Found this on
another Koi site/forum.
Quote:
“Nitrate will affect your TDS readings - the other
damaging effect of nitrates were explained 14 years ago, Takayuki Ezaki
MD;Ph.D. Prof. bacteriologist, writing on behalf of the ZNA Research Division,
shared his observations of the effect of nitrates on the white ground of
Kohaku. He urged that the maximum concentration of nitrate be 15 ppm, stating:
"Anything more than this and the skin gradually begins to deteriorate,
improving again as the concentration lessens." He recommended that if
nitrates can be kept at 5 ppm or less, "the skin becomes so white it
virtually shines". He ascribed the negative effect of nitrates on (1)
reduced the ability to discharge metabolic toxins from the body, resulting in
build up of metabolic wastes in the skin, and (2) on the pond water becoming
less receptive to dissolution of atmospheric oxygen into the water 1. He expressed the view that nitrate
levels above 10 ppm adversely affect oxygen dissolving into the water column such that
saturation levels at given temperatures cannot be readily maintained.” 1: Several scientists
have studied mineral levels in different bodies of water, and have found that
the levels of phosphates and nitrates heavily impact the overall health of the
water and its inhabitants. (Yanamadala, 2005)
Wow! This gives you a lot to
think about… when I have been advocating low Nitrates for the past 30 years
now. This MPKS pond tour my Kohaku had a very brilliant Shiro (white), better than that
of any Kohaku at the MPKS 2013 Koi show. The scales almost look like shinny kinginrin
scales, and this is without any specialized Koi foods.
Of course it only makes sense
that the higher the Nitrate ions in solution, the greater your TDS readings would
be [See my test for more information on TDS and CE and how low the Anoxic
Filter can make it.] and that will then effect everything down the change as
far as water quality goes. Still,
some hobbyist will advocate that high Nitrates are harmless and hobbyists
shouldn’t really worry about them too much because water changes will dilute the Nitrates. But for some hobbyist water is costly and restricted
on its use, besides; water changes will only do so much! However, as time goes on and as
scientists learn more about water quality and fish heath, that now they tells
us that Nitrates are not as harmless as we thought 40 years ago.
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Tried to get some good photos of my 22" Kohaku so you could see
the ground, Shiro and Hi of the Koi, but she just wouldn’t corporate and sit
still for me.
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Takayuki Ezaki statement about Nitrates would explain why hobbyists find their Koi look better
and are more resistant to disease when the Anoxic Filter is used over other
methods of pond filtration. If a Koi cannot rid itself of metabolic toxins from
the body the same as us humans, then weakening of the immune system becomes
apparent.
Yanamadala,
V. (2005, November/December). Calcium Carbonate Phosphate Binding
Ion
Exchange Filtration and Accelerated Denitrification Improve Public Health
Standards and Combat Eutrophication in Aquatic Ecosystems. Water Environment
Research, 77(7), 3003-3012.
This
pond uses an Anoxic filtration system and look how bright the Hi (red color) is on their Kohaku
in the center of photo.
Anoxic Filtration System by Syd Mitchell, Tony Ruiz & Dr Kevin Novak
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