Helpful Information on Pond Nitrogen Cycle

 Have you heard that artificial garden ponds banks on similar ecosystem precepts of natural ponds?  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 recurring Pond Nitrogen Cycle .  Knowing how the cycle works is valuable if you want to maintain your garden pond’s healthy activity. 

 In the eyes of an ordinary person, a natural lagoon is no more than a commonplace “tub of water”.   That is, water – mostly from rain or runoff – collects into a small body of water.   In the long run, the body of water “magically” translates into an ecosystem where plants and animals happily exist.   For the regular individual, knowing how a lagoon regulates itself really means nothing.   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.   We’re talking here of proper understanding of a continuous pond’s nitrogen cycle. 

 And you may ask what is pond’s nitrogen cycle?   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.   What follows is simplified analysis. 

 It’s a fact that a fish will definitely discharge waste in the pond.   When the waste breaks up, ammonia results in.   Ammonia can be toxic if it builds up.    To regulate ammonia levels from getting out of control, a nice bacteria called Nitrosomonas can neutralize it to change it to Nitrite, though can still be noxious like ammonia if it increase, but not to a certain extent.   After the Ammonia is converted to Nitrite, another group of beneficial bacteria called Nitrobacter will come in to break down and convert Nitrites into Nitrates, which are far less toxic than Nitrites.     The plants in the pond then takes advantage of Nitrate as its source of nutrients, helping keep Nitrate level at the minimum while at the same time controlling the seaweeds.  The nitrogen cycle is actually the best possible way for the pond’s ecosystem to detox itself after a while still preserving its own nutrition in its surroundings. 

 This natural process was developed over many years of evolution and it should work in a naturally balanced pond.   Nevertheless, artificial garden ponds still needs aid from other pond sources so it can have some edge in the ecosystem just for 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.   All of these products can assist a small fish pond environment with establishing a proper and efficient Nitrogen Cycle. 

 At some period, you don’t have to do any particular steps just to maintain the pond’s nitrogen cycle.   The reason for this is that pond would eventually be self-sufficient, able to generate its own food, with very minimal fish waste that produces ammonia.   As one adage would say, nature nurtures itself. 

Landscape Gardening 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