Is this cause

[bayoupr]

I just got finished checking my pond water in which I have several cichlids that have been in there for several months. My PH is 7.4, my Ammonia is 0 ppm but the Nitrat, N03 reading is 20mg. Not sure what to make of the N03 reading. Just picked up this test kit and I don't know what this reading means. Good or Bad and if bad what to do?

[SnakeIce]

nitrate is the end of the nittrogen cycle in your pond unless you have plants or algae growing in there.

you didn't say how big this pond is... if it were a tank and you had that nitrate level I would recomend a water change or two or three, because that is maybe not high enough to cause your fish to get sick but it may be stressing them..

with out knowing more about the details of this pond I don't know what to recomend.... is it indoors or out side? how big?
what are you using to circulate the water?

[NJ Devils Fan]

You might need to do a water change twice a week to get the nitrates to stay down. Even then it might not be enough. First though, are you having and problems? Any fish dying? Remember, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.;) (even though water changes are good;) :p )

[bayoupr]

Pond size is 200g. Nothing has died or see any noticable problems. Will do a water change today as so as the weather clears.

[SayersWeb]

Is this an indoor or outdoor pond? Where are you located? If your have koi/goldfish hybernating.... do not do any water changes!!!! Keeping ponds is very different than aquariums.

[bayoupr]

I live in southeast Louisiana and my pond is outside and heated. The temp maintains at 74deg.