As ponds mature or establish in spring, the water quality goes through a series of toxicity changes before arriving at a balanced state with little or no ammonia or nitrite. This maturation process can take anything up to six weeks, but is subject to many variables.
You can bring the biological filter to maturity more quickly by using bacterial seeds, but it may still be a couple of years or more before a filter is fully established and able to cope quickly with the fluctuations in load that it may experience.
Bacterial seeds, sometimes known as maturation accelerators, can help to keep down ammonia levels by providing additional nitrifying bacteria. Some of these products also include micro organisms that break down sediment and help to keep green water at bay.
It is not just the nitrogen cycle that brings a filter to life. Part of the maturation process is the result of the development of a complete bio system. Other life forms such as some microscopic, others visible to the naked eye, carry out essential tasks that ensure a healthy filter is achieved.
In short, a multitude of organisms makes up the complete ecosystem that is a biological filter. Dust from the atmosphere and falling leaves will need to be cleared from the pond surface.
Protein scum, caused by the use of air stones or a waterfall, is another surface contaminant that has to be removed. In a modern pond, there should be at least one flush fitting surface skimmer to remove the scum and floating leaved before they become water logged and sink to the bottom.
Activated carbon adsorbs a range of dissolved substances. Carefully monitor its use in the pond. Zeolite will extract ammonia from the water. Remove it if salt is used in the pond. A modern air pump helps to provide the copious amounts of air required in a koi pond.
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