# Pond Lilies & PH Levels
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Ecosystem
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All water systems need balance to flourish and support life. As with plants that grow on land, pond lilies and other pond plants take in carbon dioxide and expire oxygen, which helps keep the pond healthy. When dead plants and animals sink to the bottom, oxygen is required to decompose them. Bacteria on the pond floor break down dead material, releasing nitrogen that then combines with hydrogen to form NH2 or ammonia. While some ammonia is beneficial to pond life, too much depletes oxygen and kills plants and animals in the pond. Ammonia is also an animal waste byproduct and is more toxic at high pH levels.
Pond Lilies
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The most popular lilies are the hardy lilies. There are two water lily species commonly used in garden ponds: the hardy lily, of which carnea and alba are common varieties, and the tropical lily. Tropical lilies do not tolerate cold winters and need removal in winter, while hardy lilies survive as long as their roots don't freeze. Tropical water lilies require warmer water than the hardy lilies, flower at night and bloom later. Lilies provide beauty and shelter for fish and frogs from predators. The broad leaves shade the water, choke out algae bloom, keep the water clean and the temperature even.
pH Balance
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The pH balance refers to acidity or alkalinity on a range of 1.0 to 14.0 with 7.0 being neutral. Lilies can survive well at pH levels from 6.5 to 7.5. Maintaining the pH balance at about 7.0 is critical to a healthy, living pond and depends oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen and phosphorus. Once the pH exceeds 8.0, ammonia, which is essential for growth up to a point, harms water lilies as oxygen levels decrease. The pH varies through out the day with the peak reading being in the late afternoon and the lowest reading in the early morning.
Tips
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A healthy garden pond has a well-balanced planting and healthy water lilies. Healthy pond lilies need a good oxygen supply, ammonia and correct pH. Water snails are good pond cleaners, consume excess microbial waste and fungi, and tolerate high levels of ammonia. A fountain or water pump increases the pond's oxygen level. Test the pH levels once a month, allowing for daily fluctuation. To correct the pH level add 1/2 cup of bicarbonate of soda to 1,000 gallons to increase the pH, or 1 cup of white vinegar to 1,000 gallons to decrease the pH.
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