Another ponder confesses ...

First confession: It's been about a year since I last tested our pond
for anything ... yep, did it once or twice last year with the pool test
kit to check ph and alkalinity. This year I ordered a Tetra pond test
kit from http://www.koivillage.com -- it has tests for ph (salt and
freshwater), nitrite, ammonia, GH and KH. And today I tested the pond water:

pH: 9.5
NO2: 0.3
ammonia: 0
GH: 1.5 dH
KH: 2 dH
CO2: 0,1 (based on a chart analyzing pH and KH)

So, if I'm reading and calculating everything correctly, I have highly
alkaline and soft water. I also have green algae water (2d confession).
Now if I add potash will the pond plants be better able to use the
nutrients in the water which will reduce the algae? Or do I want to add
gypsum, lime, baking soda, or epsom salts? Or a combination of the above?
--
Kathy B, zookeeper
3500gal pond, 13 pond piggies
Oregon, Zone 6

Kathy,

My suggestion would be to add the baking soda. With only 2 dH on the KH,
the filter bacteria are probably mad at you. That is the reason you are
having NO2 and the pH will come down some, and be more steady, morning to
evening. Adding the potash could be helpful in reducing the green, but I
would be more worried about potential pH swings with the low KH. With green
water, the O2 will go up during the day, and the CO2 will go up overnight,
and the fish could become oxygen starved.
--
RichToyBox
http://www.geocities.com/richtoybox/pondintro.html


"zookeeper" wrote in message
...
First confession: It's been about a year since I last tested our pond
for anything ... yep, did it once or twice last year with the pool test
kit to check ph and alkalinity. This year I ordered a Tetra pond test
kit from http://www.koivillage.com -- it has tests for ph (salt and
freshwater), nitrite, ammonia, GH and KH. And today I tested the pond
water:

pH: 9.5
NO2: 0.3
ammonia: 0
GH: 1.5 dH
KH: 2 dH
CO2: 0,1 (based on a chart analyzing pH and KH)

So, if I'm reading and calculating everything correctly, I have highly
alkaline and soft water. I also have green algae water (2d confession).
Now if I add potash will the pond plants be better able to use the
nutrients in the water which will reduce the algae? Or do I want to add
gypsum, lime, baking soda, or epsom salts? Or a combination of the above?
--
Kathy B, zookeeper
3500gal pond, 13 pond piggies
Oregon, Zone 6

RichToyBox wrote:
My suggestion would be to add the baking soda. With only 2 dH on the KH,
the filter bacteria are probably mad at you. That is the reason you are
having NO2 and the pH will come down some, and be more steady, morning to
evening ...

The NO2 measurement is less than 0.3; that is the lowest measurement on
the test -- it doesn't measure 0. The fish don't seem to be oxygen
starved -- they're not at the surface gulping air at any time of the day
or night. I'm just looking for ways to get back to "crystal" water or
something closer to it. I suspect the fish are enjoying the green water;
they're all very healthy, except the whiter ones are slightly yellow
probably from eating the algae from the sides of the pond.

I've added baking soda and will retest the pH and KH later today.
--
zookeeper

Hi Kathy, Rich is right! To increase the KH use 1 cup
of baking soda in a bucket of pond water for
each 1,000 gallons of water. Sprinkle this around your pond.
Only treat 1,000 gallons at a time.
Repeat for 3 or 4 days.

Nedra
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pines/4836
http://community.webshots.com/user/nedra118
"zookeeper" wrote in message
...
First confession: It's been about a year since I last tested our pond
for anything ... yep, did it once or twice last year with the pool test
kit to check ph and alkalinity. This year I ordered a Tetra pond test
kit from http://www.koivillage.com -- it has tests for ph (salt and
freshwater), nitrite, ammonia, GH and KH. And today I tested the pond
water:

pH: 9.5
NO2: 0.3
ammonia: 0
GH: 1.5 dH
KH: 2 dH
CO2: 0,1 (based on a chart analyzing pH and KH)

So, if I'm reading and calculating everything correctly, I have highly
alkaline and soft water. I also have green algae water (2d confession).
Now if I add potash will the pond plants be better able to use the
nutrients in the water which will reduce the algae? Or do I want to add
gypsum, lime, baking soda, or epsom salts? Or a combination of the above?
--
Kathy B, zookeeper
3500gal pond, 13 pond piggies
Oregon, Zone 6

Nedra wrote:
Hi Kathy, Rich is right! To increase the KH use 1 cup
of baking soda in a bucket of pond water for
each 1,000 gallons of water ...

Thanks Nedra, and thanks for the good instructions on how to add the
baking soda. I've added it and will retest later today.
--
zookeeper

snip
"zookeeper" wrote in message
...
First confession: It's been about a year since I last tested our pond
for anything ... yep, did it once or twice last year with the pool test
kit to check ph and alkalinity. This year I ordered a Tetra pond test
kit from http://www.koivillage.com -- it has tests for ph (salt and
freshwater), nitrite, ammonia, GH and KH. And today I tested the pond
water:
snip

I must also make a confession. In the last eighteeen years I havn't tested
my water for anything. If I shout the word "test kit" the fish swim a mile.
I will be honest though I have "added" things to the pond over the
years................. fishfood.

Steve...
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/steve.thomas4/MyPond.html



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