pH Acidity

 

What is pH?

pH is the measure of the acidity or alkalinity of the water in your pond. The pH scale runs from 1 to 14. Very acid water is pH 1, and very alkaline water is pH 14. Neutral water that is neither acid nor alkaline is pH 7.

Why test for pH?

Pond fish prefer the pH of the water to be between 7 and 8. Fluctuations outside these values can cause stress to the fish. If the water becomes too acid or alkaline, the fish soon die. It is important to regularly test the pH, as new ponds can occasionally rise in pH, and older ponds tend to acidify over time. Also, check the pH in the morning and evening as daily fluctuations are common, especially in heavily planted or algae-infested ponds.

What is the correct level in my pond?

There is no definitive correct pH for pond fish, although the ideal values lie between 7 and 8. In a healthy pond, the water pH will be the same as that of the tap water (or spring water etc) that fills the pond. It is important to ensure the pH is a constant value. Fish in water with an unstable pH rapidly become very ill.

What do I do if the level is wrong?

pH adjusters such as Mr Fish Survival Booster will raise or lower the pH, respectively. If you do need to adjust the pH of your pond, it is vital to do this slowly so as not to shock the fish. Change no more than 0.5pH units per 2 days. Providing your tap water is of suitable pH substantial water changes can correct a dangerous pH level. It is also important to check the KH of your pond water.

How do I do test?

Ensure the test tube is clean. Take a 5 ml sample of pond water into the test tube, add 5 drops of pH 4-10 reagent, replace the test tube cap and mix. Compare the colour of your sample to the colour scale provided.