backyard pond fish die off

[MitchM]

There will be varying degrees of damage to the fish's gills, some fish will be healthier than others and as the fish die, they give off more ammonia, so the ammonia level will be constantly changing.

 

[puckerup]

There will be varying degrees of damage to the fish's gills, some fish will be healthier than others and as the fish die, they give off more ammonia, so the ammonia level will be constantly changing.

Are nitrates the same as ammonia. The test kit did not include an ammonia reading.

 

[puckerup]

Are nitrates the same as ammonia. The test kit did not include an ammonia reading.

What do you think of the greenish color around the gills?

 

[Tula]

Others are far more educated on the nitrogen cycle than me, but I'll give it a go Ammonia is produced in your pond by fish waste and organic debris ( leaves etc ), then there is another bacteria that converts the ammonia to nitrite, which is still toxic to fish. Then, along come another bacteria that converts the nitrite to nitrate, which is ok for fish at low levels. Plants and algae will consume the nutrients in nitrogen, making the pond fish safe.

I think the cycle takes awhile, a few weeks. This is what others are referring to when they mention cycling ...it's the nitrogen cycle that takes place in your pond water and filter. Ammonia and nitrite are toxic to the fish. Hopefully, I've explained this properly

 

[MitchM]

Are nitrates the same as ammonia. The test kit did not include an ammonia reading.

No. You need a separate test kit.
Basically what happens is that your fish give off ammonia as a waste product.
One species of bacteria changes the ammonia into nitrite.
Another species of bacteria changes the nitrite into nitrate.
Nitrate is consumed by plants in the pond.

Excess ammonia will damage the gills of fish.
The gills will look red and inflamed.

 

[MitchM]

I guess we were typing at the same time, Tula.

 

[puckerup]

Others are far more educated on the nitrogen cycle than me, but I'll give it a go Ammonia is produced in your pond by fish waste and organic debris ( leaves etc ), then there is another bacteria that converts the ammonia to nitrite, which is still toxic to fish. Then, along come another bacteria that converts the nitrite to nitrate, which is ok for fish at low levels. Plants and algae will consume the nutrients in nitrogen, making the pond fish safe.

I think the cycle takes awhile, a few weeks. This is what others are referring to when they mention cycling ...it's the nitrogen cycle that takes place in your pond water and filter. Ammonia and nitrite are toxic to the fish. Hopefully, I've explained this properly

Thank you, Tula. There doesn't seem to be anything I can do to help the cycling process along...
Husband is now abashedly admitting he gave the pond "an extra good" cleaning this season. Germs and bacteria are his sworn enemies and he fights them on all fronts! Am going to have to bring him along to the idea that, in this case, scrubbing is NOT the way to go.

 

[Tula]

It sounds like your husband had good intentions....I wish my husband viewed germs and bacteria as his sworn enemies ! LOL

 

[puckerup]

No. You need a separate test kit.
Basically what happens is that your fish give off ammonia as a waste product.
One species of bacteria changes the ammonia into nitrite.
Another species of bacteria changes the nitrite into nitrate.
Nitrate is consumed by plants in the pond.

Excess ammonia will damage the gills of fish.
The gills will look red and inflamed.

OK, am going to Petco tomorrow to find an ammonia test kit. Thank you