Ponds ?

[toastie]

hi ,. hope its ok to ask here , my brother has just built a pond and it occurred to me about cycling and all the with a tank ,. he has a pump so will he need to leave it a few weeks and test the water ?  
 
cheers d 

 

[DrRob]

Ponds generally get away with a lot of things tanks don't for several reasons. So you should be fine to do that.
 

1. Natural water changes from rain.
2. Huge volume compared to initial stocking
3. Lots of natural ammonia sources.
4. High plant load.
   
    

 

[toastie]

cheers 

 

[DerpPH]

oh and a substrate with a big bacteria load capacity such as soil.
 
Marsh plants really now how to reduce ammonia, nitrate and nitrite level.
 
I can suggest having cattails, lily pads, and a carpet of dwarf or giant sagitarria

 

[Tongue_Flicker]

Ponds generally get away with a lot of things tanks don't for several reasons. So you should be fine to do that.
 

• Natural water changes from rain.
• Huge volume compared to initial stocking
• Lots of natural ammonia sources.
• High plant load.
   

  

oh and a substrate with a big bacteria load capacity such as soil.
 
Marsh plants really now how to reduce ammonia, nitrate and nitrite level.
 
I can suggest having cattails, lily pads, and a carpet of dwarf or giant sagitarria

Agreed. A great majority of outdoor ponds usually do well on their own since they are more exposed to elements and other natural stuff that would be otherwise almost impossible to replicate in an indoor, glass tank. Hence, achieving a level of 'homeostasis' and independence.

 

[toastie]

thanks chaps