EcoStarter™ Dry instantly neutralizes chlorine to
prepare tap water. Phosphate and Nitrate free. Professional
quality, returns water to a natural state. Ecologically
responsible.
EcoStarter™ Packet with Bacteria helps you get the
pond started the right way. Two water soluble packages contain a
blend of AquaClearer™ Extreme Dry bacteria and enzymes along with
Eco Starter™ Dry dechlorinator.
Water
Treatment Starter Kit is great for introducing Aquascape’s
core group of water treatment products. Includes AquaClearer™
Extreme Dry 4.6 oz., S.A.B.™ Extreme 8.8 oz., EcoBlast™ 8.8 oz.,
EcoStarter Liquid 8 oz., and EcoTabs™ 12 count.
Understand the
Dangers of Chlorine in Fish Ponds
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Rick
Bartel
Pond owners and service providers have argued the validity of
watching the level of chlorine in ponds and
whether those chlorine levels are harmful to the aquatic life in a
pond. Some report performing partial water changes
without treating the
tap water to remove chlorine. This devastating error can create
untold issues.
Even
when koi and other pond fish
show no apparent ill effects from untreated water, it doesn't mean
the chlorine isn't stressing or harming them. The amount of harmful
damage depends on many factors.
To clear the
air a bit, here are some fundamental scientific facts about
chlorine and pond fish, dragonfly larvae, frogs, tadpoles and other
aquatic life often present in pond systems:
- Concentrated levels of
chlorine kill fish and other aquatic life-forms.
- Chlorine is
an oxidizer, which removes the necessary slime coat from koi and
other pond fish, causing stress and stress-related
illnesses.
- Chlorine
damages the gill structure in koi and other pond fish, causing
serious long-term issues and making it difficult for the fish to
breath.
- As the
pond's pH levels go down, chlorine becomes more toxic.
- The
presence of phenols, a toxic organic chemical found in some types
of organic wastes, can combine with chlorine to become extremely
toxic.
- Chlorine is
relatively unstable in water, escaping to the atmosphere on its
own. Water left sitting with adequate water circulation will be
chlorine-free 24 hours or less.
- Sodium
thiosulfate easily neutralizes chlorine.
- When
exposed to high levels of chlorine, koi and other pond fish show
signs of irritation, such as swimming erratically or attempting to
leave the water.
At lower
levels, chlorine is not necessarily life-threatening to koi and
other pond fish, but it still can harm them. Affected fish might
exhibit fast gill beats and gasp at the water surface to get enough
oxygen into their tissues. These symptoms easily can be mistaken
for low-oxygen problems, gill parasites or another gill disease,
when raw tap water might be to blame.
Here are
example chlorine levels and what they can do to pond
fish:
.006 mg/L will
kill fish fry in about two days.
.003 mg/L will kill insect larvae, such as dragonflies.
.002 mg/L will fatally damage the sensitive skin on tadpoles,
frogs, salamanders and other amphibians.
.01 mg/L is the maximum level that experts say adult fish can
tolerate.
.25 mg/L is the level at which only the hardiest koi or other pond
fish can survive.
.37 mg/L is the level at which all pond fish will die.
If you suspect
chlorine damage to pond fish, increase aeration in the pond for a
few days. This improves their chances of recovery.
The answer and
proper solution to this issue is to use a water treatment chemical.
They typically cost pennies per use and safely remove chlorine and
chloramines. Read the label to ensure you purchase and use the
right product for your needs.
Note:
One problem with water treatment facilities using chlorine to treat
water is that it breaks down relatively quickly. Another concern
with the use of chlorine is that it can combine with certain
organics (that might be present in your water) forming
trihalomethanes, a family of carcinogens.
Consequently,
many water companies have switched from using chlorine to using
chloramine. Chloramine is a compound containing both chlorine and
ammonia. It is much more stable than chlorine, but it poses a
significant headache for pond enthusiasts. Chlorine-neutralizing
chemicals, such as sodium thiosulfate, only neutralize the chlorine
portion of the chloramine, neglecting an even bigger problem:
deadly ammonia. The consequences can be devastating to koi and
other pond fish. A pond's biological filter eventually will convert
the ammonia to nitrate, but the time it takes might be longer than
the fish can tolerate. Also, the initial presence of the chlorine
might have irreparablly damaged to the biological filter, rendering
it useless.
Calculations for Water Volume of Ponds , Streams
& Waterfalls
Pond
Water Volume
(Length x
Width x Average
Depth) x 7.48 = Water Volume of Pond in
gallons
1 cubic
ft. = 7.48 gallons of water
Example: Pond Measures:
11’L
x16’W x 2’AD
(11'L x 16'W x 2'AD) x 7.48 =
2,634
Gallons of water
(The addition of rocks and
gravel will lessen the actual water volume beacuse of
displacement)
Water
Volume in a Stream
(Length x Width x Depth) x 7.78 = Water
Volume of Stream in Gallons
Example: Stream Measures: 15'L x 3'W x 2"D
First
Calculate Depth in feet not inches: 1" = 0.12' so ...
2"D = 0.24'D
(15'L x
3"W x 0.24'D) x 7.48 =
81
Gallons of Water
Water
Volume in Waterfalls = Same as
Streams
Use these formulas to help calculate how much product to
purchase & use. Always read and follow the individual
product's label instructions)
