Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Pond problems

I have a 1.3 acre pond with 400 lb of channel cat with 1 1/2 hp kasco aerator. after the recent flood I removed the debrie but the pond remain muddy with low oxygen in the am....so I added an addition 1/4 aerator....at the same time my nitrite level went up to .8 ppm (deep purple)...I added 200 lb salt....Is there anything I can add to the pond to reduce the nitrite and get the pond back in balance... help

Dejardo:

Good to hear you survived the flooding of early July. In a 10-day period here in Kendall County, we received 30-32 inches of rain.

Tiny Menger Creek, which currently is about ankle-deep, on the night of July 4, swept some foolish motorist into the Cibolo and they found his body between Fair Oaks Ranch and San Antonio.

Observations on your pond's low oxygen level in the morning: Without seeing the site, the two most obvious problems indicate of a malfunctioning aeration unit or an overabundance of aquatic vegetation.

Do you have a problem with either? Double-check to be sure.

As for the nitrite level, I wonder why you added salt. I'm no chemist, but nitrites ARE salts.

(signed,)
Eager to help, but puzzled,
Mark McDonald
Editor, Pond Boss
Boerne

Nice to hear from you , we received about 35inches. Our problem was a flash flood of 6 inches of water in 45 mins...we recovered. The lake area is like a ghost town we'll get ready for next year/. We have no vegatation in the ponds and our aerators are fine Pond color is light brown...by adding salt it protect the catfish from nitrite poisoning..I just can't get the nitrite level down....

Several thoughts here. First, when was the last time you bought chemicals for your nitrite test kit? I suspect your reagents have aged beyond their usefulness.
Secondly, as long as you have at least 4 ppm oxygen each morning, your pond should continue to show signs of improving, with aeration running 24/7. Keep the aerators going. Muddy water isn't necessarily an indicator of low oxygen or increased nitrites. But, as much fresh water as you received, you probably lost buffering capacity. Send a water sample to the soil sciences lab at Texas A&M, form available from your county agent. If your water needs a chemical adjustment, a water analysis will tell the tale. Do a "standard water well" test. Costs $20. If alkalinity is below 20 ppm and pH is below 6.5, consider liming, using calcium carbonate. If pH is higher than 6.5, and alkalinity is higher than 20 ppm, hang in there, good things are happening.