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High Ph
I will probably be posting regularly for a while untill not only my
pond is in balance but my understanding of it all:) I have been bringing this pond back to life for the first time, for me. I am in sunny Austin, Texas. I felt like I was making excellent progress with the 'health' of my pond till the last 3 or 4 days. Since then I have noticed String Algae developing (water is clear) and my ph rising steadily. Ammonia, Nitrates are at 0, Nitrates minimal if any. Don't have a hardness test. While I haven't been testing it very long I felt like my ph WAS normally around 8/8.2, apparently about the norm around here. Now I am getting readings at bottom of my chart which only goes to 8.8 and I suspect my color is higher than that. I may have done (at least) 2 things wrong. Most of my numerous plants and lillies have only been there a few weeks. When I potted them I did use a topsoil mix which had no vermiculite, fertilizer etc. but was somewhat loamy, sandwiched top and bottom by pea gravel. Perhaps no coincidence 2 days after building a little in-pond stack of river rocks and Moss Boulder to create a simulated waterfall splash (from my outflow pipe) I noticed my ph rising (also so did the temperatures and sunlight). I have been using the same material to raise my pots. So I guess this post I am soliciting advice as to a direction to attack first. Most likely the rocks, soil or other things. My first 'bloom' I really panicked and I don't want to repot all my plants, put them on what and take away my waterfall, if this is just a balancing thing that requires smaller adjustments. Thanxx - Bill |
High Ph
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High Ph
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High Ph
Charles wrote in message . ..
On 30 Mar 2004 20:36:49 -0800, (NewbieBill) wrote: It appears to be bass ackwards. As far as I can tell from my narrow range on the scale it was once again 8.8+ at 10 am and 7.8/8 at 3 pm. Would water hardness (which I can't currently measure) make any sense of this. I would guess our water is a little hard, but not sure. What time of day are you measuring pH? Diana Walstad reports of a sof****er lake that changed from 5.7 in the morning to 9.6 at noon. I this is due to the plants drawing out the CO2 from the water. |
High Ph
Charles wrote in message . ..
On 30 Mar 2004 20:36:49 -0800, (NewbieBill) wrote: It appears to be bass ackwards. As far as I can tell from my narrow range on the scale it was once again 8.8+ at 10 am and 7.8/8 at 3 pm. Would water hardness (which I can't currently measure) make any sense of this. I would guess our water is a little hard, but not sure. What time of day are you measuring pH? Diana Walstad reports of a sof****er lake that changed from 5.7 in the morning to 9.6 at noon. I this is due to the plants drawing out the CO2 from the water. |
High Ph
Both readings appear to be fine to me :)
You can get the KH measuring 'kit' at PetSmart, etc. Very reasonable.- around $5 to $7. It is one you really shouldn't be without. Nedra http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pines/4836 http://community.webshots.com/user/nedra118 "NewbieBill" wrote in message om... Charles wrote in message . .. On 30 Mar 2004 20:36:49 -0800, (NewbieBill) wrote: It appears to be bass ackwards. As far as I can tell from my narrow range on the scale it was once again 8.8+ at 10 am and 7.8/8 at 3 pm. Would water hardness (which I can't currently measure) make any sense of this. I would guess our water is a little hard, but not sure. What time of day are you measuring pH? Diana Walstad reports of a sof****er lake that changed from 5.7 in the morning to 9.6 at noon. I this is due to the plants drawing out the CO2 from the water. |
High Ph
Both readings appear to be fine to me :)
You can get the KH measuring 'kit' at PetSmart, etc. Very reasonable.- around $5 to $7. It is one you really shouldn't be without. Nedra http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pines/4836 http://community.webshots.com/user/nedra118 "NewbieBill" wrote in message om... Charles wrote in message . .. On 30 Mar 2004 20:36:49 -0800, (NewbieBill) wrote: It appears to be bass ackwards. As far as I can tell from my narrow range on the scale it was once again 8.8+ at 10 am and 7.8/8 at 3 pm. Would water hardness (which I can't currently measure) make any sense of this. I would guess our water is a little hard, but not sure. What time of day are you measuring pH? Diana Walstad reports of a sof****er lake that changed from 5.7 in the morning to 9.6 at noon. I this is due to the plants drawing out the CO2 from the water. |
High Ph
On 31 Mar 2004 14:14:16 -0800, (NewbieBill) wrote:
It appears to be bass ackwards. As far as I can tell from my narrow range on the scale it was once again 8.8+ at 10 am and 7.8/8 at 3 pm. Would water hardness (which I can't currently measure) make any sense of this. I would guess our water is a little hard, but not sure. There are two hardness measurements GH or general hardness is usually a reading of calcium and magnesium. KH or carbonate hardness measures the buffering agent in the water that keeps the pH from wild swings. Plants use sunlight and carbon dioxide to make food and release oxygen during the day, but oxygen is used at night when the sun isn't shining and carbon dioxide is released into the pond making carbonic acid, which lowers the pH reading at night or early in the morning. Before you use a pH down agent check the KH, or try baking soda first if the pH is too high. Baking soda, sodium bicarbonate, is a great pH buffer. http://srac.tamu.edu/464fs.pdf http://www.drhelm.com/aquarium/chemistry.html Regards, Hal |
High Ph
yes, if he doesnt have much alkalinity (calcium) he needs to add some organic
dolomitic limestone to buffer the water. I have lake water with some calcium, but not enough so I add dolomitic limestone to make sure I got good buffering. good loam and pea gravel will not affect pH. ammonia can drive the pH up tho. Ingrid Charles wrote: What time of day are you measuring pH? Diana Walstad reports of a sof****er lake that changed from 5.7 in the morning to 9.6 at noon. I this is due to the plants drawing out the CO2 from the water. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ List Manager: Puregold Goldfish List http://puregold.aquaria.net/ www.drsolo.com Solve the problem, dont waste energy finding who's to blame ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Unfortunately, I receive no money, gifts, discounts or other compensation for all the damn work I do, nor for any of the endorsements or recommendations I make. |
High Ph
yes, if he doesnt have much alkalinity (calcium) he needs to add some organic
dolomitic limestone to buffer the water. I have lake water with some calcium, but not enough so I add dolomitic limestone to make sure I got good buffering. good loam and pea gravel will not affect pH. ammonia can drive the pH up tho. Ingrid Charles wrote: What time of day are you measuring pH? Diana Walstad reports of a sof****er lake that changed from 5.7 in the morning to 9.6 at noon. I this is due to the plants drawing out the CO2 from the water. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ List Manager: Puregold Goldfish List http://puregold.aquaria.net/ www.drsolo.com Solve the problem, dont waste energy finding who's to blame ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Unfortunately, I receive no money, gifts, discounts or other compensation for all the damn work I do, nor for any of the endorsements or recommendations I make. |
High Ph
Hal,
KH is less complicated and easy to fix as you state - with baking soda. pH will level out at 8.4 with baking soda... in fact, I've been told it is difficult to overdose the baking soda. One thing in its use .... add about half a lb. mixed in pond water every other day. :) Nedra http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pines/4836 http://community.webshots.com/user/nedra118 "Hal" wrote in message ... On 31 Mar 2004 14:14:16 -0800, (NewbieBill) wrote: It appears to be bass ackwards. As far as I can tell from my narrow range on the scale it was once again 8.8+ at 10 am and 7.8/8 at 3 pm. Would water hardness (which I can't currently measure) make any sense of this. I would guess our water is a little hard, but not sure. There are two hardness measurements GH or general hardness is usually a reading of calcium and magnesium. KH or carbonate hardness measures the buffering agent in the water that keeps the pH from wild swings. Plants use sunlight and carbon dioxide to make food and release oxygen during the day, but oxygen is used at night when the sun isn't shining and carbon dioxide is released into the pond making carbonic acid, which lowers the pH reading at night or early in the morning. Before you use a pH down agent check the KH, or try baking soda first if the pH is too high. Baking soda, sodium bicarbonate, is a great pH buffer. http://srac.tamu.edu/464fs.pdf http://www.drhelm.com/aquarium/chemistry.html Regards, Hal |
High Ph
Hal,
KH is less complicated and easy to fix as you state - with baking soda. pH will level out at 8.4 with baking soda... in fact, I've been told it is difficult to overdose the baking soda. One thing in its use .... add about half a lb. mixed in pond water every other day. :) Nedra http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pines/4836 http://community.webshots.com/user/nedra118 "Hal" wrote in message ... On 31 Mar 2004 14:14:16 -0800, (NewbieBill) wrote: It appears to be bass ackwards. As far as I can tell from my narrow range on the scale it was once again 8.8+ at 10 am and 7.8/8 at 3 pm. Would water hardness (which I can't currently measure) make any sense of this. I would guess our water is a little hard, but not sure. There are two hardness measurements GH or general hardness is usually a reading of calcium and magnesium. KH or carbonate hardness measures the buffering agent in the water that keeps the pH from wild swings. Plants use sunlight and carbon dioxide to make food and release oxygen during the day, but oxygen is used at night when the sun isn't shining and carbon dioxide is released into the pond making carbonic acid, which lowers the pH reading at night or early in the morning. Before you use a pH down agent check the KH, or try baking soda first if the pH is too high. Baking soda, sodium bicarbonate, is a great pH buffer. http://srac.tamu.edu/464fs.pdf http://www.drhelm.com/aquarium/chemistry.html Regards, Hal |
High Ph
Hi NewbieBill,
So far I've had to adjust my pH/KH every spring in my lilypond. I do this after clean out before the frogs start spawning and I've removed all fish. I think my post starts with Algae a few days back, regarding this. Anyway, I agree, it is a balancing thing. Treat what's causing the rise by adding muriatic acid, about 1 cup/1,000 gallons and let it sit for a few days, if the pH comes back up add another cup, if not, add Baking soda to bring the pH back up and put the buffer back in. (Remove any critters before doing this.) Then monitor thereafter. ~ jan See my ponds and filter design: http://users.owt.com/jjspond/ ~Keep 'em Wet!~ Tri-Cities WA Zone 7a To e-mail see website On 30 Mar 2004 20:36:49 -0800, (NewbieBill) wrote: I will probably be posting regularly for a while untill not only my pond is in balance but my understanding of it all:) I have been bringing this pond back to life for the first time, for me. I am in sunny Austin, Texas. I felt like I was making excellent progress with the 'health' of my pond till the last 3 or 4 days. Since then I have noticed String Algae developing (water is clear) and my ph rising steadily. Ammonia, Nitrates are at 0, Nitrates minimal if any. Don't have a hardness test. While I haven't been testing it very long I felt like my ph WAS normally around 8/8.2, apparently about the norm around here. Now I am getting readings at bottom of my chart which only goes to 8.8 and I suspect my color is higher than that. I may have done (at least) 2 things wrong. Most of my numerous plants and lillies have only been there a few weeks. When I potted them I did use a topsoil mix which had no vermiculite, fertilizer etc. but was somewhat loamy, sandwiched top and bottom by pea gravel. Perhaps no coincidence 2 days after building a little in-pond stack of river rocks and Moss Boulder to create a simulated waterfall splash (from my outflow pipe) I noticed my ph rising (also so did the temperatures and sunlight). I have been using the same material to raise my pots. So I guess this post I am soliciting advice as to a direction to attack first. Most likely the rocks, soil or other things. My first 'bloom' I really panicked and I don't want to repot all my plants, put them on what and take away my waterfall, if this is just a balancing thing that requires smaller adjustments. Thanxx - Bill |
High Ph
Hi NewbieBill,
So far I've had to adjust my pH/KH every spring in my lilypond. I do this after clean out before the frogs start spawning and I've removed all fish. I think my post starts with Algae a few days back, regarding this. Anyway, I agree, it is a balancing thing. Treat what's causing the rise by adding muriatic acid, about 1 cup/1,000 gallons and let it sit for a few days, if the pH comes back up add another cup, if not, add Baking soda to bring the pH back up and put the buffer back in. (Remove any critters before doing this.) Then monitor thereafter. ~ jan See my ponds and filter design: http://users.owt.com/jjspond/ ~Keep 'em Wet!~ Tri-Cities WA Zone 7a To e-mail see website On 30 Mar 2004 20:36:49 -0800, (NewbieBill) wrote: I will probably be posting regularly for a while untill not only my pond is in balance but my understanding of it all:) I have been bringing this pond back to life for the first time, for me. I am in sunny Austin, Texas. I felt like I was making excellent progress with the 'health' of my pond till the last 3 or 4 days. Since then I have noticed String Algae developing (water is clear) and my ph rising steadily. Ammonia, Nitrates are at 0, Nitrates minimal if any. Don't have a hardness test. While I haven't been testing it very long I felt like my ph WAS normally around 8/8.2, apparently about the norm around here. Now I am getting readings at bottom of my chart which only goes to 8.8 and I suspect my color is higher than that. I may have done (at least) 2 things wrong. Most of my numerous plants and lillies have only been there a few weeks. When I potted them I did use a topsoil mix which had no vermiculite, fertilizer etc. but was somewhat loamy, sandwiched top and bottom by pea gravel. Perhaps no coincidence 2 days after building a little in-pond stack of river rocks and Moss Boulder to create a simulated waterfall splash (from my outflow pipe) I noticed my ph rising (also so did the temperatures and sunlight). I have been using the same material to raise my pots. So I guess this post I am soliciting advice as to a direction to attack first. Most likely the rocks, soil or other things. My first 'bloom' I really panicked and I don't want to repot all my plants, put them on what and take away my waterfall, if this is just a balancing thing that requires smaller adjustments. Thanxx - Bill |
High Ph
On Fri, 02 Apr 2004 04:20:13 GMT, "Nedra"
wrote: Hal, KH is less complicated and easy to fix as you state - with baking soda. pH will level out at 8.4 with baking soda... in fact, I've been told it is difficult to overdose the baking soda. One thing in its use .... add about half a lb. mixed in pond water every other day. :) Depending on the size of the pond. Can we compromise with Suggested dose 1/3 pound per 1000 gallons? That will raise KH by 20 ppm. or about 1 degree. You can continue that as many days as necessary to get the pH stable. Regards, Hal |
High Ph
On Fri, 02 Apr 2004 04:20:13 GMT, "Nedra"
wrote: Hal, KH is less complicated and easy to fix as you state - with baking soda. pH will level out at 8.4 with baking soda... in fact, I've been told it is difficult to overdose the baking soda. One thing in its use .... add about half a lb. mixed in pond water every other day. :) Depending on the size of the pond. Can we compromise with Suggested dose 1/3 pound per 1000 gallons? That will raise KH by 20 ppm. or about 1 degree. You can continue that as many days as necessary to get the pH stable. Regards, Hal |
High Ph
On Fri, 02 Apr 2004 15:34:21 GMT, ~ jan JJsPond.us
wrote: So far I've had to adjust my pH/KH every spring in my lilypond. I do this after clean out before the frogs start spawning and I've removed all fish. I think my post starts with Algae a few days back, regarding this. Anyway, I agree, it is a balancing thing. Treat what's causing the rise by adding muriatic acid, about 1 cup/1,000 gallons and let it sit for a few days, if the pH comes back up add another cup, if not, add Baking soda to bring the pH back up and put the buffer back in. (Remove any critters before doing this.) Then monitor thereafter. ~ jan You can do this with critters: pH Down - - Muriatic acid (31% HCl) a dose of approximately 2 fluid ounces per 1000 gallons per day until the pH is about 8.5. I would not lower the pH below 8.5 without also testing KH (alkalinity). Acid directly consumes KH. If KH is lowered below ~100 mg/l, pH will become unstable, and the pH measurements become meaningless. Regards, Hal |
High Ph
On Fri, 02 Apr 2004 15:34:21 GMT, ~ jan JJsPond.us
wrote: So far I've had to adjust my pH/KH every spring in my lilypond. I do this after clean out before the frogs start spawning and I've removed all fish. I think my post starts with Algae a few days back, regarding this. Anyway, I agree, it is a balancing thing. Treat what's causing the rise by adding muriatic acid, about 1 cup/1,000 gallons and let it sit for a few days, if the pH comes back up add another cup, if not, add Baking soda to bring the pH back up and put the buffer back in. (Remove any critters before doing this.) Then monitor thereafter. ~ jan You can do this with critters: pH Down - - Muriatic acid (31% HCl) a dose of approximately 2 fluid ounces per 1000 gallons per day until the pH is about 8.5. I would not lower the pH below 8.5 without also testing KH (alkalinity). Acid directly consumes KH. If KH is lowered below ~100 mg/l, pH will become unstable, and the pH measurements become meaningless. Regards, Hal |
High Ph
Sure we can compromise, Hal... whatever works for you :)
Nedra http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pines/4836 http://community.webshots.com/user/nedra118 "Hal" wrote in message ... On Fri, 02 Apr 2004 04:20:13 GMT, "Nedra" wrote: Hal, KH is less complicated and easy to fix as you state - with baking soda. pH will level out at 8.4 with baking soda... in fact, I've been told it is difficult to overdose the baking soda. One thing in its use .... add about half a lb. mixed in pond water every other day. :) Depending on the size of the pond. Can we compromise with Suggested dose 1/3 pound per 1000 gallons? That will raise KH by 20 ppm. or about 1 degree. You can continue that as many days as necessary to get the pH stable. Regards, Hal |
High Ph
Sure we can compromise, Hal... whatever works for you :)
Nedra http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pines/4836 http://community.webshots.com/user/nedra118 "Hal" wrote in message ... On Fri, 02 Apr 2004 04:20:13 GMT, "Nedra" wrote: Hal, KH is less complicated and easy to fix as you state - with baking soda. pH will level out at 8.4 with baking soda... in fact, I've been told it is difficult to overdose the baking soda. One thing in its use .... add about half a lb. mixed in pond water every other day. :) Depending on the size of the pond. Can we compromise with Suggested dose 1/3 pound per 1000 gallons? That will raise KH by 20 ppm. or about 1 degree. You can continue that as many days as necessary to get the pH stable. Regards, Hal |
High Ph
Okay oh helpers of the pond knowledge infirmed. I bought some strips
today and got a few more guesses at some new numbers. My afternoon ph was once again good - 7.8/8.0. My Alkalinity reading was between 120 and 200 ppm (hard to discern those shades of green). My hardness, as expected is hard I would say about 250 ppm. Ammonia, Nitrates, Nitrites all 0. My morning was once again off the scale at bright violet. My only logical conclusion is stating to be that I am off the scale acidic (which seems worse) and not alkaline. I dont know my color progressions. My scale starts at 7.4 which is kinda harvest gold, moves higher ph to rust brown, dark brown, light magenta, darker magenta. I am using an Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Sal****er test kit. I was told this would measure fine. Sal****er test on fresh will work, but not the other way around. Their freshwater only went up to about 7.4. The new strips I got would tend to confirm that since they do measure Nitrate, Nitrite and ph as the same. Any suggestions? - I am so afraid I am hurting my little fishez, but I am also afraid of trying to adjust when its not called for. My first bloom I panicked and was ready to drain the pond, scrub the bottom and start over. 15 days later (with experienced assurances, with a little algae fix followed by couple of bags of cornmeal my water is clear - yippie . Thanxx Bill Brister - Austin, Texas |
High Ph
Okay oh helpers of the pond knowledge infirmed. I bought some strips
today and got a few more guesses at some new numbers. My afternoon ph was once again good - 7.8/8.0. My Alkalinity reading was between 120 and 200 ppm (hard to discern those shades of green). My hardness, as expected is hard I would say about 250 ppm. Ammonia, Nitrates, Nitrites all 0. My morning was once again off the scale at bright violet. My only logical conclusion is stating to be that I am off the scale acidic (which seems worse) and not alkaline. I dont know my color progressions. My scale starts at 7.4 which is kinda harvest gold, moves higher ph to rust brown, dark brown, light magenta, darker magenta. I am using an Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Sal****er test kit. I was told this would measure fine. Sal****er test on fresh will work, but not the other way around. Their freshwater only went up to about 7.4. The new strips I got would tend to confirm that since they do measure Nitrate, Nitrite and ph as the same. Any suggestions? - I am so afraid I am hurting my little fishez, but I am also afraid of trying to adjust when its not called for. My first bloom I panicked and was ready to drain the pond, scrub the bottom and start over. 15 days later (with experienced assurances, with a little algae fix followed by couple of bags of cornmeal my water is clear - yippie . Thanxx Bill Brister - Austin, Texas |
High Ph
If the pH is high or low, it will become more stable and nearer 8.4 by the
addition of baking soda. When the pH is near 8.0 in the afternoon, add the baking soda. I monitor the KH with the drop type test and if it gets down close to 100, I add about 2 pounds per 1000 gallons. The pH is always stable as long as I keep the KH up. For my ponds with bead filters, I add about 2/3 of a 10 pound box to the large pond and the other 1/3 to the smaller pond, about once every 10 days to 3 weeks, based on testing. -- RichToyBox http://www.geocities.com/richtoybox/pondintro.html "NewbieBill" wrote in message m... Okay oh helpers of the pond knowledge infirmed. I bought some strips today and got a few more guesses at some new numbers. My afternoon ph was once again good - 7.8/8.0. My Alkalinity reading was between 120 and 200 ppm (hard to discern those shades of green). My hardness, as expected is hard I would say about 250 ppm. Ammonia, Nitrates, Nitrites all 0. My morning was once again off the scale at bright violet. My only logical conclusion is stating to be that I am off the scale acidic (which seems worse) and not alkaline. I dont know my color progressions. My scale starts at 7.4 which is kinda harvest gold, moves higher ph to rust brown, dark brown, light magenta, darker magenta. I am using an Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Sal****er test kit. I was told this would measure fine. Sal****er test on fresh will work, but not the other way around. Their freshwater only went up to about 7.4. The new strips I got would tend to confirm that since they do measure Nitrate, Nitrite and ph as the same. Any suggestions? - I am so afraid I am hurting my little fishez, but I am also afraid of trying to adjust when its not called for. My first bloom I panicked and was ready to drain the pond, scrub the bottom and start over. 15 days later (with experienced assurances, with a little algae fix followed by couple of bags of cornmeal my water is clear - yippie . Thanxx Bill Brister - Austin, Texas |
High Ph
If the pH is high or low, it will become more stable and nearer 8.4 by the
addition of baking soda. When the pH is near 8.0 in the afternoon, add the baking soda. I monitor the KH with the drop type test and if it gets down close to 100, I add about 2 pounds per 1000 gallons. The pH is always stable as long as I keep the KH up. For my ponds with bead filters, I add about 2/3 of a 10 pound box to the large pond and the other 1/3 to the smaller pond, about once every 10 days to 3 weeks, based on testing. -- RichToyBox http://www.geocities.com/richtoybox/pondintro.html "NewbieBill" wrote in message m... Okay oh helpers of the pond knowledge infirmed. I bought some strips today and got a few more guesses at some new numbers. My afternoon ph was once again good - 7.8/8.0. My Alkalinity reading was between 120 and 200 ppm (hard to discern those shades of green). My hardness, as expected is hard I would say about 250 ppm. Ammonia, Nitrates, Nitrites all 0. My morning was once again off the scale at bright violet. My only logical conclusion is stating to be that I am off the scale acidic (which seems worse) and not alkaline. I dont know my color progressions. My scale starts at 7.4 which is kinda harvest gold, moves higher ph to rust brown, dark brown, light magenta, darker magenta. I am using an Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Sal****er test kit. I was told this would measure fine. Sal****er test on fresh will work, but not the other way around. Their freshwater only went up to about 7.4. The new strips I got would tend to confirm that since they do measure Nitrate, Nitrite and ph as the same. Any suggestions? - I am so afraid I am hurting my little fishez, but I am also afraid of trying to adjust when its not called for. My first bloom I panicked and was ready to drain the pond, scrub the bottom and start over. 15 days later (with experienced assurances, with a little algae fix followed by couple of bags of cornmeal my water is clear - yippie . Thanxx Bill Brister - Austin, Texas |
High Ph
True, with critters one has to take a different tactic. It's just so much
easier to acidize it (without critters) as it tends to age the leaching components and balance quicker. Otherwise you're having to monitor and measure and mess with it for possibly weeks. At least that was my experience last year. I'd just as soon correct it right off and balance it right away. ~ jan (Do you know where your water quality is?) You can do this with critters: pH Down - - Muriatic acid (31% HCl) a dose of approximately 2 fluid ounces per 1000 gallons per day until the pH is about 8.5. I would not lower the pH below 8.5 without also testing KH (alkalinity). Acid directly consumes KH. If KH is lowered below ~100 mg/l, pH will become unstable, and the pH measurements become meaningless. Regards,Hal On Fri, 02 Apr 2004 15:34:21 GMT, ~ jan JJsPond.us wrote: So far I've had to adjust my pH/KH every spring in my lilypond. I do this after clean out before the frogs start spawning and I've removed all fish. I think my post starts with Algae a few days back, regarding this. Anyway, I agree, it is a balancing thing. Treat what's causing the rise by adding muriatic acid, about 1 cup/1,000 gallons and let it sit for a few days, if the pH comes back up add another cup, if not, add Baking soda to bring the pH back up and put the buffer back in. (Remove any critters before doing this.) Then monitor thereafter. ~ jan |
High Ph
True, with critters one has to take a different tactic. It's just so much
easier to acidize it (without critters) as it tends to age the leaching components and balance quicker. Otherwise you're having to monitor and measure and mess with it for possibly weeks. At least that was my experience last year. I'd just as soon correct it right off and balance it right away. ~ jan (Do you know where your water quality is?) You can do this with critters: pH Down - - Muriatic acid (31% HCl) a dose of approximately 2 fluid ounces per 1000 gallons per day until the pH is about 8.5. I would not lower the pH below 8.5 without also testing KH (alkalinity). Acid directly consumes KH. If KH is lowered below ~100 mg/l, pH will become unstable, and the pH measurements become meaningless. Regards,Hal On Fri, 02 Apr 2004 15:34:21 GMT, ~ jan JJsPond.us wrote: So far I've had to adjust my pH/KH every spring in my lilypond. I do this after clean out before the frogs start spawning and I've removed all fish. I think my post starts with Algae a few days back, regarding this. Anyway, I agree, it is a balancing thing. Treat what's causing the rise by adding muriatic acid, about 1 cup/1,000 gallons and let it sit for a few days, if the pH comes back up add another cup, if not, add Baking soda to bring the pH back up and put the buffer back in. (Remove any critters before doing this.) Then monitor thereafter. ~ jan |
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