Ammonia, Nitrite and pH
Ammonia
The first stage of the Nitrogen Cycle is Ammonia. The main source of Ammonia is produced CONTINUOUSLY from the gills of fish, it is a waste product from breaking down of protein used to produce energy. A small amount of Ammonia is produced from decomposing organic waste e.g.:
Nitrite (NO2)
Nitrite is the second stage of the Nitrogen cycle. It is produced by the oxidation of Ammonia with the aid of Oxygen and Nitrosomonas bacteria. The bacteria is found on all surfaces of the pond. The toxicity of Nitrite is also affected by pH, the lower the pH the more toxic it becomes.
In a mature pond the only acceptable level of Nitrite is 0 (Zero)
The first stage of the Nitrogen Cycle is Ammonia. The main source of Ammonia is produced CONTINUOUSLY from the gills of fish, it is a waste product from breaking down of protein used to produce energy. A small amount of Ammonia is produced from decomposing organic waste e.g.:
- Koi waste
- Uneaten food
- Vegetable matter (including Blanket weed)
Nitrite (NO2)
Nitrite is the second stage of the Nitrogen cycle. It is produced by the oxidation of Ammonia with the aid of Oxygen and Nitrosomonas bacteria. The bacteria is found on all surfaces of the pond. The toxicity of Nitrite is also affected by pH, the lower the pH the more toxic it becomes.
In a mature pond the only acceptable level of Nitrite is 0 (Zero)
pH
pH is a measurement used to indicate whether a mass of water is ACID or ALKALINE, the range is from 1 ACID to 14 ALKALINE (CAUSTIC) with the neutral point being 7. For each movement there is a ten fold change in the concentration level because the scale is logarithmic.
pH is a measurement used to indicate whether a mass of water is ACID or ALKALINE, the range is from 1 ACID to 14 ALKALINE (CAUSTIC) with the neutral point being 7. For each movement there is a ten fold change in the concentration level because the scale is logarithmic.
THE IDEAL pH RANGE FOR KOI IS 7.5 TO 8.3
The effect of pH on koi could be
pH of 4 = DEATH
pH of 5 to 6 = SLOW GROWTH AND NO REPRODUCTION
pH of 7.5 to 8.3 = IDEAL CONDITIONS
pH of 9 to 10 = SLOW GROWTH AND NO REPRODUCTION
pH of 11 = DEATH
The effect of pH on koi could be
pH of 4 = DEATH
pH of 5 to 6 = SLOW GROWTH AND NO REPRODUCTION
pH of 7.5 to 8.3 = IDEAL CONDITIONS
pH of 9 to 10 = SLOW GROWTH AND NO REPRODUCTION
pH of 11 = DEATH