My new pond near Centerville, Texas is starting to fill up with spring water and I want to know if I should fertilize it later to get plankton growing before adding FHM. I have a cheap JNW test kit but I don't trust the results as the reading are all absolute minimum. Alkalinity shows zero. Is there any place I can send or take samples to be tested?

I think this is your best bet in Texas for a state facility.

TAMU Water Testing Lab

We have several pond management people on the forum that I would prefer over a state lab due to their local expertise and ability to properly analyze the results. I don't know if there is a member like that for your area of Texas?

You might try the state lab first. If you get atypical results, then you can post on Pond Boss and see if you can find a local expert.

Also, you might buy yourself a new test kit. You should run your own tests when you collect the sample for the lab. That way you can calibrate your test kit to the more comprehensive lab tests. If you are treating your pond, you will need the ability to run some accurate tests in the future.

http://soiltesting.tamu.edu/

This is who I used. Very good test for $ 40.00

Take water samples to Overton's hatchery, just north of you, about 30 minutes or so.

Overtons good folks