Pond Stocking is a delicate process and not something you do as soon as you have your pond up. Cycle your pond properly to make it safe for the fish. New Pond Syndrome (NPS) is often the first and most expensive problem encountered by new pond keepers.
You may first encounter NPS unknowingly in the form of diseased fish in a new pond and hope that you will be able to medicate the problem away. Where NPS is the cause of the problem, treating fish is not the solution.
NPS is a term that describes what can happen if a new pond is stocked in haste. If too many fish are added too soon, then more ammonia is released into the pond than can be broken down by the immature filter.
In the wild-both in and out of water-organic waste materials of all sorts (dead animals and plants) break down into ammonia. Both ammonia and nitrite are highly toxic to fish. By testing the water regularly and keeping on top of any ammonia or nitrite issues, you can prevent the serious health implication.
Symptoms
If your pond is less than three months old, the symptoms of NPS can be recognized as follows:
High ammonia or nitrite readings
Fish gasping, sulking, swimming erratically, or not feeding.
Test your pond water frequently for PH to ensure that you maintain it at the correct level. You should also test ammonia and nitrite regularly during the running of a new pond. These tests will show how the filter is maturing and whether it is keeping pace with the rate at which waste is produced.
If the PH is too high, carry out a partial water change with soft, acidic water, and check for sources of buffer in your pond that could be raising the PH to extreme levels. If the PH is too low, add some tap water or add a source of lime such as limestone chipping or crushed shells.
Ammonia
The desired ammonia reading is zero; if you have a positive reading (which suggest that the ammonia excreted by fish is not being broken down), you should stop feeding the fish immediately. Do not introduce any new fish, carry out a 20 to 30 percent water change, and only start feeding again when the reading is back to zero. For the next week take a reading every day to make sure it is at the right level.
Nitrite
The only desirable nitrite reading is zero, and if a positive nitrite reading is present, it is an indication that the filter is not coping with the amount of waste. Evan a low nitrite reading is undesirable and, if present, the same remedial procedure as for ammonia toxicity should be followed.
Prevention
The most reliable method of preventing NPS is to stock your pond wisely and patiently. Add fish gradually over the first 3 months of a new ponds life and monitor the ammonia and nitrite levels. After pond stocking watch your fish during this time and look for any signs of stress. You can help the maturation of your new pond and filter system by adding a source of bacteria. You can add filter boosters (products containing beneficial filter bacteria) or some mature filter media from another pond filter to speed up the process.
Properly cared for, your fish and it's offspring will reward you with many hours of enjoyment. Treat them as kindly as you would any family pet.
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Thanks for the visit and Happy Ponding
