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Jan 10th, 2023
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Joined: Apr 2013
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OP
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 2 |
Hi. Water test results are in, and at first i thought i was a little high on the Phosphorous and Ammonia. But then, i looked again and had missed the "0" in the optimal range. This puts me over 10 times the optimal limit on the phosphorous and ammonia. I had been looking at some bacterial products to try and neutralize the phosphorous, but am wondering with 10 times that recommended range am I wasting my money?
My pond is just under an acre surface area, with an average depth around 6 feet. Water has been green for about 2 years now and once the weather warms up I'll be getting the algae blooms. trying to avoid it this year if possible...
Optimal Range
pH 7.6 units 6.8-8.2
Total Phosphorous 0.36 mg/l <.025
Ammonia NH3 0.28 mg/l <0.05
Nitrate NO3 ̄ 0.4 mg/l <10
Nitrite NO2 ̄ 0.03 mg/l <0.5
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,078 Likes: 281
Moderator Lunker
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Moderator Lunker
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,078 Likes: 281 |
No alkalinity and/or hardness?
It's not about the fish. It's about the pond. Take care of the pond and the fish will be fine. PB subscriber since before it was in color.
Without a sense of urgency, Nothing ever gets done.
Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley Rancher and Farmer Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 20,043 Likes: 1
Hall of Fame  Lunker
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Hall of Fame Lunker
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 20,043 Likes: 1 |
Gslats,
Not sure about phosphorous as I don't concern myself with it, but I don't see anything there that would concern me. Besides, ammonia should fall to untestable levels once your water warms up and your nitrification cycle kicks in.
I think the optimum reading you have listed for ammonia is unionized not the total ammonia you are showing. I think that reading is supposed to be NH4.
Last edited by Cecil Baird1; 04/18/13 10:00 PM.
If pigs could fly bacon would be harder to come by and there would be a lot of damaged trees.
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,524 Likes: 273
Moderator Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
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Moderator Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
Joined: Mar 2005
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NH 3 ( this is called unionized ammonia ) NH 4 + ( this is called ionized ammonia ) .
Phosphate concentration of .01 to .03 milligrams per liter --- the standard measurement of phosphate --- is considered normal for uncontaminated pond water. Levels over .25 milligrams per liter are considered high and vulnerable to algal blooms and eutrophication.
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 2,315
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 2,315 |
How would you get that level down? Is it caused by a nutrient overload?
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 2
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OP
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 2 |
The results i got did not have alkalinity or hardness, i just got the standard test. next time i'll spring for more testing!
ewest- so for my phosphorous at .36 mg/l, that is above the .25 mg/l you reference as being high. is it so high that treating it with an enzyme and bacteria product to digest the phosphorous futile?
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 969
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 969 |
Consider getting a "orthophosphate" test PO4 It is a better indicator of whats available for algae and aquatic plants than a "total" phosphate reading.You can have a high ortho but a low total or a high total and low ortho. Just using a total can misslead you.As far as the "green" also consider sending Kevin Ripp at AquaFix www.naturalake.com a representitive sample and they will let you know what is going on in your water. Also which bacteria product and rates to accomplish your goals.
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,524 Likes: 273
Moderator Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
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Moderator Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,524 Likes: 273 |
Agree with Ted. Get all the facts and options prior to making a choice. Kevin is an excellent source of info.
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 19
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 19 |
Total P in our groundwater (ms delta) has measured 0.6 mg/l. As mentioned above, you want dissolved reactive PO4. I'm working on lakes right now with a TIP of 0.7 and DIP of 0.08. So I wouldn't jump to conclusions just yet.
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