My Phosphate test is hard to tell .... but it doesn't seem really high ... My nitrate looks at about 20. I included pictures because I'm not good at this color matching. What do you think?
Green water :(
- Thread starter Priscilla
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My Phosphate test is hard to tell .... but it doesn't seem really high ... My nitrate looks at about 20. I included pictures because I'm not good at this color matching. What do you think?
Maybe my water isn't exactly pea soup. But its quite green.
When I scooped it out to test, it looked fine, not green.
I will go pick up some more hyacinths. I have a bunch in there already, but the fish eat the roots they don't do well. Same with the water lettuce.
When I scooped it out to test, it looked fine, not green.
I will go pick up some more hyacinths. I have a bunch in there already, but the fish eat the roots they don't do well. Same with the water lettuce.
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I've never found that there's much point testing for Phosphate while there's algae present. The algae will consume the phosphate so it won't be available for your test.
Once you get your UV back on line and the water is clear again, then test for Phosphate.
You could look at a lanthanum chloride product that will target the phosphate. That's what I use in my indoor aquariums.
Green water isn't that bad, just make sure you have plenty of aeration/water circulation during the evening when the algae turns to consuming oxygen.
Once you get your UV back on line and the water is clear again, then test for Phosphate.
You could look at a lanthanum chloride product that will target the phosphate. That's what I use in my indoor aquariums.
Green water isn't that bad, just make sure you have plenty of aeration/water circulation during the evening when the algae turns to consuming oxygen.
Thanks for the info. I do have an aerator and the water fall running 24/7. So I should be good. I'm ordering a new aerator with 4 air stones.
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Great. I really wouldn't worry too much about the green water.
The biggest danger is at night.
The biggest danger is at night.
Okay, well the plants are definitely happy. My water lilies are out of control. I swear the fish are looking bigger too. I didn't feed them this morning, I think they are mad at me. LOL! I went out there and they all started coming up looking for food.
I would like to suggest "upgrading" that food. Many of the top ingredients are just "fillers" that will mainly pass through the fish. One koi food brand that seems to be popular is Blackwater Creek. I have not tried it yet but I will come next Spring. I have also been feeding my fish cheap food up until now. Their food is about twice as expensive per pound but a 5 pound bag should last me a good while.
I just noticed the nitrate card and it looks closer to 160 to me. I wish the colors were easier to differentiate.
Yes, its quite difficult. It definitely had an orange color to it, more than a red. You can see where I am holding the test tube against the colors, you can see the red stripe through the test tube, but further up the orange is kind of invisible - I take that to mean its the same color. Its not scientific or anything, but I use that method ...... it might be wrong.
I need to order some new food. I had been using the tetra food until now.
Is this what you are talking about?
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_s...,aps,216&rh=i:aps,k:blackwater+creek+koi+food
I think I will go back to tetra pond sticks.
Yes that's what I mean. The protein content of the terra pond sticks I googled is below 30%. That's not good. The ingredient list isn't impressive either. I hope it doesn't sound like I'm picking on you. I'm not
Meyer Jordan
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Phosphorus level appears to be acceptable. Nitrate level at 20, given the fact that you have a noticeable presence of planktonic algae, I would consider on the high side. As MitchM stated, Green Water, at low levels, is not really a problem especially for Goldfish. They seem to thrive in these types of environments.
Aeration may help somewhat by supplying additional Oxygen to the bacteria that compete with planktonic algae for food.
Bottom line is (and I know that you don't want to hear this) is that you have more biological demand in your pond than 2200 gallons can naturally accommodate. This is called Eutrophication. Until this is rectified, it will always be an issue.
Mmathis
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Based on my limited knowledge...... Plants help with nitrates, but the best way to eliminate them is through water changes.
Oh I like that idea. Good call.
callingcolleen1
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I recommend using Laguna Liquid Pond Peat for water quality issues. This stuff is really the best and when I had pea green water in the little tiny 80 gallon pond out front, it worked very well. I dumped in lots and you really cannot overdose cause it is natural. It will dye the water very dark for a while, but when the water clears, you should have Crystal Clear water!
Matter of fact it is good for the fish too cause it is a natural fungicide
and very very good for the plants as well!
Matter of fact it is good for the fish too cause it is a natural fungicide