Ph ?

[marla]

We have some major melting going on and rain. Checked the PH again, the main pond is holding at about 8 (this is down from the norm 8.6-8.8 in the summer), however the lily pond dropped a bit more maybe 7.8. I did see one goldfish swim by quickly in the lily pond but the fish in the main pond were not visible. Do you think I should try raising the PH, I'm not running any filtration only a small bubbling pump (260gph) will the water circulate enough to help and how much of what.....is it baking soda? Or should I just leave it for now and keep an eye on it?

[Jackie Ramo]

Marla, if the pH was 7 or below I'd worry but you are fine. Best to test the Kh which is the buffering that keeps the pH steady.

[Ian]

Do not worry about the PH because it can change in a number of hours depending on what your KH is as Jackie mentions. If your KH is 100ppm then your ph should be fairly stable. Winter time your KH will slowly decline and the buffer is lost leaving the pond prone to a Ph crash. I believe this is what causes more winter kills than cold water. Ice covered ponds with snow can speed this up as algae dies from lack of light. I like 200ppm for winter as a better buffer to keep the ph stable which would require a little bit of baking soda added over a number of days. Best thing is fresh water with a KH of 100ppm or more, not always possible in the nasty part of our winters.

[philly]

Some of us that do water changes on nice days in the winter time would help keep the pond water stable. I usually do a change of about 15% at a time when given the chance, two changes were already done this winter, if these warm days keeps up another water change will be done.

[marla]

I will have to order a KH test, I have some strips that are pretty old and I do not think they are very accurate. As for warm days and water changes I have not had that chance yet this winter, but yes I think that would definately keep the ph better in line. Thanks for the help, I'll keep an eye on it.

[philly]

You can still do a water change as long it's not freezing cold and there is an opening in the ice, just remember to drain the hose when finished so the next time you have to use, it's OK. :yup: