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