Why Do I Need Oxygen In My Koi Pond?
To avoid stagnant spots in your pond and encourage the dissemination of oxygen throughout the water a Pond Air Pump is vital.
Used in conjunction with an airline tube and air stones the pump creates a steady stream of bubbles which agitates the surface of the water This allows oxygen to enter the pond. Well oxygenated water is healthy water and living things in your pond will thrive. we have a wide range of pond air pumps and accessories at Cotswold Koi to ensure that the water in your pond is beautifully healthy.
Just as we need oxygen to live so do Koi and other pond inhabitants require adequate oxygen levels. Even the bacteria in your pond along with fish and insect eggs, larvae and algae need access to this essential element. Oxygen is vital in nutrient cycling and in the breakdown of organic matter. Without it, a pond ecosystem would quickly collapse and could become toxic to both animal and plant life.
In ponds, oxygen is present in its dissolved form. It enters the pond system in many ways, by diffusing through the water’s surface, via wave and wind action, and through photosynthesis. Productive ponds, with high biomass, can quickly deplete dissolved oxygen levels in the absence of a air pump or aerator. This can lead to oxygen stress, a scenario that any responsible pond owner must avoid as it can quickly end in fish dying . Fish ponds should have dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations that are consistently above 6 ppm, but should be up to 8 ppm for koi. This optimal level increases the chances of fish growth and high survival rates.
Every pond owner must learn how to identify early signs of oxygen depletion, which can still be reversible. when it comes to low oxygen, ponds can give us signs using cues that are noticeable by the observant eye.
Signs of Low Oxygen in Ponds
When a pond has enough oxygen, Koi will remain active and should eagerly consume food whenever they are fed. They will venture to various levels of the water column, exploring with ease and curiosity. A fully oxygenated pond should remain clean and clear. It should generally be pleasant to be around and should not display any of the below dangerous signs:
1) Algal blooms
Oxygen is a requirement for carbon and nitrogen cycling processes helped by the action of nutrient cycling bacteria which are responsible for breaking down the fish waste and converting any harmful compounds into their harmless counterparts. Depleted oxygen concentrations result in higher levels of ammonia, nitrite, and free-floating organic compounds. These are used by algae to quickly multiply forming dense colonies. These can then be so thick that they form mats on pond surfaces like the sides walls blocking out light and competing with pond plants, and using up any remaining oxygen molecules there may be
2) Fish gasping for air
An early sign of low dissolved oxygen is fish gathering at the water’s surface with gaping mouths.(gasping) This can easily be mistaken as hunger, but can be a struggle for survival when it happens outside of there normal feeding times. Fish gathering close to the return point of your filter can also indicate low dissolved oxygen. At an advanced stage of oxygen depletion Koi can display odd swimming behaviour or remain immobile perhaps lying on the bottom of the pond with clamped find. This type of stress can cause irreversible damage to their organ systems and deplete there immunity to infections and or parasites.
3) Foul odours
When oxygen is no longer available in a pond the breakdown of organic materials becomes controlled by anaerobic processes or fermentation. This is usually accompanied by a foul odour, similar to those that would be given off by rotting plants and animals. Natural ponds and lake systems can often smell foul due to the high amount of decaying material and not having aerators to replenish depleted oxygen levels, especially in isolated pools.
Causes and Dangers of Low Oxygen
Common causes of inadequate dissolved oxygen levels in fish ponds include overcrowding Having to many fish in your pond overheating, a lack of air pumps or aerators relative to the water volume, not having any oxygenating pond plants, not enough day light (as a requirement for photosynthesis), and the presence of decaying materials. Feeding to much and a poor-quality food, an inefficient pond filter, your filter needs to be man enough for your pond ( better to be over filtered than under) and damaged plants can increase the nutrient load of your pond, placing heavier demands on oxygen through out your pond. Its also worth bearing in mind that the entry of runoff, fertilizer, and natural waste from other sources can also significantly use up oxygen with in your pond.
Experienced pond owners will rarely come across these issues due to proper pond planning and keen observations. It can be very tempting to overstock an ornamental pond with koi and keep it free of submerged and marginal plants to increase visibility. Unless your pond is equipped with the mechanisms to tightly control parameters of intensive fish culture, it can struggle to maintain a healthy environment for your fish. Keep in mind that oxygen production should always be higher than oxygen demand.
Warm water doesn’t carry as much oxygen as cool water fish require more oxygen in higher temperatures as they are more active and are eating more food more often. In cool water fish are less active and their oxygen requirement are minimal.
Ornamental fish are extremely sensitive to drops in oxygen, and may be the first to noticeably become effected. Their immune systems can weaken due to hypoxia, making them susceptible to parasites and diseases. They are also less likely to recover from periods of sub-optimal temperature conditions and high-energy activities (such as spawning and acclimation) when dissolved Oxygen levels are below their recommended range.
How to Increase Oxygen Levels
Below is a brief list of natural and artificial means of increasing oxygen levels within your pond For best results a combination of these can be used. Always try to find the root cause of oxygen depletion and make sure to resolve issues prior to investing in more equipment or accessories.
- Add an aerator or pond pump. If you already have these make sure to maintain them properly. You can experiment by keeping them on for longer periods of time or by adding more to your pond setup. A mature pond may require more aerators than a new one. Always keep a spare pump in case of emergencies.
- Clean your pond filter regularly The more waste it can accumulate, the better. Less waste in the pond reduces the demand for oxygen.
- Perform regular partial water changes.
- Add submerged and marginal plants to your pond.
- Remove any decaying plant material. You can use of a net to gather debris that have settled at the bottom or are floating at the surface. as quickly as possible
- Provide partial shade. Cooler pond water tends to have higher dissolved Oxygen concentrations because oxygen is more soluble at lower temperatures.
- Add a water feature that agitates the surface of your pond. A mini fountain, or waterfall can significantly increase dissolved Oxygen levels and keep the water temperature cooler.
- Emergency dissolved Oxygen source: a low-concentration hydrogen peroxide solution may be a quick and temporary fix to dangerously low dissolved Oxygen levels. This will give you a couple of hours to come up with a more permanent solution.
Pond Oxygen in the Winter
Winter conditions can be problematic for the maintenance of dissolved Oxygen levels in ponds even if cold water has a higher capacity to hold oxygen. If the surface of your pond freezes, you will have to de-ice a section of the pond or create a hole in the ice. An open area is essential as oxygen will need to diffuse into the pond through the water’s surface. dissolved Oxygen levels will still need to be monitored regularly at this time, especially if you have fish in the pond.
If oxygen levels are optimal, fish will likely keep to the warmer, deeper areas of the pond.