Have you heard that artificial garden ponds banks on similar ecosystem precepts of natural ponds?  Undoubtedly, any simulated lagoon done by a human being must grow, since it’s virtually the same as the ecosystem of our planet earth.   One element of this is the recurring pond nitrogen cycle .  Knowing how the cycle works is valuable if you want to maintain your garden pond’s healthy activity. 

 To an untrained or inexperienced eye, a natural pond seems like little more than a natural “tub of water”.   Quite simply, rainwater – from a big downpour – gathered in a small body of water.  This then “magically” turns into an acceptable ecosystem for plant and animal life to live in.   For the beginner, the necessity to understand how the pond sustains itself is nonetheless a pointless fact.   However, when someone wishes to duplicate a man-made pond on their property, the passive witnessing of nature may not be enough.   Preferably, you would have to delve deeper into the cycle process that works on the pond’s ecosystem.   This involves you must understand everything about the continuous pond’s nitrogen cycle. 

 And you may ask what is pond’s nitrogen cycle?   A ponds nitrogen cycle is a series of steps that take place in a pond that helps to keep the pond clean and cycle out organic waste.   Here is plain illustration of what’s it all about. 

 It’s a fact that a fish will definitely discharge waste in the pond.   As the waste breaks down, ammonia is produced.   Ammonia can be toxic if it builds up.    To regulate ammonia levels from getting out of control, a nice bacteria called Nitrosomonas can neutralize it to change it to Nitrite, though can still be noxious like ammonia if it increase, but not to a certain extent.   Once Ammonia transmutes into Nitrite, the unused healthy bacteria called Nitrobacter bursts in to negate it, after which it changes it into Nitrates, a much less injurious organism than Nitrites.    This Nitrate is then utilized by the plant life in the pond as a source of nourishment, which helps to keep the Nitrate level low and can also help with controlling algae.  The nitrogen cycle is actually the best possible way for the pond’s ecosystem to detox itself after a while still preserving its own nutrition in its surroundings. 

 This natural process was developed over many years of evolution and it should work in a naturally balanced pond.   However, man-made ponds sometimes require assistance from pond products to tip the ecosystem odds in favor of pond life survival.   Pond filters can help filter out extra waste and also provide a safe breeding ground for beneficial bacteria to grow and thrive. 

 Also there are bacteria vaccinations in the stores that can be supplemented to assure that nice bacteria is always present to check down waste levels and transform the ammonias and nitrites.   Additionally, pond plants can be purchased and added to a pond to help with the utilization of unnecessary nitrates to prevent its availability to nuisance plants like algae.   These products eventually helps a small fish shoal environment to keep up an adequate and active nitrogen cycle. 

 At some period, you don’t have to do any particular steps just to maintain the pond’s nitrogen cycle.   The reason for this is that pond would eventually be self-sufficient, able to generate its own food, with very minimal fish waste that produces ammonia.   As one proverb said, nature is self reliant. 

Landscape Gardening Design Calgary is a local organization that promotes ecologically friendly ponds

Written by: Custom Stone and Waterscapes ‎3829 Parkhill Place SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2W6 (403) 870-1142