatic plants that excel at removing ammonia.

As your system cycles, ammonia breaks down into nitrites. Much like ammonia, high nitrite levels are toxic to your ecosystem. If ammonia levels are high, nitrite levels will be high. Since it's a byproduct of ammonia, it is treated in the same fashion.

Again, as your system cycles, nitrites are broken down into nitrates. Higher nitrate levels are much safer for aquatic life and aquatic plants. In fact, high nitrate levels are what make pond plants flourish and bloom. However, it is extremely important to monitor your nitrate as high nitrate levels cause massive algae blooms. It is also important to keep in mind if your system is void of aquatic plants, and there's nothing to absorb the nitrates, it can lead to a toxic condition for aquatic life.

Dissolved Oxygen (Ideal dissolved oxygen levels are 5ppm-20ppm)

Properly balanced water chemistry is imperative for all aquatic life. Dissolved oxygen is an oxygen gas that is dissolved in water.  This is done by streams, waterfalls, fountains, aerators, and anything else that may break the surface tension. Dissolved oxygen is depleted by excessive algae, aquatic plants at night, overstocked ponds or lakes with fish and turtles, and improper water chemistry.  Thorough testing must be done to accurately measure oxygen levels. During the day, any fountains, pumps, or aerators will be running and will add dissolved oxygen. Photosynthesis from your aquatic plants will also raise oxygen levels. At night, as fish rest and plant respiratory slows, dissolved oxygen levels will deplete. This is exacerbated when pumps, aerators, or fountains are turned off. It's nearly impossible to oversaturate or over-aerate your ecosystem. That is why it is strongly recommended to have plenty of aquatic plants, aeration, and water movement throughout the day to compensate for the levels dropping at night.