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y John OlsonCEO-Graystone IndustriesThank you to Ecological Labs, Eastern Nishikigoi, Industrial TestSystems, Mars FishCare, and Tetra Pond for providing the photos.Those of us in the business understand that in spite of ourbest efforts a customer’s pond paradise may turn into anightmare if they do not perform some basic maintenancetasks. To make sure our customers’ ponds remain awelcome retreat from an otherwise stressful world we educatethem about proper feeding amounts, how to flush the filter orrinse the pads, how to keep away predators, proper circulation,and basic plant and fish care tips.With all the great things we do for our customers thereis one piece of valuable ammo we often fail to arm themwith. A simple water test kit is not only an added sale and aprecursor to additional treatment purchases but it can be thefirst line of defense in a customer’s battle for water quality anda healthy pond.With so very many choices in test kits, parameters tested,and testing procedures available it is no wonder that some pondretailers and installers are reluctant to make a recommendationto their customers.Below we will discuss some of the pond water testsperformed, the types of kits available, and how we can bettereducate our customers on their proper uses.What tests should be regularly performedon a backyard pond or water garden?Over a dozen different tests are routinely done in the watergarden industry in order to ensure the best possible waterquality. With tests measuring everything from Alkalinity toSalinity it can be a bit overwhelming to know which tests areneeded most.Fortunately, most water quality experts agree on a handfulof tests that every industry professional and pond ownershould perform.AMMONIA – Ammonia is formed when fish waste andother organic debris (leaves, grass, dead fish, or frogs, etc) beginto decompose. This decomposition releases toxic Ammoniainto the pond water. A test reading of Zero Ammonia is bestbut not always possible.NITRITE – Nitrifying bacteria work on the Ammoniaand break it down to Nitrite. Nitrite is also highly toxic to yourpond fish and the ideal reading should again be Zero.24 POND Trade Magazinepondtrademag.com
NITRATE – Eventually Nitrite is broken down furtherinto Nitrate which is less toxic to your pond fish although stillbad enough in higher concentrations. Ideal reading would bezero. NOTE: Many industry experts suggest testing for bothNitrite and Nitrate in your pond but others believe testing forNitrite is sufficient.Norm Meck, former presidentand 20-year member of the SanDiego Koi club, feels that testingfor Nitrite is vital due to its hightoxicity and danger to the fish.Nitrate, Norm indicates, is far lesstoxic to pond fish and is alsoreduced when the pond is treatedfor Nitrite.pH – Testing the pH of yourpond is critical according to manyexperts. The ideal pH reading inyour pond is debatable by manybut is often considered to be 7.0 – 7.5 although pH will varythroughout the day.According to Freddie Combas, owner of Florida WaterGardens and veteran pond builder, pH will be lowest in themorning and highest in the evening. Someone who tests theirpond early morning for pH and again in the evening may see ahuge variance in readings. It is important to find an averagereading and not be alarmed by a wide swing in the readingsduring the day.KH – Carbonate Hardness = Total Alkalinity which isdifferent than pH. Carbonate Hardness is the ability of thepond water to stabilize the pH in the system. According toDave Jones, owner of The Pond Professional in Woodstock GA,KH should be at least 100 PPM. Ideal KH readings are between100-200 PPM.PHOSPHATES – Phosphates are usually introduced intoa pond thru fish waste and are a nutrient that algae require toflourish. Algae, like other plants, require many nutrients togrow so the presence of Phosphates alone does not ensure analgae problem is imminent. A reading of Zero PPM is idealalthough many ponds can have much higher concentrationswith no algae issues present.What types of test kits are availableand how do they work?All test kits use a chemical reaction between the samplepond water and a reagent, which causes a color change to showresults. The results are compared to known parameters allowingthe user to obtain an accuratereading. Test kits forponds and water gardensfall into three types.1. Photometers –These handy meters arehighly accurate but oftenexpensive. Readings arevery quick and somemeters can be used formany different tests.Advances in technologybring constant improvementsto available metersbut some experts find thatthe units require frequentrecalibration.2. Liquid Test Kits –Using small vials, the pondowner takes samples of thepond water. Liquidreagents are added to thesamples and a short timelater the water turns color.The color is compared tothe included charts providingan accurate reading ofthe water sample. Liquidkits show a high level ofaccuracy as they give youPhotometer by IndustrialTest Systemsmany points of reference when the color samples are betweenshade points in the charts.3. Dry Test Strips – Test strips are handy and quick. Withthe reagents already applied the strip is dipped in pond waterand a short time later a color shift will occur which is comparedto the provided charts just like in the liquid kits. Test strips areless mess, very easy to use and often include multiple parameterstested for on each strip. They are a great way to let you see ifthe readings are going up or down.January/February 2011POND Trade Magazine25
Page 1 and 2: Serving Professionals in the Garden
Page 3 and 4: Request info at www.pondtrademag.co
Page 5 and 6: V o l u m e 1 6 I s s u e 1January/
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Page 29 and 30: Improve YourBusiness in Less Then20
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Page 45 and 46: Advertisers’ IndexID number for O

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