Need Help with Bosses Pond

[Seth]

@sissy: - Supposedly this was built to be fish safe. This is partially to why the builders said this was a first, buuuuuuuuut, I did not over see any of the construction or building materials involved. I was invited over the first day it was done while everyone was finishing up and my boss said "what do you think"

 

[sissy]

Other question is is anything able to wash into the pool or do they have pets .Maybe he needs another pond then If he does not want to get rid of any .They are going to have babies also ,so he may have no choice .

 

[addy1]

Good plan Seth, over feeding is one of the things a lot of new ponders do.
Mine get fed about every one-two weeks. When it is spawning season they don't get any food. I want them to eat up the eggs laid.

 

[Meyer Jordan]

@Mmathis: - I used this term loosely. I apologize for all confusion on the term Debris. With as much plant matter, some uneaten food stuffs, clumps of dead algae, I just (rather than typing it all out) stated it was debris. solid floating masses of organic matter floating around in the water. Again I apologize on that term use.

Here is the probable source of the high Ammonia levels.

 

[Seth]

Here is the filter system...I am at work so I will answer any questions you have about it as I can... Also, after seeing the filter and all the info, let me know the final take on what I and my boss should do to fix this thing.

Thank you all!

 

[Meyer Jordan]

Here is the filter system...I am at work so I will answer any questions you have about it as I can... Also, after seeing the filter and all the info, let me know the final take on what I and my boss should do to fix this thing.

Thank you all!

Quite an extensive filtration system with all of the 'bells and whistles', but even a system of this quality can not work miracles. Some hands-on maintenance is always required with any pond.
In the case of this particular pond, organic debris control appears to be at the top of the 'to-do' list.

 

[Seth]

what would be the best way to control all this floating dead algae and the such? we will stop feeding fish for a little while and focus on getting this water back to its at least enjoyable former glory

 

[Meyer Jordan]

What is the size of the Skimmer? One has not been mentioned but with all of the other accoutrements I have to believe that there is one.
Also is the bottom drain activated?
Can you find out what size pump your boss has (in gph)?.

 

[Seth]

goood questions...

it has two, two stage skimmers on both ends of the pond. It has a catch basket and then a filter media in the back side of each skimmer. The black cap that you see at the end where the plants are is the entrance to see into the skimmer to see if anything is caught up. I do not know their gallon size maybe 10 gallon skimmer, but I could be way off!

I am not sure about the bottom drain. I guess it would have to be, but I will ask boss when I get the chance.

and I will find out asap about the GPH of the pump

 

[Seth]

The pump is a 1HP artesian. It does 9840 GPH and the bottom drain is active as far as I understand

 

[Troutredds]

I see at least two large external pumps. Also, a large bead filter and some type of seive unit. Those last two components need regular maintenance - i.e. backwashing/cleaning/purging of accumulated waste. I'd begin an extensive maintenance program, repeated at least weekly. All those components, particularly the mechanical filtering units, require regular methodical clearing of accumulated waste. Otherwise, it just becomes a expensive poop trap.

 

[MitchM]

Offhand, I would stop feeding completely and perform daily flushes of the filter system until you can see the fish again.
Maximize water movement and aeration.
Also, try to determine if the UV light is functional and that the glass sleeve the UV bulb is contained in is clean.
It looks to me like the pond organic load has overloaded the filtration system.
I find it surprising that with all that floating algae you have such a severe ammonia problem.
Maybe confirm with another ammonia test.
Don't remove those water hyacinth. They are working at sucking up excess nutrients.
Try and prevent the plants from getting sucked into the skimmer. Something like a couple floating styrofoam pool noodles could help with that.
Post a nitrate numerical value when you have a chance.

 

[Seth]

lol I agree, I use to do it weekly..so I am just gonna have to get my foot in the door over there more often.

 

[sissy]

Can I ask a question about how fast the water is going into the uv .The slower it moves threw it the better and when was the bulb changed last.I have run into quite a few pond owners here that put a pump on the uv and some pumps are over 600 gph which is way to fast for the uv to be able to work .I am sure the uv would have a ball valve on it to slow down the water flow

 

[Seth]

good questions, I am unsure about the UV light situation. It has a view glass to ensure the light is on, but I bet that water is booking it through there, I would have to research it for you.