Pond Water Quality
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Transcript of Pond Water Quality
Pond Water Quality (the basics)
Frank HenningUGA Watershed Extension Agent
To a great extent water To a great extent water quality determines the quality determines the success or failure of a success or failure of a
fish operationfish operation
• EatEat
• BreatheBreathe
• Excrete wastesExcrete wastes
• ReproduceReproduce
• Take in and lose saltsTake in and lose salts
Fish live in waterFish live in water
Water Quality Factors
• Oxygen/CO2
• Alkalinity, Hardness & pH
• Sediment• Nutrients (NH3 and P)
• Temperature
Dissolved OxygenDissolved Oxygen
• ImportanceImportance– highest cause of mortalityhighest cause of mortality
• Safe levelsSafe levels– greater than 5 mg/Lgreater than 5 mg/L
• Dense bloom, bloom die-offDense bloom, bloom die-off
herbicide app. & turnoverherbicide app. & turnover
Daily O2, CO2 Cycles
DO Management
Avoid OverfeedingMaintain Proper DensitiesAvoid Over-fertilizationIntelligent Weed ControlMonitor Inflow Quality
Outlet Design
Signs of Low DO• Fish not eatingFish not eating
• Piping & GaspingPiping & Gasping
• Groups of Fish at InflowGroups of Fish at Inflow
• Poor GrowthPoor Growth
• Frequent Disease/Parasite OutbreaksFrequent Disease/Parasite Outbreaks
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
05 pm 10 pm 5 am
Measured values
Projected values
mg/l
ProjectedDissolved Oxygen Levels
Lethal
Problem Suspected
Monitor DOProvide Aeration & Circulation
TemperatureTemperature• Effects
– metabolic rate doubles
for every 18oF increase
– Influences spawning
– Influences growth
• Water Density– Max @ 39o F
– Turn- over
Fish Categories – coldwater – coolwater - warmwater
pHpH
• Measure of the hydrogenMeasure of the hydrogen ion concentrationion concentration• 1-14 scale1-14 scale
– less than 7 acidicless than 7 acidic–greater than 7 basicgreater than 7 basic
• Safe rangeSafe range–6.5 - 96.5 - 9
HardnessHardness• Hardness if the measure of Hardness if the measure of
divalent cationsdivalent cations– calciumcalcium
– magnesiummagnesium
• Hardness is used as an Hardness is used as an indicator of alkalinity but indicator of alkalinity but hardness is not a measure hardness is not a measure of alkalinityof alkalinity– magnesium or calcium magnesium or calcium
sulfate increases hardness sulfate increases hardness but has no affect on but has no affect on alkalinityalkalinity
• Recommended hardness Recommended hardness levels > 20 ppmlevels > 20 ppm
AlkalinityAlkalinity• Alkalinity is the capacity of water to buffer Alkalinity is the capacity of water to buffer
against wide pH swingsagainst wide pH swings
• Acceptable range 20 - 400 mg/L Acceptable range 20 - 400 mg/L
Liming PondsLiming Ponds•Total Alkalinity > 20 ppmTotal Alkalinity > 20 ppm
•Agricultural LimeAgricultural Lime
~ every 2 – 4 years~ every 2 – 4 years
• Broadcast Over theBroadcast Over the
Entire Pond SurfaceEntire Pond Surface
•Professional LimingProfessional Liming
Barges on Large PondsBarges on Large Ponds
Total Alkalinity Lime/Surface Area
12 mg/l12 mg/l 1-2 ton1-2 ton
12 - 14 mg/l12 - 14 mg/l 1 ton1 ton
15 - 25 mg/l15 - 25 mg/l 1/2 ton1/2 ton
25 mg/l or more25 mg/l or more NoneNone
Guidelines forGuidelines forApplication of Lime in PondsApplication of Lime in Ponds
Proper FertilizationProper Fertilization
Improper Fertilization, # 1 Cause of Most Problems
•5-10 apps per year
•Start in February
•Time apps using secchi disk
•Shade out weeds
Fertilization Fertilization SupplementsSupplements
the Food Chain the Food ChainMore Fish - Not More Fish - Not Bigger FishBigger Fish
Multiplies the Base Multiplies the Base of the Food Chainof the Food Chain
Increases Carrying Increases Carrying Capacity 4XCapacity 4X
Using the Secchi DiskUsing the Secchi Disk•Professional Disk $25
•Measures visibility
•Measure frequently
•Pie pan, 5 gal bucket lid w/ weight.
Granular Fertilizer ApplicationsGranular Fertilizer Applications
•Usually applied usingUsually applied using
a platforma platform
•Upper end of pondUpper end of pond
Liquid Fertilizer ApplicationsLiquid Fertilizer ApplicationsTip # 1 - Dilute the Tip # 1 - Dilute the fertilizer with water.fertilizer with water.
Tip # 2 - Use small bilge Tip # 2 - Use small bilge pump.pump.
Tip # 3 - Pump or pour Tip # 3 - Pump or pour into prop wash.into prop wash.
Tip # 4 - Cover the Tip # 4 - Cover the entire pond.entire pond.
Water Soluble Water Soluble FertilizerFertilizer
New trend New trend
Easy to applyEasy to apply
Fast resultsFast results
Water plants Food
Excessfood
Fishes
PeptidesAmino acids
Urine
Urea
Ammonia(NH )
Algae
Nitrate (NO )
Nitrite (NO )
Feces
2
3
3
The Nitrogen Cycle
Management for N ProblemsManagement for N Problems
• Reduce DensitiesReduce Densities
• Avoid OverfeedingAvoid Overfeeding
• Water ChangesWater Changes
• AerationAeration
• SaltSalt
Clearing Muddy PondsClearing Muddy PondsStep # 1 - Find the CauseStep # 1 - Find the Cause
Undesirable SpeciesUndesirable Species
Poor Watershed ManagementPoor Watershed Management
Undesirable Water SourceUndesirable Water Source
Step # 2 - Evaluate SolutionsStep # 2 - Evaluate Solutions
Total Renovation of PopulationTotal Renovation of Population
Watershed VegetationWatershed Vegetation
Chemical AlternativesChemical Alternatives
Step # 3 - Implement Management PlanStep # 3 - Implement Management Plan
Establish vegetation in the watershedEstablish vegetation in the watershed
Lime pond, 200-500 lb Gypsum, AlumLime pond, 200-500 lb Gypsum, Alum
Phosphorus
•Limiting nutrient•Animal waste•Monitor nutrient input
>0.1 ppm (0.05 ppm)
Test Kits
• Turbidity (Secci) • DO• Ammonia• pH• Temp• Alkalinity• Hardness
Lab Analysis (UGA Extension)
• Alkalinity• Hardness• Phosphorus
1.800.ASK UGA1
More Information
http://srac.tamu.edu/
http://county.ces.uga.edu/habersham/aqua/pondmanagement.html