My pond ph is getting a bit high - it's at 8 now. I like doing things as naturally as possible, my thought was to change out some water and put tap water in. (which is at a 6.5ph and well water) My only concern is changing the level too quickly for the fish to adapt. any suggestions? or will it be fine, given the cool temp right now?
Thanks!!
PH level at 8 - need a little advice
It will be fine to change water...
You know you must use a de-chlorinator when adding tap water, right? You can buy it at any pet or pond store. Follow directions according to how much tap water you're adding.
Brenda
Woops, forgot that....
I am on well water...
Shoot, my ph has been running around that for several years now and my fish just thrive.
Honestly, being a farmer and all I don't understand what Ph does. I know but I dont think it makes that huge of a difference IMHO
pH is the measure of the degree of acidity or alkilinity on a scale of ten. In other words a pH of 7.1 is ten time more alkiline than 7.0. From what I've read koi easily handle pH in the range of 6.8 to 8.2. What harms all fish, including koi, is a rapid change of pH. Rapid is defined as an over .2 change in less than a twenty-four hour period. Like going from 8.0 to 7.5 in a day. The water would be 50 times more acid. Big overnight Ph swings in heavily planted ponds from plant photosynthesis and plant respiration are notorius for causing a pH "crash", a drastic drop. Long story short I think you're fine as is. If you change out some water to keep the pH within the ideal range just do it slowly.
You said your tap water was well water. If there is any chance it could contain heavy metals use a dechlorinator. Although you probably don't need to remove any chlorine a good dechlorinator will also neutralize some heavy metals. I recommend a product like the one in the link below. The link is only for informational purposes. I've never used that company, although I have used the product.
Now, could we please have some spring? We are supposed to get 6" or better of snow tomorrow. Sheesh!
Thanks to everyone for the advice.
Snapple45 a couple days late - I had already changed out some water. Wound up changing it from the 8 to 7.5 - after reading your note I'm a little scared - my koi seem to be doing ok, it's been 2days since the water change. How soon would I know if I totally goofed? Arrggghh :-( Cross my fingers - I guess.
Thanks again!
DC
I think you are probably past the window of an adverse event. The stress of an abrupt pH change is usually evident within 24 hours to 7 days depending on the amount of change. While not ideal, a .5 change obviously isn't as bad as a drop from 8 to 7. If the koi are otherwise not under any other stressors than all will most likely be well. If you see anything it would be in a reduction of the slime coat, making the fish more vulnerable to bacterial infections. If you do see something add salt to .01. Salt will help with osmoregulation while the fish rebuild their slime coat. (Some keep their ponds at a .01 salt level all the time.) Otherwise I'd just make sure not to do anything else with the pond water for a while. Do future changes a little at a time, more frequently. Relax! As fish go koi are at the top end of the hardy list when it comes to this kind of stuff.
Snapple45
Thanks again!!
I currently have my pond at .008 salt and was going to up it to the .01 but should I wait a while or would adding salt not add to the stress?
DC
Salt!!! It's a stress reducer.
Thank you so much!!
I will do it today!
DC
Devonee
My pond runs consistently 9, I have done all kinds of things to it in the last 4 years and finally I gave up. I live in SW MO and we have so much limestone it is really hard to keep it down. I asked the lady at the Koi store what I should do and she says don't worry about it, almost everyone in this area has around 9 PH and as long as I don't have serious drops or rises, leave it alone. It is not the consistent level that gets our fish, it's the rapid change. You do have to watch your other levels (nitrate, ammonia & nitrite) closer but other than that, I leave my PH alone.