Oxygen is #1
Oxygen is the most important constituent of water body health. Oxygen is an essential element for all aquatic organisms that breathe. Therefore, there is a direct relationship between the oxygen concentrations and exchanges occurring in a water body, and the physiological status of aquatic organisms.
- Without oxygen at the bottom of the water body, anaerobic bacteria (those that live without oxygen) produce acids. These acids not only increase acidity, but also cause a massive release of phosphorus and nitrogen), two major fertilizers, from the organic sediment and into the water column.
- These same anaerobic bacteria put toxic gases in the water including hydrogen sulfide (that rotten egg smell), ammonia, carbon dioxide and methane. These gases are all toxic to fish, beneficial bacteria and insects.
- Lack of bottom oxygen is the cause of odors produced by anaerobic bacteria.
- These same anaerobes kill beneficial bacteria and insects that would feed on the bottom organic sediment and biodegrade it into carbon dioxide, water and a tiny amount of inorganic ash. This ash is beneficial in reducing acidity.
- Lack of oxygen can cause fish kills or prevent fish from feeding on benthic (bottom feeding) insects.
- Lack of fish enables disease-hosting mosquitoes to thrive, as mosquitoes are natural food for fish.
- Anaerobic bacteria include many types of pathogenic (disease-producing) bacteria. These diseases include cholera, scabies, typhoid, shigella, salmonella, botulism and miscellaneous bacteria that cause infectious boils and sores.
- Without oxygen at the bottom at all times, beneficial bacteria and insects cannot biodegrade the accumulations of organic sediment.
- If your pond is less than a half acre foot and you feel that there is not enough oxygen in your pond, you can add Quick Fix to oxygenate the water.
- If you have a large farm pond (larger than a half acre foot) and feel that there is not enough oxygen in your pond, you should add an aeration devise such as a waterfall to the pond.
