Have you read that garden ponds designed by man mimics the corresponding natural ecosystem of our planet? Undoubtedly, any simulated lagoon done by a human being must grow, since it’s virtually the same as the ecosystem of our planet earth. One element of this is the pond nitrogen cycle. Understanding how this cycle works is invaluable for maintaining a pond’s overall life.

In the eyes of an ordinary person, a natural lagoon is no more than a commonplace “tub of water”. That is, water – mostly from rain or runoff – collects into a small body of water. As it turns out, this “magically” transforms into a given ecosystem for animals and plants to thrive in. For the regular individual, knowing how a lagoon regulates itself really means nothing. However, when someone wishes to duplicate a man-made pond on their property, the passive witnessing of nature may not be enough. All the while, you would have to study deeper the cycle process which moves in a pond’s ecosystem. This includes understanding the pond’s nitrogen cycle.

And what is a pond’s nitrogen cycle? A ponds nitrogen cycle is a series of steps that take place in a pond that helps to keep the pond clean and cycle out organic waste. What follows is simplified analysis.

It’s a fact that a fish will definitely discharge waste in the pond. As the waste breaks down, ammonia is produced. Ammonia eventually becomes poison when it builds. To keep ammonia levels from getting to dangerous levels, beneficial bacteria called Nitrosomonas will break down ammonia and convert it into Nitrite, which is still toxic if it builds up, but less so than Ammonia. After Ammonia transforms to Nitrite, a new group of helpful bacteria called Nitrobacter enters to defeat it and then change it into Nitrates, which is not as harmful as the Nitrite.    The plants in the pond then takes advantage of Nitrate as its source of nutrients, helping keep Nitrate level at the minimum while at the same time controlling the seaweeds. The nitrogen cycle basically is a fine process where the pond’s ecosystem detoxifies itself while in the long run still sustaining its habitat with food.

This deep seated mechanism has been happening for a billion years in evolution and there’s no reason it should not work in a naturally balance pond. Still, the artificial ponds requires help from other pond resources to tip the scale of the ecosystem in favor of the survival of pond life. Pond filters can help filter out extra waste and also provide a safe breeding ground for beneficial bacteria to grow and thrive.

Also there are bacteria vaccinations in the stores that can be supplemented to assure that nice bacteria is always present to check down waste levels and transform the ammonias and nitrites. Additionally, pond plants can be purchased and added to a pond to help with the utilization of unnecessary nitrates to prevent its availability to nuisance plants like algae. These products eventually helps a small fish shoal environment to keep up an adequate and active nitrogen cycle.

In the future, the need to bring in new methods to maintain the nitrogen cycle of the pond would diminish. The reason could be that the pond would be self-sufficient, meaning it can produce nutrients for its own food. As one proverb said, nature is self reliant.

Landscape Design Calgary is a local organization that promotes ecologically friendly ponds

Written by: Custom Stone and Waterscapes ‎3829 Parkhill Place SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2W6 (403) 870-1142