Even if the water looks clear, regularly testing your pond water is something we all should be doing. How "regular" depends on the condition of the pond—if you have a heavy fish load or lack a filtration system, you may want to test more often. At Dreamscapes, we prefer to test our outdoor display ponds monthly but the indoor retail tanks every other day during the season. If you notice something out of normal, such as the fish acting different or getting sick, we recommend testing it weekly. Similarly, when the bacteria colonies are just waking up in the spring and you start feeding fish, we recommend testing the pond often for ammonia and nitrites.
What to Test For?
Ammonia – Ultimately, we want to aim for ZERO ammonia because ammonia is INCREDIBLY toxic to fish. In a properly cycled and balanced pond, this is not hard to do. In an overstocked pond, or an under-filtered one, you can easily see elevated ammonia levels. This is caused by the waste produced by the fish (and other critters like birds and frogs), as well as, leaves decomposing in the water.
pH- Most pond owners look for a pH of about 7.0 – 8.0 but here at Dreamscapes Watergardens, we tend to run at around a 9.0. Koi generally like a higher pH. The most important thing to note is that while 7.5 and 9.0 are both healthy, a swing in pH can most certainly shock and harm a fish. Thus it is important to acclimate fish properly no matter where you buy them or adopt them from.
Nitrite – Less toxic than ammonia, but still very toxic, we want our nitrite levels to be ZERO. Nitrite is the second stage of the nitrogen cycle and is the result of ammonia being broken down. In the spring, nitrite poisoning can be common if the conversions are not working properly.
pH- Most pond owners look for a pH of about 7.0 – 8.0 but here at Dreamscapes Watergardens, we tend to run at around a 9.0. Koi generally like a higher pH. The most important thing to note is that while 7.5 and 9.0 are both healthy, a swing in pH can most certainly shock and harm a fish. Thus it is important to acclimate fish properly no matter where you buy them or adopt them from.
Nitrite – Less toxic than ammonia, but still very toxic, we want our nitrite levels to be ZERO. Nitrite is the second stage of the nitrogen cycle and is the result of ammonia being broken down. In the spring, nitrite poisoning can be common if the conversions are not working properly.
Infrequently Tested:
Temperature – Temperature can affect what levels of ammonia become toxic, as well as respiration and metabolism in your fish. Koi typically can tolerate a broad range of temperatures, from iced over ponds to 90F and we find they typically do well in ponds that stay under 80F in the summer. The warmer the water is, the more need there will be to oxygenate the water as well. The temperature of the pond is also important to know when it comes to feeding the appropriate food to your fish.
Hardness – Koi do better in hard water because of the relation of salt within their bodies to the dissolved salts in the pond. Hard water allows koi to ease up on osmoregulation, and therefore reduce stress on your fish.
Phosphate – Another fertilizer for algae in your pond, its not uncommon to see it introduced from private wells. If algae is a problem, and all other things have been considered (water changes, feeding, filtration), we look at phosphates as a potential source for algae to grow from.
Copper – Generally only tested if you used a copper based medication or if you are currently using the Aquascape Ion Gen system. Copper at excessive levels will inhibit plant growth and can damage the skin and gills on your fish. If you notice your fish acting funky or even dying while the other levels are fine, test for copper and check your Iongen. Your Iongen should ONLY BE TURNED ON if string algae is present. If string algae is not present (such as in the spring) unnecessary Copper is released into the water and not absorbed.
Hardness – Koi do better in hard water because of the relation of salt within their bodies to the dissolved salts in the pond. Hard water allows koi to ease up on osmoregulation, and therefore reduce stress on your fish.
Phosphate – Another fertilizer for algae in your pond, its not uncommon to see it introduced from private wells. If algae is a problem, and all other things have been considered (water changes, feeding, filtration), we look at phosphates as a potential source for algae to grow from.
Copper – Generally only tested if you used a copper based medication or if you are currently using the Aquascape Ion Gen system. Copper at excessive levels will inhibit plant growth and can damage the skin and gills on your fish. If you notice your fish acting funky or even dying while the other levels are fine, test for copper and check your Iongen. Your Iongen should ONLY BE TURNED ON if string algae is present. If string algae is not present (such as in the spring) unnecessary Copper is released into the water and not absorbed.
So Now What???
For the safety of your fish, Dreamscapes performs FREE WATER TESTS during regular business hours for customers. Located in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, Dreamscapes Watergardens installs koi fish ponds and pondless waterfalls (disappearing waterfalls) all over the Central Pennsylvania area. For more information on koi ponds, waterfalls, POOL WATERFALLS or fountain waterfeature installations, please contact us directly!
Dreamscapes also carries a full line of pond supplies from water treatments and fish medications to pond pumps, heaters, fountains, plants and fish! Tadpoles and snails are also available at our Aquatic Retail Center in Lebanon, Pennsylvania seasonally while supplies last from May-August. If you think you need it, we have it!
Retail Hours: April 5th-October 27th 2018:
Monday-Wednesday: By Appt
Thursday-Friday: 10am-5pm
Saturday: 9am-12pm
October 28th-April 2019: HOURS BY APPT
Contact Us
2155 State Route 343, Lebanon Pa | 717-272-6555 | [email protected]
Dreamscapes Watergardens services the city of Lebanon, Lancaster, Harrisburg, Mechanicsburg, Camp Hill, Cleona, Cornwall, Fredericksburg, Indiantown Gap, Jonestown, Kleinfeltersville, Mount Gretna, Myerstown, Newmanstown Palmyra, Quentin, Reistville, Richland, Schaefferstown of Pennsylvania, PA
Dreamscapes also carries a full line of pond supplies from water treatments and fish medications to pond pumps, heaters, fountains, plants and fish! Tadpoles and snails are also available at our Aquatic Retail Center in Lebanon, Pennsylvania seasonally while supplies last from May-August. If you think you need it, we have it!
Retail Hours: April 5th-October 27th 2018:
Monday-Wednesday: By Appt
Thursday-Friday: 10am-5pm
Saturday: 9am-12pm
October 28th-April 2019: HOURS BY APPT
Contact Us
2155 State Route 343, Lebanon Pa | 717-272-6555 | [email protected]
Dreamscapes Watergardens services the city of Lebanon, Lancaster, Harrisburg, Mechanicsburg, Camp Hill, Cleona, Cornwall, Fredericksburg, Indiantown Gap, Jonestown, Kleinfeltersville, Mount Gretna, Myerstown, Newmanstown Palmyra, Quentin, Reistville, Richland, Schaefferstown of Pennsylvania, PA
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