What is the Nitrifying Cycle? Why is it So Important to a Pond?
Fish and dying plant material create waste in the water called ammonia and nitrites. Ammonia and nitrites will kill fish and help make an unhealthy pond environment. Ammonia and nitrites are converted to harmless nitrates (fertilizer) by nitrifying bacteria. Nitrifying bacteria, Nitrobacter and Nitrosomonas, need to be alive and well in your pond’s biological filter so that they can continually convert the waste into fertilizer. For a more in-depth explanation of the nitrifying cycle read our article Mother Nature’s Balancing Act – The Nitrifying Cycle. You DO need a biological filter in your pond if you want continually healthy fish. Bad water quality is the most common problem with koi or goldfish health. You could lose your whole pond full of fish with just one ammonia or nitrite spike!
