Pond Fountain Info

BACTERIUM & CHEMICALS

14. Why do we want to add bacterium? What is the bacterium anyway?
Almost any pond kit will have a combination of bacterium and enzymes included in it. Since we are trying to control the algae and make the water safe for the fish it is important what bacteria you use. Exact formulas are trade secrets. However, something to look for if you can find it is to compare the count in millions per gram. The powder you see is often cheese whey to support the bacterium. I recommend you shop around when you need to replace the bacteria.

As the bacterium multiply they consume nutrients in the water. If they did not, the nutrients would build up and become toxic to the fish. Although the bacteria grow on every surface in the pond, we colonize the bacterium in a biological filter so we can wash the filter and conveniently remove the nutrients from the water.

Bacteria are dependent upon nutrients, sunlight and temperature. Controlling any or all of these factors will help us limit the algae. As water temperature retreats into the 50s in the fall, bacteria vigor is greatly reduced so it is wasteful to add any until spring.

Some people say adding bacteria is not necessary. To a point, I agree. There is a plethora of bacterium naturally in the air, in the plant dirt and even on the fish. I recommend adding bacteria because we have better control of what bacteria colonizes in the pond. If we were to expose flour and water to the air you will get enough bacteria and yeasts out of the air to eventually get sourdough bread. For the best bread though we would want to introduce a top grade culture just like we do in the pond.

There is a lot more about bacteria and pond chemicals in the maintenance section. br/>

For more informaiton about pond and fountain, please check our website at Pond and Fountain Pros.