1. Pond Water Quality (the basics) Frank Henning UGA Watershed Extension Agent

2. To a great extent water quality determines the success or failure of a fish operation

3. EatEat BreatheBreathe Excrete wastesExcrete wastes ReproduceReproduce Take in and lose saltsTake in and lose salts Fish live in water

4. Water Quality Factors Oxygen/CO 2 Alkalinity, Hardness & pH Sediment Nutrients (NH 3 and P) Temperature

5. Dissolved Oxygen ImportanceImportance –highest cause of mortality Safe levelsSafe levels –greater than 5 mg/L Dense bloom, bloom die-offDense bloom, bloom die-off herbicide app. & turnover herbicide app. & turnover

6. Daily O 2, CO 2 Cycles

7. DO Management Avoid Overfeeding Maintain Proper Densities Avoid Over-fertilization Intelligent Weed Control Monitor Inflow Quality

8. Outlet Design

9. Signs of Low DO Fish not eatingFish not eating Piping & GaspingPiping & Gasping Groups of Fish at InflowGroups of Fish at Inflow Poor GrowthPoor Growth Frequent Disease/Parasite OutbreaksFrequent Disease/Parasite Outbreaks

10. 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 5 pm10 pm5 am Measured values Projected values mg/l Projected Dissolved Oxygen Levels Lethal

11. Problem Suspected Monitor DO Provide Aeration & Circulation

12. Temperature Effects – –metabolic rate doubles for every 18 o F increase – –Influences spawning – –Influences growth Water Density – –Max @ 39 o F – –Turn- over Fish Categories – coldwater – coolwater - warmwater

13. pH Measure of the hydrogenMeasure of the hydrogen ion concentration ion concentration 1-14 scale1-14 scale –less than 7 acidic –greater than 7 basic Safe rangeSafe range –6.5 - 9

14. Hardness Hardness if the measure of divalent cationsHardness if the measure of divalent cations –calcium –magnesium Hardness is used as an indicator of alkalinity but hardness is not a measure of alkalinityHardness is used as an indicator of alkalinity but hardness is not a measure of alkalinity –magnesium or calcium sulfate increases hardness but has no affect on alkalinity Recommended hardness levels > 20 ppmRecommended hardness levels > 20 ppm

15. Alkalinity Alkalinity is the capacity of water to buffer against wide pH swingsAlkalinity is the capacity of water to buffer against wide pH swings Acceptable range 20 - 400 mg/LAcceptable range 20 - 400 mg/L

16. Liming Ponds Total Alkalinity > 20 ppmTotal Alkalinity > 20 ppm Agricultural LimeAgricultural Lime ~ every 2 – 4 years ~ every 2 – 4 years Broadcast Over the Broadcast Over the Entire Pond Surface Entire Pond Surface Professional LimingProfessional Liming Barges on Large Ponds Barges on Large Ponds

17. Total Alkalinity Lime/Surface Area 12 mg/l1-2 ton 12 - 14 mg/l1 ton 15 - 25 mg/l1/2 ton 25 mg/l or moreNone Guidelines for Application of Lime in Ponds

18. Proper Fertilization 5-10 apps per year Start in February Time apps using secchi disk Shade out weeds

19. Fertilization Supplements the Food Chain More Fish - Not Bigger Fish Multiplies the Base of the Food Chain Increases Carrying Capacity 4X

20. Using the Secchi Disk Professional Disk $25 Measures visibility Measure frequently Pie pan, 5 gal bucket lid w/ weight.

23. Granular Fertilizer Applications Usually applied usingUsually applied using a platform a platform Upper end of pondUpper end of pond

24. Liquid Fertilizer Applications Tip # 1 - Dilute the fertilizer with water. Tip # 2 - Use small bilge pump. Tip # 3 - Pump or pour into prop wash. Tip # 4 - Cover the entire pond.

25. Water Soluble Fertilizer New trend Easy to apply Fast results

26. Water plants Food Excess food Fishes Peptides Amino acids Urine Urea Ammonia (NH ) Algae Nitrate (NO ) Nitrite (NO ) Feces 2 3 3 The Nitrogen Cycle

28. Management for N Problems Reduce DensitiesReduce Densities Avoid OverfeedingAvoid Overfeeding Water ChangesWater Changes AerationAeration SaltSalt

29. Clearing Muddy Ponds Step # 1 - Find the Cause Undesirable Species Undesirable Species Poor Watershed Management Poor Watershed Management Undesirable Water Source Undesirable Water Source Step # 2 - Evaluate Solutions Total Renovation of Population Total Renovation of Population Watershed Vegetation Watershed Vegetation Chemical Alternatives Chemical Alternatives Step # 3 - Implement Management Plan Establish vegetation in the watershed Establish vegetation in the watershed Lime pond, 200-500 lb Gypsum, Alum

30. Phosphorus Limiting nutrient Animal waste Monitor nutrient input >0.1 ppm (0.05 ppm)

31. Test Kits Turbidity (Secci) DO Ammonia pH Temp Alkalinity Hardness

32. Lab Analysis (UGA Extension) Alkalinity Hardness Phosphorus 1.800.ASK UGA1

33. More Information http://srac.tamu.edu/ http://county.ces.uga.edu/habersham/aqua/pondmanagement.html

34. Hydrogen Sulfide SourceSource –well water –inadequate filtration shift from aerobic toshift from aerobic to anaerobic breakdown anaerobic breakdown of wastes of wastes RemovalRemoval –intense aeration

35. Chloride & Salinity Ammonia &/or Osmotic StressAmmonia &/or Osmotic Stress Add Salt to 0-3 ppt chloride optimal for freshwater fishesAdd Salt to 0-3 ppt chloride optimal for freshwater fishes Plain non-iodized saltPlain non-iodized salt Some culture species require more or lessSome culture species require more or less