Low Oxygen Levels
Low levels of dissolved oxygen in ponds are
likely the most common water quality problem in fish ponds. Aeration is often
necessary to prevent fish from dying during low dissolved oxygen periods.
Water can hold only a limited amount of dissolved oxygen. It increases as
atmospheric pressure goes up and as temperature and salinity go down. A couple
of way dissolved oxygen is added to water is by atmospheric diffusion at the
surface and by photosynthesis during daylight hours. However, in a closed pond
ecosystem, the majority of dissolved oxygen is supplied by the water fall,
stream and/or fountains. Dissolved oxygen levels of 3-5 ppm will adequately
support most pond fish.
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