Ph Levels

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pH is the measure of acidity or alkalinity of water and is measured on a scale of 0-14 degrees and includes tenths i.e. 7.8 degrees.

Every 0.1 degree is a ten fold change in acidity/alkalinity, therefore a change from say 7.3 to 8.3 is drastic, and if sudden it is a serious threat to your pond life.

A pH value of 7 is considered neutral, below this is acidic and above 7 is alkaline. Ideally a ponds pH should be between 7.0 and 8.0. Many different makes of PH test kits are available which perform numerous PH tests for around Ł5.

Low pH (below 7.0 - Acidic)

High pH (above 7.0 - Alkaline)

Symptoms

Cause

Remedy

Symptom

Cause

Remedy

Fish have reddened fins, and are more prone to disease.

Plants do not grow well.

Biological filters struggle to control ammonia and nitrites.

pH too low.

Water too soft.

Peat within the pond.

Excessive waste build up.

Regular partial water changes from a source with a higher pH, but not more than a 25% change in any one go.

Add plants and rocks such as tufa.

Ammonia becomes more toxic to all pond life.

Fish gills can be damaged.

Biological filters struggle to control ammonia and nitrites.

Lime scale leaching into water from cement or rocks, this will drastically affect pH.

Regular partial water changes from a source with a lower pH but not more than a 25% change in any one go.

Treat all exposed cement with G4 sealant.

Remove all lose pieces of cement and rocks containing lime.