Understanding the Nitrogen Cycle of a Pond
Have you read that garden ponds designed by man mimics the corresponding natural ecosystem of our planet? Undoubtedly, any simulated lagoon done by a human being must grow, since it's virtually the same as the ecosystem of our planet earth. One element of this is the pond nitrogen cycle. Recognizing the value of the nitrogen cycle is priceless, since this is the activity that sustains a pond's vitality.
In the eyes of an ordinary person, a natural lagoon is no more than a commonplace "tub of water". Quite simply, rainwater - from a big downpour - gathered in a small body of water. This then “magically” turns into an acceptable ecosystem for plant and animal life to live in. To an average person, the need to know how a pond regulates itself is relatively useless information. However, when someone wishes to duplicate a man-made pond on their property, the passive witnessing of nature may not be enough. All the while, you would have to study deeper the cycle process which moves in a pond's ecosystem. This involves you must understand everything about the pond's nitrogen cycle.
And what is a pond's nitrogen cycle all about? A ponds nitrogen cycle is a series of steps that take place in a pond that helps to keep the pond clean and cycle out organic waste. Here is a simple break down of it.
It's a fact that a fish will definitely discharge waste in the pond. As the waste breaks down, ammonia is produced. Ammonia eventually becomes poison when it builds. To keep ammonia levels from getting to dangerous levels, beneficial bacteria called Nitrosomonas will break down ammonia and convert it into Nitrite, which is still toxic if it builds up, but less so than Ammonia. After Ammonia transforms to Nitrite, a new group of helpful bacteria called Nitrobacter enters to defeat it and then change it into Nitrates, which is not as harmful as the Nitrite. This Nitrate is then utilized by the plant life in the pond as a source of nourishment, which helps to keep the Nitrate level low and can also help with controlling algae. The nitrogen cycle basically is a fine process where the pond's ecosystem detoxifies itself while in the long run still sustaining its habitat with food.
This natural process was developed over many years of evolution and it should work in a naturally balanced pond. Still, the artificial ponds requires help from other pond resources to tip the scale of the ecosystem in favor of the survival of pond life. Pond filters can help purify extra waste while at the same time providing as a safe home for good bacteria to burst forth and grow.
There are also good bacteria supplements in the market today which you can add regularly to help dissolve wastes and also to convert ammonias and nitrite. In addition, pond plants can be bought and added to your pond to utilize the expendable nitrates in its availability for unwanted plants like algae. These resources can aid a small fish lagoon environment to sustain a right and effective nitrogen cycle.
At some period, you don't have to do any particular steps just to maintain the pond's nitrogen cycle. This is because the pond will become self-sufficient and would be able to produce and feed adequate amounts of bacteria, that fish waste ammonia is no longer a threat. As one adage would say, nature nurtures itself.
Landscape Design Calgary is a local organization that promotes ecologically friendly ponds
Written by: Custom Stone and Waterscapes 3829 Parkhill Place SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2W6 (403) 870-1142