Pink Sheetrock - 05/03/05 10:13 PM
I have read most of the back topics and have performed some basic tests using my pool chem test kit. The pond is about 1/2 acre but down due to the really dry last 4 months in S OKla. The Red/brown and creamy clay base (it varies across the pond) shows about 3 feet of exposed bank with no grass. The pond is about 18-20 feet deep at normal and about 2 years old. I had to cut a terrace last fall to catch about 5 acres of runoff to top off the pond and now the terrace is mostly vegitated. The pond color is about the color of a 50% watered down cup of coffee with cream. I have a test quart jar that I can see the temp stick through the side, but only about 2" down.
My PH is about 7.6 at 60 degrees F from the evening (no morning test yet). Alkalinity is about 140-150ppm and hardness about 110ppm.
For grins, I bought some hydrated lime and granualized gypsum (brown base) from the ag store. I did multiple pint jars (16 oz) and both cleared the water within minutes at various levels of additive, 1 TBS, 1TSP, 1/2TSP and 1/4 TSP per jar. I tested the 1/4 TSP jars for PH and the Lime was off the chart well in excess of 8.0 while the gypsum about the same, but with tea colored water, yet very clear.
I realize the hydrated lime will kill the fish in more than cursory amounts, and I feel the alkalinity level is sufficient, but could press 200ppm without damage and would like to push it up with some ag lime. Not knowing how high a PH is tolerable, not sure about this.
The pond might have a slight leak but might also be settling. No running rain for months has all ponds locally down. I'm concerned that the gypsum might "loosen" the clays, hence adding some lime first even if not clearing the water enough to coagulate the clays, drop them and form a layer on the bed so to speak before adding sheetrock.
I have a friend who builds houses and have just dropped a trailer for him to load up drop-offs, when I noticed the gypsum is pink in color between the paper layers. I've just looked on the net to see it "normal". I've also just done some jars to see how it works on a quick basis with no results yet. Before I had the crew load the trailer, I thought I'd post here to see if the pink was a bad deal or not.
I suspect it OK, just curious. We're asking the lumber yard, but in typical form, they just have not idea.
Please offer any comments to parts of the post.
Thanks Chris
My PH is about 7.6 at 60 degrees F from the evening (no morning test yet). Alkalinity is about 140-150ppm and hardness about 110ppm.
For grins, I bought some hydrated lime and granualized gypsum (brown base) from the ag store. I did multiple pint jars (16 oz) and both cleared the water within minutes at various levels of additive, 1 TBS, 1TSP, 1/2TSP and 1/4 TSP per jar. I tested the 1/4 TSP jars for PH and the Lime was off the chart well in excess of 8.0 while the gypsum about the same, but with tea colored water, yet very clear.
I realize the hydrated lime will kill the fish in more than cursory amounts, and I feel the alkalinity level is sufficient, but could press 200ppm without damage and would like to push it up with some ag lime. Not knowing how high a PH is tolerable, not sure about this.
The pond might have a slight leak but might also be settling. No running rain for months has all ponds locally down. I'm concerned that the gypsum might "loosen" the clays, hence adding some lime first even if not clearing the water enough to coagulate the clays, drop them and form a layer on the bed so to speak before adding sheetrock.
I have a friend who builds houses and have just dropped a trailer for him to load up drop-offs, when I noticed the gypsum is pink in color between the paper layers. I've just looked on the net to see it "normal". I've also just done some jars to see how it works on a quick basis with no results yet. Before I had the crew load the trailer, I thought I'd post here to see if the pink was a bad deal or not.
I suspect it OK, just curious. We're asking the lumber yard, but in typical form, they just have not idea.
Please offer any comments to parts of the post.
Thanks Chris