Main Differences Between Freshwater and Saltwater Fish Tanks

By Clifford Woods

Fish tanks can be quite a fantastic addition to your office or home. They give a distinctive ornamental touch while providing pleasure in viewing the work of art you have created. Furthermore, aquariums can provide a calm and soothing feel to any area. After you have made the decision to invest in having a fish tank in your house, the next thing you need to determine is exactly what kind of aquarium you will have.

There are primarily two types of aquariums for you to select from: freshwater or saltwater. Each type of tank has its own special advantages, specifications, and problems. It is very important to check them out full before you finally make your decision and buy one.

The Differences
Fish Species Among the most unique distinctions between freshwater and saltwater tanks is the varieties of fish. Freshwater fish are usually present in streams, ponds, rivers and lakes while saltwater fish are located in seas and oceans. Generally, freshwater fish are aquarium-raised while saltwater fish are from the wild.

Saltwater fish tend to be more attractive in color and are for sale in a greater variety than freshwater fish, yet can be more delicate to alterations in water temperature and chemical balance. Be sure you do extra research or consult with your local fish store in order to find out which fish will do well together.

Equipment When choosing your aquarium, take into account the location in your home that you wish to put the fish tank. Nearly every size tank will work well as a freshwater or saltwater aquarium; having said that a bigger fish tank is going to be simpler to keep chemically well balanced and will present numerous choices when choosing fish and add-ons. Most aquarium devices are made to work in both freshwater and saltwater aquariums.

Lighting is important in any type of fish tank to sustain the healthiness of the fish. Lighting specifications vary according to the kind of tank along with the fish and plants that live in it. Maintaining a consistent temperature and having an acceptable filtration system is necessary in any aquarium ecosystem.

Lastly, you should have a water testing kit. This will assist you in keeping track of the levels of your water and make changes as required to keep up an adequately well-balanced atmosphere.

Upkeep General maintenance does not vary a great deal between a freshwater and saltwater aquarium. With either choice, you will have to make sure that all devices are running correctly and replacing filter systems and cartridges as required. The container may also have to be cleaned out regularly.

Cleaning the fish tank will generally require you to replace between ten and twenty percent of the water quantity every other week. The water taken out throughout the course of vacuum-cleaning the gravel is generally enough.

Remember that the new water added will have to be treated based on the type of fish tank you are maintaining before being put into the aquarium. Washing the tank walls and examining the water for correct chemistry levels are also important parts of fish tank upkeep.

It would be a good idea to have an algae scraper on hand or perhaps an all-natural solution with beneficial microorganisms to get rid of the algae without harming the fish.

Making Your Choice Deciding between a freshwater or saltwater fish tank can be quite the complicated thing, even so it is not a choice that you need to make in a rush. Sustaining a fish tank is a commitment and you must be ready for the upkeep and expense of offering the best setting for your fish.

With the proper attention, aquariums can be quite a wonderful inclusion to your house that you can take pleasure in for a long time. 
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Clifford Woods is the CEO of Effective Environmental Services and Organic Environmental Technology.
We brew Beneficial Microorganisms and offer Natural Organic Solutions

Easy Methods to Eliminate Cloudiness in Aquariums and Fish Ponds

By Clifford Woods

If you are among the many individuals looking for tips on how to clean up a cloudy fish pond or aquarium and have carried out just about everything the professionals say to do, yet you've still got cloudy water, then the advice below should be of help.

There are various factors as to why a pond will end up green or cloudy. Weather conditions tend to be the leading culprit. Various temperature ranges, rainwater, and an excessive amount of sunlight will play a role in a cloudy pond.



Furthermore, insufficient purification and over-feeding will result in difficulties, along with inadequate chemical compounds. Listed here are a few of the real solutions when it comes to preserving a fish pond or aquarium.

Filtration Systems: Are They All the Same?

• Submersible filtration systems are challenging to upkeep since you need to climb into the waters in order to execute proper servicing of them plus they usually elevate the temperature of the water.
• Sand filters are generally difficult to thoroughly clean and don't capture all of the particles within the sand, enabling a few to re-enter the pond or aquarium. Furthermore the sand filter needs to be functioning twenty-four hours each day for ideal purification and should be back washed on a regular basis.
• The bio-filter is nearly the same as the sand filtration system only that it can be even tougher to completely clean.
• Cartridge filters are likely to be the most effective filters to make use of. They filter out basically all of the wastes, are incredibly simple to wash, and keep working for an extended period of time. You may use cartridge filters in fish aquariums as well.

Which Chemical Solution Should I Purchase?
Algaecide is highly suggested to get rid of algae and clearing up any cloudy or green pond. On the other hand, algaecide is toxic not just to your fish, but to the surrounding environment as well. Algaecide consists of copper sulfate which can build up in the internal organs of fish and other creatures.

A few cities have prohibited copper sulfate since it seriously will contaminate bays and lake and can be considered unsuitable for aquatic environments. There is, however, an organic algaecide that exists filled with beneficial microorganisms which will benefit the overall wellness of the pond. A probiotic solution is one of the best choices you can make.

Oxygen Generating Plants May Be a Good Idea
Any underwater plant species that thrives beneath the surface of the pond, or even if part of a plant is submerged underneath the pond water, is considered to be an oxygen generating plant. These underwater plants typically have thin roots designed only for anchorage to prevent movement from any currents or wind. The nutrition and gaseous transaction occur on the exterior of the plant directly to each individual cell. With these plants in the water, you can be sure that any cloudiness will start to vanish due to an increase of oxygen in the water.

Install a UV Clarifier
One of the most effective methods for managing pond cloudiness and algae is to install a UV clarifier. The potency of the UV illumination, which is produced at a particular wavelength, is a miracle for pond keepers. UV light is a natural occurrence and is the main trigger of sun burnt skin when we are in the sun for an extended period of time.

The ultra violet light rays eradicates the cloudiness by getting rid of the cell walls of the algae, bringing about the system known as flocculation, which is essentially the process in which bacteria heaps together into large clumps. This bulky piece of bacteria is now far too big to simply go through any filtration systems without notice, so the next time it runs through a filter it will be removed for good. 
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Clifford Woods is the CEO of Effective Environmental Services and Organic Environmental Technology
We brew Beneficial Microorganisms that eat toxins and offer Environmentally Friendly Products

Control and Eliminate Algae with UV Sterilizer

By Clifford Woods

If you have been putting up with algae, then it is likely that you do not own a UV sterilizer for your pond. Without a doubt, UV light is crucial for all ponds where metabolic action occurs. Pond algae are brought on by microscopic algae cells that feed on aerobic bacteria in the water. They are especially common during the summer seasons while there is a great deal of sunshine. A little quantity of green pond algae is helpful to marine pond life like Koi and other fish as they use it as a food supply as well as camouflage from predatory birds.

Algae additionally act as cover from the sun on hot summer time days. The fact is that pond algae multiplies at an extraordinary pace and if left without treatment it will ultimately wreck the look of your pond and can begin to hinder the pond pH balance as well as the amounts of oxygen within the pond. The simplest way to manage pond algae is by using a UV sterilizer, also referred to as a UV clarifier, UV illumination or simply just a UV. 


A number of people would rather use pond algaecide products which are only safe if it is completely organic and contains beneficial microorganisms.

The Struggle with Temperature
The strength of blue ultraviolet light which is created at a specific wavelength is a wonder for pond owners. UV light comes about by natural means in nature and is a primary reason we get sunburned when we are out in the sun. The performance of a UV sterilizer is affected by temperatures to a large extent. If the unit is positioned under the pond's surface then it will work at no matter what the water temperature happens to be.

The way in which companies bypass the drop in effectiveness is to use a quartz sleeve, which will protect the lamp from cold water temperature ranges, guaranteeing optimum effectiveness is taken care of. Ultraviolet light transfers effortlessly through quartz, but not glass. This is why quartz sleeves are utilized rather than glass in the production of UV sterilizers. 

Be mindful that not every producer makes use of a quartz sleeve; a few use plastic covers. Glance at the production standards and if it does not have a quartz sleeve, investigate another product.

The UV Sterilizer System
Pond water is streamed by way of a quartz tube, blocking chilly pond water from coming directly into contact with the ultraviolet source of light. Keep in mind that UV performance is affected by temperatures and functions suitably at one hundred degrees Fahrenheit. As the water moves through the sleeve, it is hit by UV rays, either directly or reflectively.

The ultra violet illumination eliminates the algae by wiping out the cell walls, leading to what is known as flocculation to occur. This mass that is too large to pass through the mechanized purification systems employed by your pond filter and is caught and taken from the pond water.

Organic filtration systems are made up of pond plants which are intentionally deprived of nutrition. The marine plants obtain their food supply from the nitrates within the pond water. They contend with algae for the nourishment and for that reason help in keeping the pond algae in check. They don't ensure algae-free garden ponds though.

The only real assured strategy for managing green pond algae is by using a UV sterilizer or a probiotic algaecide solution plentiful of beneficial microorganisms. Such an option will completely eradicate the algae from your garden pond as well as boost the overall health of the vegetation and fish within your pond.
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Clifford Woods is the CEO of Effective Environmental Services and Organic Environmental Technology
We brew Beneficial Microorganisms that eat toxins and offer Environmentally Friendly Products

All about Pond Magician and How to Use it Effectively

All about Pond Magician and How to Use it Effectively

By Clifford Woods

Pond Magician is made up of an incredible number of beneficial microorganisms that maneuver through your pond and consume the microbes and contaminants which make your pond unpleasant as well as foul-smelling.

Unlike similar pond cleaners which exclusively deal with natural materials, Pond Magician is made up of both aerobic and anaerobic beneficial microorganisms, therefore making it easily adaptable to a large selection of pond water situations.

What are Beneficial Microorganisms?
Beneficial microorganisms are composed of an incredible number of friendly microorganisms. Generally, they simply eat up the algae and unwanted organisms. These microbes are advantageous to the water, plants, and fish life that thrive within your pond and they can be extremely eager for the impurities and organisms which make your pond unclean.

A few of the beneficial microorganisms can flourish even within environments where there is little if any breathable oxygen available. For this reason, beneficial microorganisms are quite effective regardless of the situation. Apart from being less expensive when compared with other deodorizing remedies, the application process is quite easy.

How to Use Pond Magician and Determine the Quantity Needed
Pond Magician is incredibly user-friendly. Simply pour it into your pond directly from the container. Put just a little at a handful of locations around the border of the pond or even dump it into the flow or waterfall for those who have one. The concept is to get the solution equally distributed within the pond. You may also apply it on top of the pond's surface area with a backyard sprayer. This can help in the case that you have a large amount of surface algae.

Before you apply it, first you have to determine the amount of gallons in your pond by employing this basic formula:

1. Multiply the average length in feet of the pond by the average width in feet.
2. Then multiply that answer by the average depth in feet.
3. Then multiply that answer by 7.48.
4. This answer is the approximate number of gallons in your pond.

After that, making use of the guidelines below will determine the quantity of Pond Magician you will need for two applications. 0-1,000 Gallons = 1 Quart 1000-5000 Gallons = 1 Gallon 5,000 - 12,500 Gallons = 2.5 Gallons 12,500 Gallons or More = Please give us a call for precise instructions at (818) 897-4444

The Benefits of Pond Magician
As these beneficial microorganisms carry out their job, your pond will receive the subsequent advantages:

• The pond is going to have an extremely enjoyable, refreshing aroma.
• The pond water is going to be as healthy and crystal clear as water coming down a flowing mountain stream.
• The plants and fish will be extremely pleased and live longer.

Over dosage Precautions
Essentially, there is absolutely no chance of overdose due to the fact Pond Magician is made up of beneficial microorganisms. On the other hand, using more than needed will become significantly less cost-effective to the customer. In contrast to chemical products, where there exists a devastating consequence when overdosing occurs, organic bio-solutions only will stop functioning whenever there isn't enough excessive nourishment within the pond.

The main issue linked to overdosing beneficial microorganisms, besides cost, is the fact that when there is a great deal of natural and organic accumulation when you overdose, it is possible to induce an excessive amount of activity and need for oxygen. Basically, an over dosage of microorganisms would use up the oxygen in the water that sustains the fish.
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Clifford Woods is the CEO of Effective Environmental Services and Organic Environmental Technology
We brew Beneficial Microorganisms that eat toxins and offer Natural Organic Solutions.

Algae: The Leading Cause of Fish Deaths in Ponds

By Clifford Woods

Fish pond algae are really a general name which represents all of the various types of algae, normally present in ponds. A few varieties of algae can actually be beneficial to the overall health of the pond while others types can be viewed as a real annoyance.

You will need to prevent as many algae blooms as you can in order to keep your fish and visual appealing pond vegetation alive. 

The most prevalent type is the floating green algae, like chlorella, euglena, and chlamydomonas varieties. They grow and reproduce quickly through cell division or spores.

Filamentous algae, also known as string algae, appear to be lengthy green noodles and have a hair-like visual aspect to them. The looks are a result of a combination of cells joined up end to end. Horse hair algae and blanket weed types like spirogyra, oedogonium, and cladophora are quite prevalent.

The Factors That Lead to Pond Algae Growth: The main three variables that enables pond algae to produce consists of: hot temperatures, vitamin abundant pond water, and crystal clear pond water that permits sunshine to pass through. A rise in temperatures speeds up both blanket weed and suspended green algae advancement.

How Various Algae Varieties Affect the Overall Health of the Fish Pond: Floating plank-tonic algae distribute at a speedy pace and can only be managed by ultraviolet illumination from a UV sterilizer. The UV spectrum splits the cell surfaces, resulting in the algae to collect together which in turn allows filters to easily remove the algae from the pond. A substantial amount of floating green algae can produce what is known as algae blooms. They could be devastating to pond fish as the blooms will at some point deprive the pond of oxygen thus killing off all underwater plants and fish life.

Why Too Much Algae is Harmful for Garden Ponds: Algae does not just make the pond seem unpleasant and overgrown, but in more severe situations, can actually cause the pond to smell foul. The rotting process of algae eats up oxygen from the pond water. This is especially harmful to the oxidizing bacteria and pond fish population, which both need oxygen to thrive.

Keep in mind that ammonia must be changed into nitrites by the oxidizing microorganisms. The oxidation procedure calls for vast volumes of oxygen to be able to take place. The rise in ammonia, which is additionally created by decaying algae matter, puts even more stress on the pond filtration system that houses the nitrifying bacteria.

How to Control Algae in Your Fish Pond: By far the most effective way of handling suspended plank-tonic algae is to make use of a UV clarifier or UV sterilizer. The ultraviolet spectrum eliminates the single-celled algae, resulting in it expiring and sticking to other deceased algal cells. Make an effort to cover a minimum of one third the surface area of the fish pond with plants, since they contend with algae cells for the accessible vitamins in the pond water.

Conduct regular cleaning by getting rid of string algae and blanket weed by using a garden rake. Not all algae are bad for a fish pond however. In fact, algae can be quite helpful to the pond because it supplies a way to obtain food for fish, presents shade from the sizzling sun, and offers as a shelter from king fishers, heron, along with various other birds.

It really is alright to have a bit of algae on pond surfaces, filtration systems, as well as other pond maintenance gear. The key is to keep it in check with a probiotics solution such as an organic algaecide created with beneficial microorganisms. 
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Clifford Woods is the CEO of Effective Environmental Services and Organic Environmental Technology We brew Beneficial Microorganisms that eat toxins and offer Natural Organic Solutions

5 Key Factors for Green Pond Water

5 Key Factors for Green Pond Water

By Clifford Woods

Algae overgrowth can have disastrous consequences on the well-being of our ponds. Below are five factors that contribute the algae development and how it can be stopped.





#1: Excessive Fish
If this sounds like your situation, then immediately limit the volume of fish or add to the size of your organic filtration system. Keep in mind that fish grow in size and in quantity, therefore the scale your organic purification system which you believed might be the right size in the beginning, may not be the proper size for your pond now.

#2: Seasonal Changes
It is the start of the spring time or the later part of the fall when the pond encounters its largest change in the temperature of the water and biological bacteria development. If this is the situation, try to be calm and give your pond a few additional weeks. 

Every single pond takes around four to six weeks in the beginning of the season to discover its new environmental equilibrium. When this occurs, the pond water will likely be green in appearance. In fact, you can count on it. At any time you increase the water level of your pond during the year, your pond is likely to turn green as well. 

Simply add the most appropriate beneficial microorganism’s solution to provide your pond with good aeration and stay patient. Bear in mind, it will require several weeks, not just a couple of days. Never persistently drain and refill your pond because you will be consistently altering its ecological stability that it's striving to achieve – so give it a hand, be patient.

#3: Accumulation of Organic Matter
For those ponds that have more organic substances, like dead leaves, fish wastes, muck, sludge, and so forth, in them than the amount of beneficial microorganisms in your filtration system where beneficial microorganisms reside and flourish, you may either have to add to the size of your organic filter or increase the total quantity of beneficial microorganisms in your pond.
You can do this by one of two ways; basically increase the size of your filter of add more beneficial microorganism to your pond. You need to be incorporating beneficial microorganisms on a regular basis into your pond in any case.

#4: Too Much Water
Remain calm with your pond as it sets up its new environmental equilibrium. This often completes in about four to six weeks following the previous time you have added extra water. Whenever you add more water, you cause a difference in the pond which causes new algae to prosper and green water to occur. Simply have patience and increase the amount of beneficial microorganisms you add to your pond.

#5: Other Factors That Could Be Causing Algae and Killing the Beneficial Microorganisms in Your Pond
If you are introducing fresh water into your pond on a regular basis; quit doing so now. Allow the pond to find its new environmental stability. In the case that you are including beneficial microorganisms to it, but not disabling your UV clarifier or UV sterilizer, then make sure to turn it off no less than three to four days just prior to when you added the bacteria to ensure that the microorganisms have had an opportunity to attach themselves to the surface area within your pond or organic filter.

A few chemical compounds put into the pond can also be the reason for precisely what is wiping out your beneficial microorganisms. If that's the case, invest in an organic algaecide that contains beneficial microorganisms. You'll be killing two birds with one stone with such a solution as you will be eliminating algae as well as replenishing your pond with bacteria that will improve the pond's overall health.
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Clifford Woods is the CEO of Effective Environmental Services and Organic Environmental Technology.
We brew Beneficial Microorganisms that eat toxins in the environment and offer Natural Organic Solutions.
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Sources
"Pond Magician"; Effective Environmental Services
"Pond Maintenance 101"; Awesome Library
"Pond Care"; Planet Natural
"Ponding 101"; 123Ponds
"Seasonal Pond Maintenance Checklist"; Doctors Foster and Smith

PLANTS IN PONDS

By Clifford Woods

Plants in ponds will reduce the amount of algae that is able to grow, but also use the waste from the fish to give a natural water filtration system.

Plants below the water:These plants are the major contributors to water quality. They will oxygenate the water during the day and provide oxygen for the fish as well supplying excellent shade. Submerged plants compete with algae for use of nitrogen produced from fish waste and decaying plant material.
If you pot these plants it will allow for easy removal for thinning or when winter comes.

A few examples

Jungle Val - Hornwort - Cabomba

Floating and Surface Plants
Pick plant species that grow flowers and leaves on the surface of the water. The difference between floating and surface plants is that floating plants float freely on the water’s surface without attached roots, while surface plants have roots that extend down and anchor into the pond’s soil. Remember to remove plants if coverage exceeds two-thirds of the pond's surface area.

A few examples

Floating Plants:Duckweed - water lettuce

A few examples

Surface Plants: Hawthorne - Four Leaf Water Clover- Water Lotus

Side or Marginal Plants
Plants that grow well in moist or soggy soil or that grow well in standing water. Plant them along the side or edge of your pond. They will root in the soil and their foliage will spread out over the water. Careful to not choose plants that grow rapidly or that will spread to much and too far.

A few examples

Western Blue Flag Iris - Sweet Flag - Dwarf Bamboo

Advice: cleaning your pond and using only organic pond cleaners, makes for healthy ponds, happy fish and thriving plants and it also contributes towards a safer environment for any adults, children or pets spending time in the yard.

Clifford Woods is the CEO of Effective Environmental Services

and Organic Environmental Technology.

We brew Beneficial Microorganisms that eat toxins and offer Environmentally Friendly products.

The Value Of Clean Water

By Clifford Woods

It is a known fact that clean water is essential to all living things to be able to survive. With the environmental changes occurring at present however, the environment is at risk of losing clean water with all the uncontrolled pollutants that are incorporated in the water system.

There might be a time when clean water scarcity will be experienced all around the world.

One solution in addressing the problem of contaminated water is the use of beneficial microorganisms.

Beneficial microorganisms, either in the form of bacteria or fungi, have the ability to breakdown almost anything to use them for food as a source of energy. They are the reason for the decay of organic materials in the environment. Beneficial microorganisms, which we commonly term as good bacteria, are very helpful to the body since they fight harmful microorganisms or bad bacteria.

Aside from their benefits in the body, they also have some benefits in our environment, such as helping in production of clean water. These beneficial microorganisms are versatile; they can adapt to any type of environment they are in. These have the ability to clean water and thus, they are incorporated to dirty ponds and lakes that need to be cleaned up. Although there are natural floras already present in the local environment, they have already been depleted by pollution and thus, the need to incorporate cultured microorganisms into them is imminent. 

Beneficial microorganisms may be incorporated in ponds to produce clean water. Some types of beneficial microorganisms break down toxic ammonia present in ponds. They break them down into nitrites, which are converted into a useful form. An increase of nutrients present in the pond environment can also become harmful, beneficial microorganisms also feed on these excess nutrients. A pond that is full of algae and dead plants has its oxygen content of the water depleted. The introduction of beneficial microorganisms can help clean water by feeding on these dead plants and algae and emitting oxygen back into the water. The pungent odors due to increase in algae and dead plants are also reduced. In this way, other living things present in ponds and lakes, such as fish are able to thrive in the environment. And people enjoy the clean water caused by beneficial microorganisms too.

Bad bacteria present in a pond environment can cause illness to humans resulting in ulcers, septicemia, and gastroenteritis. These harmful microorganisms are incorporated into water systems that mix with water sources and then come out in tap water, which all the while is thought as clean water. Beneficial microorganisms can eliminate stomach illnesses by releasing antibacterial properties.

Beneficial microorganisms are able to balance the ecosystem around their environment to help other living things to thrive, such as in the case of ponds and lakes to keep clean water flowing. 

However, if the beneficial microorganism is out-numbered by harmful organisms and substances, the rate of pollution is faster than the breakdown from the beneficial microorganisms. They cannot do the entire job alone and so there is a need for humans to maintain cleanliness in the environment and to reduce pollution as much as possible to have unending supply of clean water. 

It is important to implement methods that will keep the correct balance of both algae and bacteria so that a healthy ecosystem is maintained. Where matter and waste are allowed to collect in the bottom of the pond, the oxygen content eventually decreases, which means that beneficial bacteria or microorganisms are unable to control for high levels of ammonia and nitrites. Even the application of a pump or filter to aerate the water will prove ineffective.

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Clifford Woods is the CEO of Effective Environmental Services and Organic Environmental Technology
Find out more about our Benficial Microorganism Pond Cleaner - Pond Magician
We brew Beneficial Microorganisms that eat toxins and offer Environmentally Friendly products

How Does Phosphate Get Into A Pond

By Clifford Woods

Ponds under attack from green water, poor coral growth, algae and cyanobacteria and are the things that are responsible for your dying fish. These are factors that generally leave aquarists frustrated, and most of them, are brought about by the presence of phosphates in water.


What Are Phosphates? Phosphates are naturally occurring compounds, which commonly form in water bodies. This is largely due to a number of sources, the major one being water sources. Soil and salt mixes that are swept into the water as a result of rain or wind are a major contributor for how does phosphate get into in a pond and these are usually harder to control than aquarium water.

It’s important to note that phosphates are the active ingredients in fertilizers. That being said, salt mixes that could be found in rocks surrounding the pond may be the reason why your water is choking.

How Can You Identify High Phosphate Levels? Identifying the signs of high phosphate levels can be obvious (if you know what to look for), or they might be a bit more subtle and hard to recognize but here are a few:

• The water color
• Predominant presence of nuisance algae
• Poor coral growth

Your water could indicate the presence of phosphates and if your pond is pea green, you need to think about phosphate testing. Nuisance algae predominance is also a good sign that your water is thriving with phosphates, since like already mentioned; it is the active ingredient in fertilizers and therefore, encourages growth of plants. And Algae of course is a plant. 

Types of algae to look out for are black hair algae and slime algae as well. You can also identify signs of poor marine, such as unhealthy corals and poor survival rates of invertebrates, such as shrimp and snails. There is several phosphate testing kits you can use to identify phosphate presence in your water.

How to Remove Phosphate Eliminating phosphates can be quite tricky and before you can conduct any elimination process, you need to first identify the cause. If you throw frozen foods into your ponds, this may the reason why there are high levels of the compound. You may want to consider rinsing foods before feeding your fish or simply avoiding frozen foods. The water that frozen foods are frozen in sometimes has high phosphate concentrations.

Are there golf courses, farms or even fertilized gardens and lawns around your pond? If yes, run off from the rain are washing these phosphates into your pond. Once you've identified (and hopefully eliminated) where the phosphate is coming from, you can start getting rid of what you already have.

Water changes with phosphate-free water can help cut down on your levels but can take time before you see a noticeable difference.

In salt-water aquariums, protein skimmers can help remove wastes and decrease the phosphate levels, and refugiums can be used in freshwater and salt-water tanks. There are various products in the market that can help you get rid of phosphates. These mediums act to absorb the compound or trap it for removal. When a phosphate remover is applied into the water, it basically traps the phosphates and immobilizes them, making them insoluble nutrients.

Phosphates in ponds are harder to eliminate, since you cannot control what products people use in their lawns and farms. That said, you can control the levels by always ensuring that your pond is clean and using a phosphate remover often. With persistent testing and removal, your pond can have a good water quality for your fish and other marine species to thrive better.

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Clifford Woods is the CEO of Effective Environmental Services and Organic Environmental Technology Find out more about our Organic Pond Cleaner - Pond Magician We brew Beneficial Microorganisms that eat toxins and sell Environmentally Friendly Products.

What is Phosphate?

By Clifford Woods

Phosphates, which contain phosphorus, are essential nutrients that contribute to the growth and metabolic reactions of all animals and plants. The quantity of phosphorus can either increase or limit growth. Since it is essential to the growth of plants and animals, an imbalance in the amount of the natural growth of phosphorus can produce harmful changes to the environment. This is when it becomes a job for a phosphate remover to handle.

Contributing Factors In Phosphates Overgrowth
The internal contributor in the growth of the presence of phosphates in your fish pond is from the mineralization of dead matter, such as plants, uneaten food, feces, fish slime, bacteria, etc. The rotting food particles or dead plant materials settle either within the filter or on the substrate.  Vacuuming the gravel or rinsing filter materials every time you change the water in your pond or tank will substantially decrease the potential accumulation of phosphate deposits. The probable external sources, on the other hand, are additives such as frozen fish food, carbon or pH stabilizers.  

Effects Of Phosphates In Fish Ponds
For people who raise fish on ponds, the elevated presence of phosphates means algae invasion and that is a big threat to the lives of your fish. Using a phosphate remover is ideal in this kind of pond situation. Partially, changing the water in your fish pond more frequently can also help. Once the growth of water weeds and algae in your pond becomes uncontrollable, they will dominate the use of oxygen until the water in your pond will not be able to support the life of your fish any more  leaving them to die. So, use phosphate removers as soon as the presence of phosphorus becomes threatening.

Addressing The Issue With Phosphate Removers
The ideal amount of the presence of phosphates in your fish pond should be below 0.005 ppm. A phosphate remover will control the level of phosphates in your pond by reducing the amount of algae that grows in it.  

When phosphate removers are applied into the water, it basically traps the phosphates and immobilizes them, making them insoluble nutrients. 
Phosphates in ponds are harder to eliminate, since you cannot control what products people use in their lawns and farms. 

That said, you can control the levels by always ensuring that your pond is clean and using a phosphate remover often. With persistent testing and removal, your pond can have a good water quality for your fish and other marine species to thrive better.

For salt-water aquariums, it will maximize the coral growth in it. When buying them, make sure that you thoroughly check the brand specifications. Most often, it comes as phosphate mesh media bags or reactors.  

Those that come in reactors need to be installed, while those that come in mesh media bags are packed with phosphate removal media and employed inside the sump or canister filter.  

If you want to be rid of a persistent phosphate problem, be vigilant in eliminating the causes of its overgrowth in the first place instead of always relying on a phosphate remover to do the job for you. Avoid over-feeding your fish to reduce or eliminate the presence of uneaten foods. Choose a brand of fish food with the lowest levels of phosphates. Perform tank maintenance regularly by vacuuming the bottom of your ponds or tanks to remove plant decay, fish waste, and uneaten food. A filter’s job is to skim all dirt, so make sure you always remember to clean it, too.

Keep all these important maintenance steps in mind for your fish to have smooth-sailing lives.

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Clifford Woods is the CEO of Effective Environmental Services and Organic Environmental Technology
Find out more about our Organic Pond Cleaner - Pond Magician
We brew Beneficial Microorganisms that eat toxins and sell Environmentally Friendly Products.