Emergency treatment for water ponds and what affects pH
Immediately after or even whilst analysing the water it may be necessary to do something about the situation pretty quick.
1. Run a hosepipe into the pond from height and let it gently overflow.
2. The action of the above may help to oxygenate the pond, but it may help to supplement this by turning on a fountain or waterfall. An air pump or venturi system would be even better.
Oxygenating water actually has the effect of chasing out the carbon dioxide dissolved in water. This will be present in the form of carbonic acid, therefore oxygenation will have the effect of raising the pH of the water.
3. A tonic dosage of salt (300grms per 100ltrs) will reduce the effects of ammonia and help the fish restore their mucous membrane.
pH.
The pH of water is a measurement of the concentration of ions in a solution (Hydrogen ions). This determines whether the water is acid, neutral or alkaline. This is measured on a scale of 1 (very acid) to 14 (very alkaline). 7 is neutral. The scale is logarithmic and so the increase of pH 1 is effectively an increase to the power of 10. We therefore find that the increase in pH between 8 and 9 is vastly different in proportion to that between 7 and 8.
What affects pH?
1.Respiration of fish. Fish taking in oxygen release carbon dioxide (CO2). This dissolves in water to produce carbonic acid.
EFFECT - More acid
CURE - Increase the oxygen level - aerator, fountain, freshwater.
2.Respiration of plants. All plants use Carbon dioxide (CO2) during photosynthesis (manufacturing food for themselves with the use of sunlight). Nitrates are also used up in the growth process.
EFFECT - Raises pH. More alkaline
3.Biological filtration:(a) Where a condition exists where aerobic bacteria are breaking down toxic substances into less harmful ones, ammonia (NH3) is broken down to nitrites (NO2-1) and then down to nitrates (NO3-1). This is described as 'nitrification'.
EFFECT - More acid. The nitrate ions and the hydrogen released form nitric acid.
(b) Denitrification. There may be a stage in the filter system in which anaerobic activity might occur, where nitrates might be broken down into 'nitrogen' and oxygen.
This activity is generally only found in the more sophisticated filter systems, denitrification being something performed by the pond plants or bacteria in the muddy depths of the pond or the biological filter.
EFFECT - Raises pH.
4. Fresh tap water. Fresh tap water contains innumerable dissolved substances depending to an extent over which rocks it flowed in nature and what seeped into it from land as it passed through the countryside. The main bulk of the compounds that might be found in tap water contribute to its 'hardness'. These are mainly magnesium and calcium salts and have a direct effect on the alkalinity of the water i.e. the pH.
EFFECT - Raises pH.
CURE - condition the water with a proprietary pool conditioner.
5. Untreated Cement products like edging stones, cement pointing, fresh concrete ornaments leech Calcium carbonate into the water. Alternative paint with a water based epoxy sealant.
EFFECT - Raises pH.
CURE - Treat exposed cement with Silglaze. 'Weather' limestone as rapidly as possible (see Getting Started)