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!
**************************************************

---

Teak Planters - Accent Your Outdoor Space with One

Do you want to add something to your outdoor space... Read More

Garden Sheds - More Than Just Storage

You may already have a garage or shed in your... Read More

Sleeping Beauties: Porches For Dreaming

There's something magical about sleeping outside, drinking in the night... Read More

Fuchsia procumbens

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

Tractors and Their History

I recently bought a small tractor for my garden, which... Read More

Planting Bare Root Roses

Before planting, the plants must be prepared. The following suggestions... Read More

Choosing Garden Furniture

No matter how pleasant a garden is, it is not... Read More

With So Many Choices For Patio Furniture, Finding The Perfect Set To Complement Your Yard Is Easy

There is nothing more relaxing than kicking back with a... Read More

CO2 for Free

We've all heard that there is no such thing as... Read More

Gardening Tips for Early - Mid July

Now we are fast approaching the hottest time of the... Read More

Durable Wooden Swing - Decorate Your Outdoors with One

There is nothing better to do on a hot, lazy... Read More

All about Tulip Gardens

As the curtain of winter lifts, tulips are one of... Read More

Wildlife in Winter Ponds

This may seem contradictory, but you want to leave a... Read More

Keeping the Balance of Nature: Pond Water Maintenance

You might be tempted to let Mother Nature, tend to... Read More

Metal Outdoor Furniture - Explained

Mention metal patio furniture and you probably think of the... Read More

How to Create a Zen Garden

When you hear the term "Zen Garden" the picture conjured... Read More

Marjoram: The Herb of Happiness

Called the "herb of happiness," Origanum majorana, commonly known as... Read More

How to Choose the Right Bulbs for Your Spring Flower Garden

Choosing the right bulbs involves more than just selecting colors... Read More

Orchid Care What The Flower Tells

In Orchid Care The Flower Will Tell You About Some... Read More

Hydroponics Gardening - An Introduction To Hydroponics Gardening For Beginners

The Basics of Hydroponics Gardening.What is hydroponics gardening?Derived from the... Read More

Porch Swing Places: Where to Put a Porch Swing

So you've purchased a Porch Swing (or are about to)... Read More

The Many Types of Palm Trees

There are thousands of species of Palm Trees. They are... Read More

Gardening Vertically: Fad, Emerging Frontier or Long-Overlooked Art Form

Sure, it makes sense that there's a buzz about vertical... Read More

Choosing the Proper Pond Pump

Whether you have a preformed or a liner pond, a... Read More

Orchid Care - What The Root Tells Us

Orchid Care Part 4 Diseases of the RootsOur final part... Read More