Why Has My Ammonia Level Increased?

[mark4785]

I have been running a 1300 litre pond now for about 3 years after completing a several month fish-in cycle. I've had no ammonia issues up until yesterday when the ammonia level had risen to 4.0 ppm. I'm very shocked at this reading because it is unusual and I don't know the cause of it.

On saturday, I completed some filter maintenance which involved taking all three biological sponges out of the filter and dunking them in a bucket of pond water. At no point did I excessively squeeze the sponges to remove any beneficial bacteria when in the buckets. The sponge that I removed that was positioned below the other two had a layer of green algae stuck to it so I scratched some of it off with my nails.

Would the removal of that algae through scratching it off have removed some of the beneficial bacteria? I didn't think it actually thrived on algae itself so thats why I removed it.

Also, one thing worth noting is that the pond has had green water all summer so I've been unable to check on the green tench I have in there which is a bottom dweller. He usually comes up for food with the other Koi but I haven't seen him for several months so I'm starting to wonder if he is dead and the rotting is causing the ammonia spike? I've had a large hand held net in the water and I haven't managed to remove any corpses. A friend of mine did say such bottom dwellers can thrive purely on algae stuck to the pond base.

The other thing worth mentioning is a 12cm Koi which went missing about 3 months ago. It would always come up to the surface to eat but it has suddenly vanished. At the time of it vanishing there was no safety net above the pond to stop herons removing fish so I presumed a heron had taken it. Alternatively, maybe it has died of organ failure or something fundamental like that and is now also rotting in the pond?!

Official Stocking Level:
- Three gold fish
- One shubunkin
- Three Koi
- Two Ghost Carp
- Three Golden Orfe
- One golden rudd
- One green Tench (I think)
- One small Koi (Disappeared though)

What should I do to the pond to ensure I get of this mini-nitrogen cycle very promptly?

I have thought about adding chemical additives and/or zeolite media.

Should I rely on the above products or is constant water changes the best option?

Help appreciated as my aquatic store are not helpful!

Mark.

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

My guess would be something has died in the tank.

I think water changes are the best bet

 

[mark4785]

My guess would be something has died in the tank.

I think water changes are the best bet

Alright thanks,

I did a 40% water change on sunday and a 30% water change today and the ammonia level is still about 2.0. I've decided to add a bit of zeolite as if there is rotting fish in there, the ammonia levels will increase massively.

I've had the fishing net in twice and I've been unable to net any corpses. Its like putting a net into pea soup, having to weave around bits of pipe, the pump and avoid hurting the alive inhabitants at the same time!

 

[mark4785]

Well the ammonia level in the pond is back to zero. Done 10-12 water changes amounting to 2800 litres of replaced water, added zeolite and a chemical that actively consumes ammonia.

The nitrite level is getting stabilized at present.

The water is crystal clear as a result of the water change and it would appear that rotting snails were the cause of the ammonia spike. They must have been moving across the pond netting and losing grip. I've removed 4 dead snails so far!

 

[Skins]

I bet your back is killing after all those water changes.

 

[mark4785]

I bet your back is killing after all those water changes.

It was yes but if it helps the fish it doesn't matter lol.

I still have my zeolite in the filter so my new concern is sodium concentrations which is what it releases into the water