Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Water chemistry High Ammonia

A 13 acre lake, clear, 7 feet deep, some Southern Naiad on the bottom, surrounded by a couple thousand acres of ag fields and three horses penned up along one shore, little shoreline vegetation, erosion happening, that has high ammonia levels. It may have killed lots fish last year, but was not involved and cannot say for sure. I assume the ammonia is coming from surrounding ag operations. I'm looking for suggestions to lower the ammonia so they can have a fishing lake?

Thanks.

Take a look at this SRAC fact sheet.

Managing Ammonia in Fish Ponds


http://srac.tamu.edu/tmppdfs/144249-SRAC...9a8a7011cb1d297

I already had that, I was hoping for someone with experience with this same scenario. This lake has been so puzzling. They overstocked the forage two years ago, kept it full for four months last year with 400 gal/min well water, while also pumping out at a similar rate for crops. It would have been better if they had drained, dried and refilled, but they thought they had a bunch of forage present waiting for the bass that I have put on hold. According to literature it should have flushed out? When I got involved the alkalinity, hardness and pH were high, but I did not test for ammonia last fall, as I did not have the capapbility yet. Then in the winter the water chem parameters became normal, then this Spring the ammonia sky rocketed. It appears that fertilizing may help absorb the ammonia, as I origionally was afraid it might raise it? It also is in dire straits of aeration due to its shallowness, which will also help some with ammonia. Thanks for your help. I really like this board, you guys do a good job!

I sent Bill Cody a PM to see what he can add.

I sort of doubt that ammonia caused last yrs fish kill, but I'm not saying it couldn't happen. An oxygen shortage in that shallow water body more likely killed last yrs fish. Elevated ammonia concentrations (total ammonia conc) should result in a phytoplankton -plant bloom unless Phos or alkalinity are limiting factors.

Ammonia can sometimes (not often) become somewhat elevated in early Spring before the denitrifying bacteria and-or phytoplankton can get it under control. Retest after water warms to verify elevated concentrations. Be sure to test water promptly after collection and properly. Be aware of chemical interferences.

As pH or salinity (total hardness) rises ammonia tends to be more toxic. If you truly have valid high levels of ammonia, I think it would be easier to fix the source than try to mediate the elevated ammonia concentrations. I suggest one look for the source or cause that should be fairly apparent and find a way to abate it. Most non-fish production ponds can usually handle normal ammonia production. Firstly you need to verify that ammonia is truly high and your values not a false readings.


What are your current water chemical parameters of pH, alkalinity, T.hardness, ammonia and transparency for this pond?

Thanks for the input. The ammonia levels went down and the bloom as you said has started. PH, alkalinity and hardness are all within the desirable ranges. PB YOU HAVE A GREAT WEB SITE!