pH – pH is the measure of hydrogen ions, or acidity, in the water…Base vs Acidic.
Water has hydrogen ions and hydroxyl ions. When there are equal numbers of both, the water is neutral. As the hydrogen ions increase, the water becomes more acidic; as the hydroxyl ions increase, the water becomes more basic. pH is measured on a logarithmic scale of 0 – 14: 7 is neutral; below 7 is acidic; above 7 is basic. Most aquatic organisms have a narrow pH tolerance range of 6.5 – 8.5. Acidic waters can cause toxic heavy metals to be released into the water. 
Dissolved Oxygen – Most aquatic organisms need oxygen to survive. Dissolved oxygen is the oxygen present in water available to aquatic organisms. It is not the oxygen that is part of the water molecule but rather oxygen gas. Oxygen enters the water from the air through rain, turbulence and wind, and through the photosynthesis of aquatic plants. Organisms absorb the oxygen through structures such as gills or their skin. Waters with higher dissolved oxygen have ecosystems that are generally more diverse and stable. This is where one of our Bubble Tubing ® based Linear aeration systems comes into play. With the highest SOTR and SOTE on the market there is literally no better way to add Dissolved Oxygen to a body of water like a pond. Out of the numerous Aerators and systems Deiceair.ca carries our Bubble Tubing ® based systems are always the go-to system when it comes to pond maintenance.
Decomposition of organic material is a major cause of low dissolved oxygen resulting in fewer species. Dissolved oxygen is measured in parts per million (ppm) or milligrams per liter (mg/L). Chain reactions resulting from a mix of temperature, introduction of nutrients (fish, lawn fertilizer, farming) in a closed environment like a pond can result in exaggerated growth and death cycles of aquatic plants/algae and this decomposing algae or other plant matter can cause further problems with pH or issues with gasses that negatively affect pond life. Adding dissolved oxygen will help stabilize the bacteria that decompose organic matter without destabilizing the pond. This addition of Oxygen to the pond will help to digest Muck and other organic sediments in the pond.
“When a pond is out of balance, increasing the amount of Dissolved Oxygen via one of our Bubble Tubing ® based aeration systems is one of the most effective methods of getting your pond back to the tolerance range for aquatic life.”
Pond treatments and the need for aeration are still best practice, as we move into Autumn. This can be one of the most important times to start tackling issues like pH in a pond. A host of other pond issues from Algae growth to gasses can be treated with Bubble Tubing ® often times treating one issue in a pond helps with others.
Whether in conjunction with a Bacterius Bacterial Treatment of Bacterius Pond, Bacterius C, 1B, or 5B, the use of a Bubble Tubing ® based aeration system is definitely our go-to recommendation for pond owners. The combined partnership of beneficial microorganisms, specifically bacteria and aeration can treat some severe water quality problems fast and effectively. Certain bacteria species are experts in breaking down plant cellulose into carbon dioxide, others aid in the removal of suspended solids by bacteria that secrete specific enzymes, and others still can reduce toxicity of pollutants or biodegrade agricultural wastes. Naturally, some bacteria thrive in aerobic or anaerobic conditions. For some that are experts in decomposition of accumulated organic sediments, aerobic conditions are desirable and for this reason, many municipal projects with the highest success rates in sediment reduction, water clarity, reduction of soluble nutrients and odours, are those that combine aeration with bacteria.
Ponds of almost all shapes and sizes can benefit dramatically from these same aeration and bacterial treatment methods used by many municipal waste water managers even backyard koi ponds, trout ponds, and purely decorative ponds.
Early Fall is the best time for maintenance such as raking out weeds, cleaning up leaf litter, and late fall before the ice sets on a pond, is when an aeration system can still be installed to help breakdown organic matter and help to prevent the trapping of gasses over winter. This is a very important step for those with fish that are trying to prevent Fish Kill a common winter occurrence in ponds without aeration. At the tail end of October we always recommend a treatment of Bacterius Equinox to aid the aeration system over the winter months. As suggested by the name, Equinox is a great spring and fall treatment. This will ensure your pond is ready for the following seasons, whether that be winter or summer.
If you want the best for your pond Deiceair has the best solutions from tools to treatments to aeration.
