What Are The Ideal Pond Water Parameters?

Testing pH

When testing your pond’s pH level, be sure to test it twice on the same day. Once first thing in the morning and once late in the day. Preferably evening and preferably during similar weather conditions.

Why do you need to test the pH in your pond twice?

The reason for testing twice is the algae that will be lurking in your pond. Algae is only active during daylight hours. When it is active, it absorbs large amounts of carbon dioxide found in your pond. Causing your pH to read high. If your pH level looks a bit too high or low, you need to gradually bring it back down, you can do this by using Pond Equaliser.

What is the ideal pond water pH?

It is crucial to keep your pH as neutral as possible, between 7.5 pH and 8.5 pH. High alkaline levels in the water will increase the toxicity of any ammonia that exists in your pond. Leading to the possibility of Ammonia poisoning.

What are KH Levels?

KH is the measure of carbonate hardness in your pond. Carbonate hardness is the amount of calcium carbonate in your pond. Calcium carbonates are very important. They feed the nitrifying bacteria that remove harmful ammonia and nitrates from your pond water. These bacteria are part of your pond’s bio-filter.

Without this, your pond would be highly threatened and rely heavily on your mechanical filtration system. KH levels should be around 125ppm but they can fluctuate safely by about 20ppm either way.

Unfortunately, as with low pH and oxygen levels, the effects of low KH levels can’t be seen by the eye. You may notice that the condition of your pond will deteriorate, Ammonia and Nitrate levels will rise and your pond will become more susceptible to pH swings which will ultimately lead to a pH crash!

Ammonia, Nitrites and Nitrates

Ammonia is released into your pond when your fish excrete waste. The nitrifying bacteria fed by calcium carbonate then break down the ammonia and turn it into Nitrite. Nitrite is then broken down further, to its final state, Nitrate. Nitrate is the final by-product of Ammonia. All three of these can be dangerous to your fish and should be monitored carefully.

Why should I remove Ammonia from my pond?

Ideally, you should remove any Ammonia in your pond to avoid damaging your fish or breaking down further. Ammonia can cause Ammonia poisoning that can lead to death. Nitrites and Nitrates are not as dangerous. However, if your fish already have Ammonia poisoning they will be weak and susceptible to the irreversible effects of Nitrates.

Ammonia levels should be kept as low as possible. Ideally at 0ppm but they can be okay at 0.5ppm if your pH level is neutral. Remember, the higher your pH, the more toxic Ammonia becomes so it is best practice to keep the level low. Likewise, Nitrites should be kept as low as possible, less than 0.5 ppm, but ideally at zero. Finally, Nitrate levels should be below 25 ppm.

Phosphate Levels

Phosphate can be present in pond water in many forms. One of them may be soil in planting containers before aquatic plants are planted into the pond, as there are fertilisers in the soil prior to planting to help them grow. Another reason may be tap water that is used to fill up the pond. Phosphate levels are generally quite high in tap water these days to help stop water pipes from corroding.

Does fish food increase phosphate levels?

The other major source is fish food. Fish food contains phosphates, it is an essential part of a fish’s diet. Large amounts of the phosphate will pass through fish and be released as fish waste into your pond.

High Phosphate levels are a major cause of green water and blanket weed in a pond. If phosphate levels are kept low, algae growth will be limited within a pond.