First Water Test

[Jeanie master]

Hi, I finally got my test kit (API Freshwater Master Kit) Pond was filled July 5th this year. 2300 gal. of green water and koi.
I tested at 11:30 this am, overcast and has been for days with rain, temp 74.
First I did Reg. PH and it was 7.6 so I did High PH 8.2
Amonia 0.25, Nitrate and Nitrite both 0.
Concerned about PH. Fish seem well as much as I can see them and are eating.
What i have in the works to improve conditions is an Airmax Koi1 on the way to add air to the shallower, stiller end of the pond. Soon we will be deepening the shallow end and I have a pond sail ordered because this pond baked for two weeks prior to the rain we finally got. Input please!! Ty Jeanie
BTW, if I posted this incorrectly or if there is a better way, please advise.

 

[Meyer Jordan]

A pH of 8.2 is fine. What is important is that it is stable and fluctuates very little (0.5).
Every pond's pH will fluctuate during a 24 hour period. This is normal. The lowest reading will be in the morning at dawn and the highest reading will be in the evening at dusk.

 

[Jeanie master]

A pH of 8.2 is fine. What is important is that it is stable and fluctuates very little (0.5).
Every pond's pH will fluctuate during a 24 hour period. This is normal. The lowest reading will be in the morning at dawn and the highest reading will be in the evening at dusk.

Ty for your input. How soon should I check it again and should you vary the time of day you do your tests or is it better to do it closer to the same time of day?

 

[Mmathis]

No hard and fast rule here, but I would check it at least every other day. The ammonia is WNL for a new start-up. If you were to graph it, you'll see the ammonia rise, followed by the nitrites, followed by the nitrates and each level will start to go down as the next one rises.

 

[Jeanie master]

No hard and fast rule here, but I would check it at least every other day. The ammonia is WNL for a new start-up. If you were to graph it, you'll see the ammonia rise, followed by the nitrites, followed by the nitrates and each level will start to go down as the next one rises.

Ty appreciate the help.

 

[bettasngoldfish]

I would suggest you stop feeding while the pond is maturing (cycling) or at least only feed very lightly. I would also suggest using something to bind the ammonia so it is safe for your fish. I use Prime http://www.seachem.com/prime.php

 

[peter hillman]

A pH of 8.2 is fine. What is important is that it is stable and fluctuates very little (0.5).
Every pond's pH will fluctuate during a 24 hour period. This is normal. The lowest reading will be in the morning at dawn and the highest reading will be in the evening at dusk.

I can only guess something to do with sunlight, photosynthesis?

 

[Meyer Jordan]

Pretty good guess.

 

[MitchM]

Do you have a KH number, Jeani?

 

[Jeanie master]

Do you have a KH number, Jeani?

Sorry, I've been tied up with 30 things past couple of weeks, no I've even forgotten what KH is. How do I test for it?

 

[Jeanie master]

I did a water test today. Ammonia 0.25 (unchanged), pH 8.2 (unchanged), nitrite and nitrate 0.
About a week ago, pond cleared (overnight), no intervention. Algae that was visible on waterfall all but disappeared. Only big change was weather. We had a few days in the 70's vs 90's , lots of rain, much less sun on pond. Lasted about 3 days...then, I think, the koi began routing in my plants, I was in and out of the pond planting and replanting and that stirs up what is in there. Now it seems ?muddy.
Since this started, we added a koi1 airator and a pond sail. Water looks mucky. Here are some pics of clear and now. Fish are fine, just brats!

 

[MitchM]

Sorry, I've been tied up with 30 things past couple of weeks, no I've even forgotten what KH is. How do I test for it?

API makes a separate KH test kit for that.

 

[mgmine]

Ty for your input. How soon should I check it again and should you vary the time of day you do your tests or is it better to do it closer to the same time of day?

I would never check it again. But hey that's just me. Think back on your first test in a year or two and see if it made and difference. Keep in mind that this is not a swimming pool but a hole in the ground with fish and plants. Both of those do fine in nature so don't try to over think things. IMHO testing just makes you do things that you shouldn't do to your pond.

 

[Jeanie master]

I would never check it again. But hey that's just me. Think back on your first test in a year or two and see if it made and difference. Keep in mind that this is not a swimming pool but a hole in the ground with fish and plants. Both of those do fine in nature so don't try to over think things. IMHO testing just makes you do things that you shouldn't do to your pond.

Sounds kinda good to me...I also know that many will disagree...

 

[Lisak1]

We don't test our water anymore. We did in the beginning - my husband was an old aquarium guy and had a hard time getting past the need to test - but soon enough realized that nothing ever changed. Once things got settled, it got kind of boring.

I would, however, recommend testing a newly established pond. It's a good way to learn how things are working as you are getting to know your system.