| An apple a day keeps the doctor away. No doubt, | | | | treatment neutralizes the alkaline substances. Vinegar |
| you've heard this cliché at least once before. | | | | is cheap and works well in larger ponds. Using vinegar |
| Well, when it comes to your pond, a monthly test | | | | in small or medium ponds can be dangerous to fish |
| keeps your pond at its best! Testing water quality in | | | | and should be dealt with in small amounts. Both |
| your pond is not only a learning process but it is also | | | | products work at a slow rate to keep aquatic life |
| vital in keeping a balanced ecosystem, and maintaining | | | | healthy. pH should be tested in the morning to attain |
| water stability. But what is the simplest way to test | | | | accurate results. |
| pond water? What do I test for? How often should I | | | | 3. Nitrite: an oxidized ion of Nitrogen. Too much Nitrite |
| test? How do I to fix any imbalance I might | | | | can be harmful to fish. The reason is because Nitrite |
| discover? Testing water isn't as complicated as it | | | | is absorbed in the blood, reducing its ability to |
| seems. It's hardly rocket science. All you need is the | | | | transport Oxygen around the body. It can potentially |
| basics. | | | | cause ulcers or even suffocate fish from a lack of |
| First, how do I test the water in my pond? This, | | | | Oxygen. |
| perhaps, is the simplest question to answer when it | | | | How to fix Nitrite imbalance: Nitrite levels should |
| comes to water testing. There are easy, ready-made | | | | ideally be below .8mg/l but can be allowed to |
| test kits available. It is better to buy an all-in-one | | | | fluctuate to 1.5mg/l. If Nitrite is above this level a |
| water test kit than to buy many separate ones. The | | | | 20% water change is crucial. Be sure to add a |
| all-in-one is more convenient and covers all necessary | | | | dechlorinator every time a water change is carried |
| factors in your pond that needs testing. Buying single | | | | out. Monitor Nitrite levels carefully for the next couple |
| test kits, one at a time, can become expensive. | | | | weeks to be it remains balanced. |
| What do I need to test my pond for? There are six | | | | 4. Oxygen: element needed to sustain life. Like any |
| main parameters that need testing: Ammonia, pH, | | | | living thing, fish need oxygen to survive. If your pond |
| Nitrite, Oxygen, Carbonate Hardness, and General | | | | has a lack of the sufficient amount of Oxygen |
| Hardness. I will break down what each of these | | | | needed, fish can be more susceptible to disease or |
| parameters are, why testing for them is necessary, | | | | may even suffocate. |
| and how to fix any imbalance. | | | | How to fix Oxygen imbalance: Hot weather is the |
| 1. Ammonia: a gas that is highly alkaline (toxic) in | | | | most crucial time to test Oxygen levels in your pond. |
| water solutions. It is caused by fish waste, debris, or | | | | If the Oxygen is low there are a couple of simple |
| other organic decaying matter. Ammonia should be | | | | solutions. Aerators can be used, or aquatic plants can |
| kept at a level of zero. The best way to prevent | | | | be added. Oxygenating plants such as Anachorus or |
| high spikes of Ammonia is to limit the amount of | | | | Hornwort work especially well. A larger pump may |
| food fed to your fish. The less processed food they | | | | also increase pond aeration. Even additional fountains |
| eat, the less toxic waste the fish produce, something | | | | or spitters could help-anything to help move and |
| I'm sure we're all familiar with. This alone will help | | | | splash water. |
| keep the Ammonia level down. | | | | 5. Carbonate Hardness: the Carbonate and |
| How to fix Ammonia imbalance: The best solution for | | | | Bicarbonate content. pH and KH (Carbonate |
| high Ammonia spikes is a sufficient water change of | | | | Hardness) affect each other. The higher the KH level, |
| 25%-40%. Once you've conducted a water change | | | | the higher the pH level rises and visa versa. As you |
| make sure to add dechlorinator to rid the pond of | | | | know pH also affects Ammonia levels. |
| any Chlorine and Chloramines. Also, check to see that | | | | 6. General Hardness (GH): a measure of dissolved |
| the Biological filter is clean. Rinsing the filter media in a | | | | Calcium and Magnesium salt. The salt influences the |
| bucket of pond, NOT tap water, works best. Monitor | | | | metabolism of any aquatic life and should be tested |
| the Ammonia levels over the next few weeks. | | | | to ensure healthy fish. |
| 2. pH: defined as the potential of Hydrogen. pH is the | | | | How to fix Carbonate and General Hardness |
| measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution. pH | | | | imbalance: If pond water test results reveal |
| and Ammonia go hand-in-hand. If pH levels are to low | | | | excessive hardness a softener can be used a |
| (below 7) then results could be deadly. pH scales | | | | reducer. Rainwater, or distilled water work as well. |
| form 1-14, 7 being neutral. Ideal levels should be | | | | These six parameters are the basic factors that |
| between 7.0 and 8.0 | | | | need testing in any pond. Chlorine, Chloramines, and |
| How to fix pH imbalance: If your pH is low (under 7) | | | | Copper (if running water through copper pipes) can |
| a pH increaser will be necessary. It is a treatment | | | | be tested for also, but are typically not necessary. |
| that will raise the pH level in your pond by neutralizing | | | | Temperature should be regulated. An ideal |
| acidic substances. Baking Soda can be used to up pH | | | | temperature for a Koi pond is between 65° |
| but it does not last. If your pH is high (typically above | | | | -75°F. However, in extreme conditions 35° |
| 8) a pH reducing treatment can be used. This | | | | -85°F is acceptable. |