The Nitrification Cycle In Fish Ponds or How Ammonia Is Converted To Nitrates
Much of this site is about Viresco and it's ability to remove algae and blanketweed it is important to understand what happens in a fish pond day in and day out. It is worthwhile looking at the problem from a perspective of fish metabolism. Fish naturally produce ammonia and this is poisonous in even small quantities. In nature bacteria convert this poison to nitrite then nitrate which is far less poisonous to fish. This is achieved by what is known as the Nitrification Cycle. here's a diagram ..
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An objective of all pond keepers should be to remove nitrate completely from pond water and then to keep it at nil for long periods. Whether blanketweed or other algae are present is not really the only consideration. Viresco Aqua and Viresco Koi will reduce nitrate level to zero and keep it there. An additional benefit of this is that algae will starve to death. Removal of nitrate must also be seen as a prime objective in relation to good fish health. Once nitrate is removed from pond water the pond becomes a healthier place for fish and other aquatic life. Many pond keepers have reported that, when nitrate is at zero, fish become "livelier", are "happier"and become "different animals".
When there is a lot of fish in a pond large amounts of nitrate are produced. Many pond keepers overstock their ponds because they have enough filtration capacity. Many pond keepers overfeed their koi or goldfish. Many pond keepers prefer to use more high protein food. All this mean that more ammonia is produced than would normally be expected. It also means more nitrite and nitrate is produced too. In these circumstances more Viresco product should be introduced into the pond to compensate for the increase in nitrate arising from the extra fish waste.
Pond keepers should "THINK NITRATE" and set out to take nitrate levels down to nil. Chemicals (algicides) used for killing algae do not address the problem of nitrate in pond water. When the chemical algicide is used up the algae starts to grow again because the nitrate is still dissolved in the pond water. Electronic or magnetic gadgets do not address the problem of nitrate either. The only real alternative to a microbial approach it seems is the installation of vegetable filters or regular water changes to reduce nitrate levels. However even using methods like this the nitrate level will normally not drop to zero and stay there. Viresco products will remove nitrate completely and keep it at zero for some time. That's the secret to Viresco's success.
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The Nitrogen Cycle ... please refer to the diagram above and thanks to John McLauchlan for this diagram.
Regular nitrate testing of the pond water is important when Viresco products are used. Check the nitrate level before applying Viresco and then repeat the test approximately every week to see the trend in nitrate reduction. The nitrate reading will fall to zero and the algae will die. Keep testing the nitrate weekly. If nitrate levels start to rise again add a small booster dose of Viresco.
Where does the ammonia then nitrite then nitrate come from? It mainly arises indirectly from the protein that is the food fish take in. It can also arise from the decay of organic debris in ponds. The diagram above (Nitification Cycle) shows how ammonia, nitrite and nitrate arise in a pond. Nitrosomonas bacteria in the biofilter convert the ammonia to nitrite and then nitrobacter bacteria convert the nitrite to nitrate. Oxygen dissolved in water allows these processes to take place. To complete the cycle of breaking nitrates down to nitrogen requires anaerobic conditions
Other useful links on this site
What's the solution, how much and where can I buy it now?
Viresco product more details and pack sizes ... shows pictures & details on labels
How Viresco products work in ponds of all sizes
Bringing Viresco back to life after it arrives in the post
All about algae and why it forms
Organic waste treatment in ponds and how Viresco helps solve the ulcer problem too
Independent test results and performance of Viresco
Testimonials from very satisfied users