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WATER QUALITY
The quality of your pond water directly affects the health of your plants and fish. Good water quality will result in healthy plants and fish where as poor water quality will do just the opposite. With proper Stocking, Filtration (if needed), Water Conditioning, and patience your pond will have good water quality. By these means, pond owners attempt to re-create what happens in nature so to acheive a balanced eco-system. This fundamental process is commonly known as the nitrogen cycle
THE NITROGEN CYCLE
STEP 1: Fish/scavengers waste, uneaten fish food, and plant matter are decomposed (eaten) by fungi and bacteria.
STEP 2: The fungi and bacteria release ammonia (which is toxic).
STEP 3: Ammonia is oxidized (eaten) by Nitrosomonas Bacteria.
STEP 4: Nitrosomonas Bacteria release nitrites (also toxic).
STEP 5: Nitrites are oxidized (eaten) by Nitrobacter Bacteria.
STEP 6: Nitrobacter Bacteria release nitrates (non-toxic plant food).
STEP 7: Plants absorb the nitrates as food.
STEP 8: Fish eat the plants, you feed the fish, plant matter dies, and the cycle starts over at step 1.
CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD WATER QUALITY
Healthy plants and fish
Adequate oxygen levels
Low ammonia/nitrite levels
CHARACTERISTICS OF POOR WATER QUALITY
Unhealthy plants and fish
Foul smell
Stagnation
Note: Cloudy water is not necessarily a sign of poor water quality; nor is clear water necessarily a sign of good water quality. The best way to determine the quality of your water is to observe the fish/plants and to TEST it on a regular basis.
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