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Water Plants and the Nitrogen Cycle

Q: Why do my fish get sick and die?

A: Your koi pond (or any recirculating water environment) is a closed system; water stays there. Fish constantly feed and emit waste products in the form of ammonia nitrogen, or NH4. This makes the water progressively unfit for fish health.

Q: What is the The Nitrogen Cycle?

A: In an established pond, the natural biological process that cleans up the waste is called The Nitrogen Cycle. In a nutshell: Beneficial bacteria in your pond constantly convert NH4 (ammonia, toxic) to NO2 (nitrite, toxic) and then to NO3 (nitrate, harmless), which is almost the same thing as plant fertilizer.

A: Why do I get algae?

A: Because your pond is basically a fertilizer factory, plants grow very well in it. If you have few or no plants already, algae (singular, alga) will grow. Alga spores enter your pond by fish, plant, nets, and even air.

Q: How can I prevent algae without chemicals?

A: Water Hyacinth are the best beneficial plant for algae control. Each floating plant has hundreds of feathery roots that efficiently soak up the nitrate. They also provide surface area for the Nitrogen Cycle. Not only beneficial, their spectacular lavender blooms will become a focal point in your garden.

Q: How many plants do I need?

A: If you start out with many plants in your pond, (50% coverage or more) they will eat up the nitrate as it is produced. Algae have little chance to get started. Once algae gain a foothold, it is almost impossible to remove permanently.

Q: What whould I do with extraneous plants?

A: Caution! While useful in secure residential gardens, water hyacinth and other aquatic plants can be invasive and costly to remove from waterways. Never stock or dump near a body of water. Please destroy unused plants and their seeds.

Q: Why J & J Aquafarms Water Hyacinth?

A: Our plants have been dipped in an antiseptic, anti-parasitical solution that is completely non-toxic to your fish. We have some of the earliest varieties of Water Hyacinth available for shipping. Therefore, you can order well in advance of warmer temperatures to protect your pond as it enters the critical spring season change.

Q: What are the different kinds of algae?

Q. Will Algae kill my fish?

Q: What other plants are good for algae prevention?

Q How fast do Water Hyaicnth grow?

Q: How can I keep my koi from eating the plants?

For all the answers, order the full version of Water Plants and the Nitrogen Cycle.

Or, receive it free with each purchase of J & J Aquafarms Water hyacinth!