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This morning I checked the levels
in my 2900 gal. pond. I do have about 8 fish in the pond (koi
& goldfish). The pond is new, about 3 weeks old, and all levels
checked out good except the ph level. The ammonia was at 0,
the nitrite and nitrate were also at 0. The salt levels were
also good (I have plants in the pond). The ph level reading,
according to the test chart, was between 8.4 - 8.8. Any suggestions
on lowering the ph levels naturally. Also I've read about
the benefits of installing a UV Bio-filter...any recommendations
and info on this product would be greatly appreciated. Also
where can I get replacement test tubes with caps for the chemical
test kits?
Interesting. It would be worthwhile to know the pH of your
source water. If you are operating on Chicago water, usual
pH is about 7.8 due to the treatments necessary to remove
the taste of the algaecides they need to use due to zebra
mussel filtering of lake water.
You have a new pond, and minerals clinging to your rocks at
installation may be responsible for your high pH. If your
source water has a lower pH on a consistant basis than your
pond water, then a series of water changes over the next few
weeks and some patience as your pond matures should solve
your problem. I'd advise against chemical fixes. They cause
rapid changes in pH which can stress your fish and your developing
biofilter. Remember, it will take six to eight weeks at water
temps of 60 or above to allow your biological filtration to
come online. Feed sparingly, and only with low-protein foods
during this period, and never when the water is less than
55 degrees F.
Test tubes can be got cheap from American Science and Surplus
on Roosevelt Rd. just east of Geneva, IL, although you'll
probably have to mark the 2.5cc and 5cc levels yourself. Pre-marked
cuvettes can be had from Aquatic Ecosystems (www.aquaticeco.com).
(Answer courtesy Bob Passovoy)
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