Green Water & Ammonia In Pond...

[Liam]

Hello All...

My 2000 gallon Koi pond ( New Jersey ) is about 5 years old, and overstocked, largest koi about 15" long, the rest are smaller.

Had a huge algae problem... installed a 60 watt uv lamp.

The Green Pond Turned Into a brown pond ( dead algae ).

Had a old above ground pool sand filter given to me, so I Installed it In line with the pump / waterfall.

The sand in the filter trapped all the debris, but the brown dead algae passed straight through, apparently the brown dead algae was too small to be trapped.

I read someplace that Zeolite crystals ( sold in pool supply stores ) was capable of trapping much smaller particles, so I replaced the sand with zeolite.

The zeolite trapped EVERYTHING, including the brown dead algae, and the water is now crystal for over 5 months.

Added bonus... undetectable ammonia levels for 5 months despite overstocked pond.

I have an automated sensor to back flush the filter when the waterfall flow drops below 70% to clean the debris from the zeolite, and I think the flushing is also removing the absorbed ammonia from the zeolite ( not sure ).


Don't know if this system will help any one ... but It sure keeps my pond clean.

Best Regards,

Liam

 

[mrsclem]

Zeolite is also available from Tractor Supply- sold as Sweet PDZ. It neutralizes ammonia in horse stalls.

 

[Liam]

Did not know that!

Tractor Supply just down the road, Thanks.

Liam

 

[WaterGardener]

I learn something new every day!

 

[j.w]

I had to look up Zeolite, interesting read: https://www.pondlovers.com/zeolite-in-the-pond-blessing-or-curse/

 

[mrsclem]

I think it was Sissy that originally posted about using it.

 

[Lisak1]

Glad to hear you found a "solution" however... (you all know what's coming)... the problem still exists. You know what it is, and unless you deal with that you will face bigger issues down the road. It's called "overstocked" for a reason. The issues you're addressing - green water, unwanted algae, ammonia - are not caused by a lack of zeolite. They're caused by too much biomass in your pond. You will lose that battle eventually, unless you constantly add more filtration. And even then I wonder about the effects of living in an overstocked pond and the stress it could cause your fish. I know I don't enjoy being in places that are crowded or congested, even temporarily. You're walking on a tightrope in my opinion.

 

[WaterGardener]

I also wonder about the effect that eliminating ammonia will have on the beneficial bacteria. That bacteria needs ammonia to live on. If you do away with the ammonia, it seems to me that your bacteria will die.

I realize that the ammonia is constantly being created in the pond. So to keep it in check would there also have to be a regular dosing of zeolite? How long does it last?

 

[Liam]

All the water chemestry levels are good. Water is crystal clear.
The only solution to overstocking is to kill some of the fish ( No One wants them ).
I think the fish would prefer ( If they had a choice ) to live a little overcrowded, than to die.
None of the fish are acting strangely ( as sick or stressed fish often do ) All are eating well and active.
Enentually Some of the fish will die of natural causes, and the problem will resolve itself
( As long as I don't add more fish ).

 

[WaterGardener]

You could always add more filtration. If you have too many fish, like a lot of us, more filtration will help. I'm a firm believer that you can't have too much.

 

[Liam]

I certainly will. What ever it takes to keep my fish healthy, In a clean home.

 

[Lisak1]

I think the fish would prefer ( If they had a choice ) to live a little overcrowded, than to die.

I'm sure all living things would prefer to live. The problem is eventually they won't have a choice. The tipping point will be upon you - and them - and nature will "take care of" the problem they only way nature can.