Description

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 do I do if the level is wrong? 

pH adjusters such as Koi Care KH Buffer Up 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 0.5 pH 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 pondwater.