The ponds used in the Langston experiments do not have aeration capability. If your pond develops a DO problem, use your aerator. As soon as weather or pond conditions improve, stop aerating and allow the pond to recover normally. As algal population carbon requirements exceed available carbon dioxide levels, algae will use carbon from the pond buffer supply and alkalinity will decline. Reduce feeding for a few days to allow algal populations and alkalinity time to stabilize.
Heavy rains can also cause alkalinity to decline.
As feeding rates and pond temperatures increase, TAN and nitrite-nitrogen levels will increase. However, ponds which are highly enriched from years of accelerated production may have nutrient levels outside, usually above, these ranges. At this point, changes in nutrient concentration indicate changes in algal or bacterial populations if weather conditions are stable. Algae use ammonia readily when sunlight is available. If feed rates are constant, an increase in TAN concentration usually means that algal populations are declining.