Q: Why does my pond/lake stink?
A: Ponds and lakes can smell for many reasons, but Hydrogen Sulfide gas and planktonic algae are the most common.
In many ponds and lakes, anoxic conditions (devoid of oxygen) can develop on the bottom. Anaerobic bacteria will flourish leading to the buildup of Hydrogen Sulfide gas, which has a very characteristic “rotten egg” odor. It can be especially prevalent under windy conditions or when a new aeration system is installed.
Planktonic algae (cyano-bacteria) can secrete compounds that have a very distinct chemical odor. The odor is often a result of large algae blooms. You may also have smelled something similar in tap water, as the compounds tend to make it through typical water purification processes.
Q: What is pond moss?
A: Pond moss isn’t actually moss at all. Pond moss is actually slang for filamentous algae.
These algae will either grow on the bottom, around the edge or will create “rafts” by trapping oxygen bubbles created during photosynthesis and float up to the surface. This group of algae, comprised by many species of Cladophora, Hydrodictyon, Mougeotia, Rhizoclonium, Spirogyra and Zygnema, is bright yellow to green in color and has a stringy texture.
Q: Why is my pond water green?
A: Green water in ponds and lakes is caused by microscopic algae.
Massive blooms of blue-green algae can cause a rapid shift in water color in the upper reaches of the water column. In some situations, these algae can be toxic or cause oxygen crashes resulting in fish kills.
Q: What is pond scum?
A: Pond scum is another slang word used to describe algae floating on the surface or the layer of organic sludge at the bottom.
In either case, pond scum is a symptom of poor water quality and indicative of poor pond or lake health.
Q: What is pond sludge?
A: Pond sludge is the result of the accumulation of organic material, such as leaves, dead algae and waterfowl waste, on the bottom.
The buildup of organics on the pond bottom increase the demand for oxygen, which commonly leads to anoxic conditions (no oxygen) which further increase the rate of accumulation.
Q: Is my waterfall enough aeration for my pond?
A: In almost all situations, a waterfall will not provide enough aeration to improve water quality.
Although they can be helpful, they will not do enough to maintain proper and healthy water quality. The falls may be large and drop deep into your pond, however the force is typically not powerful enough to add oxygen to the water column at varying depths. Also, if your pump intake is located near your waterfall, it will not circulate the whole pond.
Question submitted by Amanda.
Q: How long does aeration (solar aerator) take to clear a pond?
A: Changes take place in your pond immediately after starting up an aeration system, no matter if it is electric or solar. However in typical situations, it takes about 6 weeks to actually SEE improvements.
Question submitted by Anne.
Q:Why can’t my fish live through the winter?
A: Winter fish kills are a result of low oxygen levels, typically caused by a natural phenomenon known as fall and spring turnover a process that takes place during the stratification cycle. Please visit www.fish-kill.com for more information on winter fish kills, summer fish kills and ways to prevent a fish kill.
Q: When I install an aeration system on a lake or pond, can I expect any negative impacts on water quality initially…from stirring up “junk” in the water/on the bottom?
A: When an aeration system is initially installed there will be a period where the aerator will draw up large amounts of poor quality water and some organic debris from the bottom that can have an impact on the water quality.
It will increase the oxygen demand and potentially raise the phosphorus and nitrogen levels for a short period of time. This is a critical time for the lake, but as long as the aeration system is running it will be able to combat these issues and in time the lake will turn around.
Question submitted by Paul.
