How to Dissolve Inorganic Fertilizers for Fish

Inorganic fertilizers supply nutrients for aquatic plants that are growing within fish ponds. Inorganic fertilizers are made up of one or more of the major plant nutrients, these being potassium, nitrogen and phosphate. Monoammonium phosphate, super phosphate and diammonium phosphate are the fertilizers typically used in pond culture. Fertilizing a pond can increase its productivity by up to four times. Inorganic fertilizer encourages the growth of phytoplankton, which is the basis of the pond food chain. Algae blooms also prevent sunlight penetration to the pond bottom and thereby assist to reduce the proliferation of weeds that require light.

Things You'll Need

  • Granular inorganic fertilizer
  • Spade
  • Gunny sacks
  • Thin rope
  • Scissors
  • Bamboo poles
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Instructions

    • 1

      Fill a number of gunny sacks with granular inorganic fertilizer. Secure the necks of the sacks with rope.

    • 2

      Dose the pond at the rate of 40 pounds per surface acre.

    • 3

      Construct as many small platforms as required from which to suspend the gunny sacks. Position the sacks at as many different positions throughout the pond as possible to distribute the inorganic fertilizer evenly.

    • 4

      Construct your bamboo platforms approximately 8 square feet in size. Attach legs to the platform and push these into the bottom of the pond so that the horizontal surface of the platform is just below the surface of the pond.

    • 5

      Source sites within the pond where the top layers of water are moved by the wind. Avoid placing the sacks near the bank or in any of the corners of the pond, as there will not be sufficient water movement in these areas. Fertilizer will then remain in isolated areas in the pond and not be distributed throughout.

    • 6

      Place a vertical stick on each platform so that you are aware of where they are.

    • 7

      Monitor the color of your pond water. The phytoplankton that is being nourished by the inorganic fertilizer will cause a bloom throughout the water. If the color of the bloom begins to fade, you need to check the gunny sacks to gauge how quickly the granules are dissolving. Re-dose your pond before the color fades completely.

    • 8

      Dose your pond at the rate of one gallon per surface acre if you choose to use a liquid inorganic fertilizer instead of a granular fertilizer.