How to maintain a steady PH

[ryancanulla]

Hi I am new to koin ponds (been a saltwater guy for a long time though). How does one maintain a steady PH? I assume it means maintaining a more steady Alkalinity. I have an Ultima II, UV, and bio-ball filters running on a 1000 gallon kid pool in my garage (i inherited the pond). My PH seems low and I've read about using crushed coral to maintain PH. Any thoughts/advise?

 

[sissy]

simple bags of crushed oyster shells from tractor supply about 10 dollars for a big bag .They are used to make eggs shells harder not sure how coral works .Baking soda to raise it .

 

[ryancanulla]

Thanks. How should I add them to the pond? In a netted bag, just toss them in? How much should I add incrementally?

 

[sissy]

Crushed oyster shells I get fine mesh bags and put it in them and into the filter or where ever there is moving water .I get fine mesh laundry bags at the dollar store 3 for a dollar usually green or blue .

 

[ryancanulla]

Around how much should I add? Do I change it out after a certain amount of time?

 

[sissy]

add as much as i can and it will slowly disolve away and then you replace .I have never worried about adding to much .

 

[ryancanulla]

Okay thanks!

 

[addy1]

I add about 100 lbs every year to my bog, keeps the hardness in a good range, keeps the ph stable.

Just make sure it is where the water is moving.

 

[ryancanulla]

@addy - how many gallons is your bog?

 

[addy1]

@addy - how many gallons is your bog?

The bog is around 2000 gallons if it was just water, the crushed shells are added there for the pond, I have the best water movement in the bog, constant moving water.

 

[buckry]

I had about a 1/4 of a bag of crushed shells left tonight after checking my filters and I just dumped it onto the floor of the pond. The koi went crazy moving it around. It went from all being in a 12" or so area to spread evenly around probably 4 or 5'. I found that really funny, and I hope they enjoyed it as much as it looked like they did.