Pond algae blooms remove oxygen increase carbon dioxide
Because pond algae are plants they both exhale and inhale oxygen in the photosynthesis process. Algae produce carbon dioxide during darkness and produce oxygen during daylight. The production of carbon dioxide can effect pH of the pond water considerably
pH and carbon dioxide... Carbon dioxide dissolves in water to form carbonic acid that has a pH of less than 7 so pH will tend to fall when carbon dioxide is high. This is what happens during the night with a reversal during daylight hours.There is some quite complex chemistry involved here which I will ignore save to point out that when pond water pH levels fall below 7 then the potential for carbon dioxide problems increases. Pond pH should ideally be around 7.5 to 8.
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Aeration of pond water achieves two things both of which are very good for pond water and the fish:
Oxygen levels increase
Carbon dioxide is "blown" out of the water and this tends to push up pH levels.
Aeration also protects against those algae blooms and their dying - when they die they rot and release carbon dioxide by using up the oxygen resource in the water.
In summary it is difficult to over-aerate a pond and aeration has all round advantages in a pond and especially one with algae. The downside is the cost of a special aerating pump. All top koi keepers' ponds bubble with air as do their filters.
Deeper ponds without waterfalls and/or fountains as the means of creating circulation or mixing during calm periods also could be more prone to carbon dioxide problems.
Aeration and water mixing (waterfalls) are the MOST effective methods of controlling potential carbon dioxide problems.
Dissolved oxygen is also critical in solving algae problems the natural way using barley straw as will be discussed later.
Do not get carried away but DO beware of algae blooms (green or brown cloudy water) especially in summer and especially during calm periods and when there is no waterfall, fountain or aeration.
Remember the best way to prevent algae blooms is by UV light.
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