Toxic Pollutants & Their Effect on Fish Health

Once water temperatures increase in the summer months, fish become more active and produce increasing amounts of waste, leading to potential water pollution. Fish produce waste in the form of ammonia, which is broken down into nitrites then nitrates by beneficial bacteria. Both ammonia and nitrite are very harmful to fish, even in very small quantities. Ammonia, in particular, is more toxic at high temperatures and can cause severe problems. In fact, water can hold five times as much dangerous ammonia at 77°F as opposed to 41°F. The effect on water quality is exaggerated by a high pH, resulting in the formation of more toxic ammonia.

High nitrite levels are also more dangerous in low oxygen water levels. Nitrite causes the hemoglobin in the fish's blood to form metheamoglobin, which cannot carry as much oxygen around the body of the fish, therefore making fish lethargic.

Nitrates are relatively harmless to freshwater fish and act as great fertilizers for plants. However, they also encourage the growth of unwelcome algae, such as green water or blanket weed. So, be sure to test the water quality every few weeks with a kit.

If there is a noticeable reduction in water flow, you can back flush your pressure filters and gently rinse any biological media in a bucket of pond water. (Depending on your type of filter, its biological media can be anything from plastic cylinders/spheres to spaghetti-like strands to foam pads.) Biological media should never be washed under the hose; chlorine contained in the water kills the beneficial bacteria. Remember to never scrub the media clean; simply rinse off any excess sludge or debris so beneficial bacteria will remain intact and active, restarting the biological process.

**************************************************
Brett Fogle is the owner of MacArthur Water Gardens and several
other pond-related websites including MacArthurWatergardens.com
and Pond-Filters-Online.com. He also publishes a free monthly
newsletter called PondStuff! with a reader circulation of over
9,000. To sign up for the free newsletter and receive our FREE
'New Pond Owners Guide' visit MacArthur Water Gardens today!
**************************************************

Flowering Cherries

Flowering cherries While the briefness of their... Read More

A Guide for Servicing Your Chainsaw

Chainsaws provide many years of service for very little upkeep.... Read More

Catch a Leprechaun in Your Garden

There is no mention to be found of female leprechauns... Read More

Lifes a Beach--A Shore Theme in your Outdoor Space

Twentieth century American architect Phillip Johnson once said, "I hate... Read More

Camellias

Camellias Named by Linnaeus in 1735 in honour of... Read More

Kirengeshoma palmata

Kirengeshoma palmata Sometimes known as yellow waxbells, Kirengeshoma palmata... Read More

Fuchsia procumbens

Fuchsia (named after Leonhard Fuchs, a 16th century German botanist)... Read More

Gallica Roses

Very soon stocks of new season's roses will... Read More

Tuberous Begonias

If you appreciate plants that have no hesitation in boldly... Read More

Growing Palms

Palms Everybody recognises palm trees, they are the... Read More

Cyclamen

Think of cyclamen and the chances are that Mothers Day... Read More

Edgeworthia Chrysantha

Although it is a member of the Thymelaeaceae, the family... Read More

Delavays Blueberry (Vaccinium delavayi)

Whether we know it or not, most of us are... Read More

The Protea Family (Proteaceae)

The protea family (Proteaceae) includes a wide range of ground... Read More

Viburnum

Viburnums are related to the honeysuckles, so it should come... Read More

Discount Patio Furniture ? An Easy Way to Get the Best

Buying discount patio furniture is an economical way to obtain... Read More

Patio Design ? Expanding Your Home Outdoors

A patio can be... Read More

Daphnes for Scent and Colour

Anyone with even a passing knowledge of plants knows that... Read More

Can Your Sundial Really Tell The Time?

"I am a sundial, and I make a botch Of... Read More

Science Cant Explain Everything!

You will know that if you have spent at least... Read More

No Dig Gardens - How to Build One

The no dig garden is exactly what it describes...a fertile... Read More

Starting Seedlings Indoors

Unless you have access to a greenhouse, or something like... Read More

Composting - aka: The Circle of Life!

Composting is where the gardening thing comes full circle. You've... Read More

Growing Vegetables in Containers - The Compact Solution

Container vegetable gardens are a great alternative for those that... Read More

Cat Repellent or How to Keep Cats Out of Your Garden

Do cat repellents work? How to stop a cat from... Read More