Getting closer....

[addy1]

per a good article on pond chemistry I have yet to get a reading of anything but zero on my nitrates

NITRATE

Nitrate, NO3-N, measured in ppm, is the third and last measurement used to determine the "health" of the bio-converter. Nitrate is produced by the autotrophic Nitrobacter bacteria combining Oxygen and Nitrite in the bio-converter and to a lesser degree on the walls of the pond. A zero Nitrate reading, combined with a non-zero Nitrite reading, indicates the Nitrite-Nitrate bacterial converter action is not established. Test kits are available with dual droplet or pill form with color charts. The recommended test kit range 0 - 200 ppm. A Nitrate test kit is considered nice to have but not required for the average pond. In an established pond with part of the routine maintenance including 5% to 10% water change outs every two to four weeks, Nitrate levels will normally stabilize in the 50-100 ppm range. Concentrations from zero to 200 ppm are acceptable.

Where Ammonia and Nitrite were toxic to the fish, Nitrate is essentially harmless. There have been reports that high nitrate levels may weaken the colors in Koi but there have also been reports that high nitrate levels can enhance the colors. Similarly, I have read reports, fortunately not in the same article, that high nitrate levels will both stimulate and suppress spawning activity. If the Nitrate concentration gets too high, the Nitrite-Nitrate converting bacteria (Nitrobacter) may not be able to do their job effectively resulting in a raised Nitrite level. Nitrate is the end result of the nitrification cycle and is very important to plants in their life cycle. This is why the plants in your garden can flourish from being watered with the waste water from your pond (assuming you haven't added too much salt).

Note the large difference in the ranges of the test kits being used to measure Nitrate (200 ppm) as opposed to those for Ammonia and Nitrite (1-4 ppm). Assuming our the bio-converter was converting the equivalent of 1 ppm of Ammonia to the equivalent of 1 ppm of Nitrite to the equivalent of 1 ppm of Nitrate per day, it would take 100 days or over three months, (longer with any water change outs), for the nitrate levels to build up to the 100 ppm level. The Nitrate concentration is controlled naturally through routine water change outs and to a lesser degree through plant/algae consumption.

 

[JenH]

I'm just so amazed by this whole bog thing. As much problems as we had with water clarity last year, it was such a nightmare, I was almost ready to give up. I half expected there to be a huge algae bloom of some sort after getting our rebuild done, being a new pond and needing to cycle, and so far it's still nothing but gorgeous clear water. I just can't believe how awesome this is working, and can't believe all the negative feedback from the pond stores.

It's good to know that your nitrates are always zero also, Addy. I know your plants do really well, so mine are bound to also!

 

[addy1]

They are growing like crazy this year, did great last year even though everything was a new baby, just planted. This year already have had to purge plants from the bog.

 

[JenH]

Do you find it to be very difficult to get plants out of your bog when they are starting to get to big? Do you just a yank out a big chunk, or do you pull the whole plant cut it then replant what you want to keep?

 

[addy1]

The only plant hard to remove / move / decrease in size is the rush. It is a pita, the roots got deeper and very fine. I use a pitchfork to tease it out.

The rest I just grab and yank out. I don't remove and cut the clump. They all come out pretty easy. I use a digging tool, that hand forked digging tool or trowel, to help, mainly cause the pea gravel is hard on the fingers.

 

[crsublette]

Had my water tested today (I took a sample to PetSmart and had them do it) ...

quick question.

did ya have to travel far?

The closest PetSmart is about 80 miles from me and I was wondering if I could still take my water to them to get tested or if the water would have changed by the time I got there.

 

[JenH]

Oh, that I do not know. PS is only about 5 minutes from my house, although I am sure they could tell you if you called first.

 

[CountryEscape]

I drive to the local pet shop, they test my water for free. Check and see if you have any type of pet shop that has aquarium fish to test your water. Most probably do it for free, because they want your business. I drive 30 minutes, and sometimes I don't take the water in until my lunch hour, as they are not open in the a.m. They know this, and have never said anything about the water changing. I never leave the water in my car if it's a really hot or sunny day, though.
Your pond is gorgeous, Jen! Love the design you did for your bog and the way you elevated it to have a really nice waterfall from it as well. Great idea!
Wish I had your good luck with clear water. LOL Both of my ponds are murky, struggling with it. And, I agree, my new pond has a huge bog, and it will eventually get the water clear, at least that's my hope! I'm so glad yours is clear and staying that way. Sure makes the enjoyment that much more fun.

 

[JenH]

Thanks CountryEscape! My water looked really terrible all day today though, seemed to be getting more and more murky as the day went on. When I left for a meeting this evening I stopped at PS to get the water tested again just to see if something changed and it was exactly the same. Then tonight when I got home I went out to take a look with a flashlight and it looks so much better! We had some serious wind today, don't know for sure but I'm betting at least 40-50 mph. It finally died down around 7 or so, and I got home around 10. I'm thinking the wind must have just been blowing so much dirt and stirring the water so much that it couldn't settle and the bog couldn't clean it. Have you had a lot of wind where you are?

 

[addy1]

We have a ton of wind, apple tree flowers falling, and pollen. Water staying great. It takes some time to get going. Do have a skimmer pulling the stuff off the surface of the water.

 

[CountryEscape]

Yes, Jen, it was very windy both Sunday and yesterday. Today and the rest of the week supposed to be calm again! I ordered a new skimmer (I know Addy was asking you, Jen, about a skimmer, though) like the one in my koi pond, and hoping to get it this week and put it in. The little Tetra skimmer is just not doing the trick at ALL! In fact, with the rains, it's underwater, but I have not fixed that, which is easy to do, just put a rock under it for a few days, because it really doesn't matter. It hardly pulls the stuff out of the water anyhow, even when the pump has been cleaned. Oh, the pump is not very good either. Going to get a new larger pump for the skimmer, too, like in my other pond.

 

[JenH]

I ordered a floating in pond skimmer, it should be here today. I'm hoping it works well, it had really good reviews, but is small. All the skimmers that sit outside the pond and attach to your liner were soooo expensive for the size I need for my pump. So here's hoping today that it works when I put it in.

http://www.amazon.com/Koolatron-FPS-500-Koolscapes-Floating-Skimmer/dp/B003P2FQ4U

I also ordered some Microbe-Lift PL too. I read a lot of good things about that stuff and figured I'd give it a try if I started having clarity problems before my bog plants take off. No one sells it around here, so figured I'd just order it now so it's on hand if needed.

 

[CountryEscape]

Jen, I wonder if the Microbe-Lift PL is similar to the Pond Perfect product I have been using. Obviously, what I'm using is not helping, but I wonder if it's because the water is not warm enough for the beneficial bacteria to really get going well, same with the plants. They are "there", but not actively growing yet. As soon as the temps settle in a 70's during the day and now lower than the 50's at night, I think things will start taking off, and my water will clear, but I sure would like to help boost it in the meantime. Let me know if you use that product and what you think of it. But, as it is now, you don't need it, I'm soooo jealous! But, so happy to see others' clear ponds, too.

 

[sissy]

Yep winds gave me pink and white snow made of flowers from the trees .i love to see how pretty it looks .This is the first day the wind has calmed down here .Most pond additives do not seem to work well below water temps of 60 degrees .Some say 40 and 50 degrees but it takes longer .I have to pond thermometers in my pond and they have weighted anchors and one is on each end of the pond .I just use concrete drill bit and drill a hole in a rock to anchor them

 

[JenH]

The Microbe Lift website says it has continued biological activity in water that is less then 55 degrees. Although it doesn't say how much lower it can go and still work. My boys broke my thermometer so I don't even know my temps right now. Maybe my meat thermometer would work just to see :fingersx:
I'll let you know if it works, I may be using it sooner then I thought, there is still a lot of murkiness today (my flashlight deceived me last night) I tried a few different products from local stores last year and none of them worked for me, but I really haven't been able to find a bad review for the Microbe Lift.
And Country, I have to say I'm pretty jealous of your nice big pond too! I would have loved to make mine a lot bigger then it is. I just didn't want to poke the bear so to speak by asking my husband to do anymore digging, or spend anymore money!

Sissy, I think it looks so pretty when the flowering tree petals all fall to the ground and cover it! My pond is the first step of landscaping we have so I am really excited to get all the plants in and watch them start filling out. My first purchase was a Magnolia (big purplish blooms)