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Jan 10th, 2023
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 13
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OP
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 13 |
I have a small pond with fish in it- every time I test the pH it's low, about 6.5; and I'm told it should be 7 or a little higher. What's the best way to raise it?
The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit. ~Nelson Henderson
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 8,854 Likes: 1
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent  Lunker
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 8,854 Likes: 1 |
Don't make any decisions without taking reading at various points throughout the day. pH is cyclical based on photosynthetic activity.
Holding a redear sunfish is like running with scissors.
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 101
Ambassador
Field Correspondent Lunker
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Ambassador
Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 101 |
Fish prefer a pH between 6 and 9. One thing you should check in addition to the pH, is alkalinity. As Bruce eluded to, pH has diel fluctuations. pH will be greatest in the late afternoon, and lowest in the early morning. The alkalinity is the measure of negative ions (buffering capacity) in the water, i.e., Bicarbonate and carbonate. The greater the alkalinity, say 20 ppm and greater, the more buffer you have in your water. The buffer keeps the pH from fluctuating from one extreme to another. One way people raise the pH, especially in the south is to add agricultural limestone, which is calcium carbonate. It increases the amount of negative ions, which increases your alkalinity, resulting in an increased pH.
Fisheries Biologist
Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks
"Success is often overlooked because it dresses up in overalls and disguises itself as work."
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 8,854 Likes: 1
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 8,854 Likes: 1 |
Fish prefer a pH between 6 and 9. One thing you should check in addition to the pH, is alkalinity. As Bruce eluded to, pH has diel fluctuations. pH will be greatest in the late afternoon, and lowest in the early morning. The alkalinity is the measure of negative ions (buffering capacity) in the water, i.e., Bicarbonate and carbonate. The greater the alkalinity, say 20 ppm and greater, the more buffer you have in your water. The buffer keeps the pH from fluctuating from one extreme to another. One way people raise the pH, especially in the south is to add agricultural limestone, which is calcium carbonate. It increases the amount of negative ions, which increases your alkalinity, resulting in an increased pH. Yeah, that. 
Holding a redear sunfish is like running with scissors.
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