Pond Water Quality
Hydrogen Sulfide
Deadly Hydrogen Sulfide in your koi pond water
Hydrogen Sulfide gas is a gas produced in an-aerobic pockets under water. These may occur anywhere there is deep gravel, sand or sediment, or in a sump with thick sludge.
Koi Ponds with more than a few inches of gravel on the bottom will develop noxious gases including methane, Hydrogen sulfide and toxic levels of Carbon Dioxide.
Without Oxygen, some bacteria can respire by using Sulfur, and this creates Hydrogen Sulfide, H2S that is very, very toxic to to your. HACH Chemical has a test for this, (1-800-227-4224) but this should be suspected in any case of koi loss where:
- 1) There are no parasites, proven by microscopy,
- 2) There are no real Ammonia or Nitrite problems
- 3) The signs are respiratory problems
- 4) The history has some reference to a stalled pond filter or the stirring of stagnant gravel or media in the bottom of your koi pond.
- The smell is one of rotting eggs. Losses may be great and they will continue after the H2S is long gone.