On Wed, 30 Jul 2003 11:12:07 -0400, "BenignVanilla"
wrote:

"ajames54" wrote in message
.. .
snip
Since adding Nitrogen can cause an algae bloom I prefer to start
by adding epsom salts (Magnesium Sulphate) at 1 tsp/1000 gallons
then chealated Iron 7% at 1/2 tsp /1000

If this does not help and it looks like I need to add nitrogen I
remove plants and start feeding the fish more they can supply the
nitrogen.

Since I seem to have some difficulty in finding additives in my area, what
are your thoughts on using some standard fertilizers in small quantities?
Dissolved into the pond water? Maybe plant spikes for the pots in question?

BV.

(many/most) fertilizers use the anhydrous ammonia for the
Nitrogen component .. this can be dangerous. Years ago I almost
killed my fish by using a plant spike as recommended by my pond
store. ... Before using any of them I would recommend testing
them by taking a few gallons of pond water out and putting a tiny
amount of the fertilizer in that water .. then test for ammonia
and nitrates. If the ammonia levels don't change then you should
be safe (but check you fish carefully just in case).


If you can't find things specifically for ponds, here are some
other ways to get what you are after

Nitrogen - Potassium Nitrate is the most harmless way to add it
(other than adding fish waste) it can sometimes be found at a
drug store under its own name or Salt Peter (sometimes available
at garden stores as salt peter). It is also ingredient in most
stump removers, stump rotters so a decent hardware store should
have it. The potassium is also important and would reduce the
need for potash...

Potash is Potassium and is available in a number of ways...
As above is one way but not the best... you would need to dose
your pond to the Nitrate level that would still leave you short
of Potassium.
At a good garden store it would be sold as either
Muriate of Potash (Potassium Chloride)
Sulfate of Potash (Potassium Sulfate)
0-0-22 fertilizer
0-0-60 fertilizer
The good thing about Potash is that it is very hard to overdose.

Sulfate of Potash also provides sulfur which is an important
micro nutrient.