Pond Boss Magazine
https://www.pondboss.com/images/userfiles/image/20130301193901_6_150by50orangewhyshouldsubscribejpeg.jpg
Advertisment
Newest Members
Shotgun01, Dan H, Stipker, LunkerHunt23, Jeanjules
18,451 Registered Users
Forum Statistics
Forums36
Topics40,902
Posts557,113
Members18,452
Most Online3,612
Jan 10th, 2023
Top Posters
esshup 28,418
ewest 21,475
Cecil Baird1 20,043
Bill Cody 15,112
Who's Online Now
4 members (teehjaeh57, Bobbss, esshup, Boondoggle), 754 guests, and 189 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,418
Likes: 794
esshup Online Content OP
Moderator
Ambassador
Field Correspondent
Lunker
OP Online Content
Moderator
Ambassador
Field Correspondent
Lunker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,418
Likes: 794
and how they apply to different facets of pondmeistering.

This year one of my goals is to get a firm grasp on all the different things that affect water quality in ponds, what to test for, and what can be done to adjust those test numbers.

I have a short list so far, would someone that has a better understanding than I do chime in?

Here's where I think I need to check, and where the numbers should fall:

Dissolved Oxygen - minimum 5 ppm to saturation.
Alkalinity - >50mg/L to 150mg/L
Total Hardness - >20
Calcim - 25 ppm to 75 ppm
Iron - <0.30 ppm
Magnesium - 5 ppm to 25 ppm
Phosphorous - 0.005mg/L - 0.05mg/L
Copper - 0.005ppm to 0.01ppm
pH - 5.5-8.5
Nitrogen - ?-?
Conductivity - 250-750
Turbidity (Secchi Disk) - 18" to 24"

What else am I forgetting, and are those ranges correct?


www.hoosierpondpros.com


http://www.pondboss.com/subscribe.asp?c=4
3/4 to 1 1/4 ac pond LMB, SMB, PS, BG, RES, CC, YP, Bardello BG, (RBT & Blue Tilapia - seasonal).
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 20,043
Likes: 1
Hall of Fame
Lunker
Offline
Hall of Fame
Lunker
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 20,043
Likes: 1
I've seen the maximum of 150 mg/l on alkalinity. Mine is 350 with no problems. Better to have too high of alkalinity than too low.

Last edited by Cecil Baird1; 02/03/13 05:57 AM.

If pigs could fly bacon would be harder to come by and there would be a lot of damaged trees.






Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 153
M
Offline
M
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 153
Can the time,and type of day, affect the readings? Example: After 1" of rain would I expect to wait a day or two to let the pond stabilize or just take the reading 12" below surface in the center of the pond?



My momma never accused me of being to smart....
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 969
T
Lunker
Offline
Lunker
T
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 969
Time of day does make a difference especially on PH. Also if sample was a true sample of the entire water column or a top or bottom sample. A top 12 inch sample for nitrates in warm water on sunny days will test lower due to planktonic and FA uptake or bottom water may be higher with decomposition and or decayiing OM. Nitrates less than .05 ppm help keep growth to a minimum.I prefer Ortho P levels less than .01 ppm but get samples that can be as high as .34 Kevin Ripp from AquaFix has a great article on nutrient management in the Nov/Dec 2012 Pond Boss Mag starting on page 22. Check it out

Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,475
Likes: 264
E
Moderator
Hall of Fame 2014
Lunker
Offline
Moderator
Hall of Fame 2014
Lunker
E
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,475
Likes: 264
See this for hardness -
https://srac.tamu.edu/index.cfm/event/getFactSheet/whichfactsheet/112/

See Chapter 3 Physiochemical Characteristics of Ponds in the new book Small Impoundment Management in North America. Claude Boyd is a master of explaining the subject - the best I have read.


Last edited by ewest; 02/03/13 09:13 AM.















Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,418
Likes: 794
esshup Online Content OP
Moderator
Ambassador
Field Correspondent
Lunker
OP Online Content
Moderator
Ambassador
Field Correspondent
Lunker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,418
Likes: 794
Thanks guys.

Eric, I closed the cover at page 181 last night. It is a great book! Maybe Bob could add it to the store, or could you post a link to were someone could purchase it?

Is there anything else that I should be testing for during the normal pond water test?

Ted, thanks. I save my magazines and I'll go back and re-read the article.


www.hoosierpondpros.com


http://www.pondboss.com/subscribe.asp?c=4
3/4 to 1 1/4 ac pond LMB, SMB, PS, BG, RES, CC, YP, Bardello BG, (RBT & Blue Tilapia - seasonal).
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,587
D
Lunker
Offline
Lunker
D
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,587
Dr. Claude Boud is THE MAN on water quality for ponds and for aquaculture. We were very fortunate to get him to write that chapter.


Subscribe to Pond Boss Magazine

From Bob Lusk: Dr. Dave Willis passed away January 13, 2014. He continues to be a key part of our Pond Boss family...and always will be.
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 6,692
J
JKB Offline
Hall of Fame 2015
Lunker
Offline
Hall of Fame 2015
Lunker
J
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 6,692
Just wondering about the conductivity parameter. Are you measuring conductivity as a general indicator of pond health?, or are you looking for other info from conductivity, like salinity and TDS (total dissolved solids)?

Last edited by JKB; 02/03/13 10:44 AM.
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 20,043
Likes: 1
Hall of Fame
Lunker
Offline
Hall of Fame
Lunker
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 20,043
Likes: 1
Does Boyd talk about how some parameters by themselves aren't an issue but in combination with other parameters can be a whole different story?

I do know from experience iron is nowhere as bad as "Teck Talks" in the AES/ Pentair catalog says it is and I've had other very knowledge people say so too. It's a blanket statement which rarely applies in nature.

Last edited by Cecil Baird1; 02/03/13 11:21 AM.

If pigs could fly bacon would be harder to come by and there would be a lot of damaged trees.






Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,418
Likes: 794
esshup Online Content OP
Moderator
Ambassador
Field Correspondent
Lunker
OP Online Content
Moderator
Ambassador
Field Correspondent
Lunker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,418
Likes: 794
Conductivity as a general statement in case the pond ever has to be shocked. I plan on keeping records of all the ponds, and the tests might show why a certain thing is happening in the pond.

Sort of like keeping track of the MPG per every tankful on my car. If it drops, there's a reason why. Could be external (snowy/icy conditions) or internal (vaccum line came loose, low air pressure in a tire, etc.)


www.hoosierpondpros.com


http://www.pondboss.com/subscribe.asp?c=4
3/4 to 1 1/4 ac pond LMB, SMB, PS, BG, RES, CC, YP, Bardello BG, (RBT & Blue Tilapia - seasonal).
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,418
Likes: 794
esshup Online Content OP
Moderator
Ambassador
Field Correspondent
Lunker
OP Online Content
Moderator
Ambassador
Field Correspondent
Lunker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,418
Likes: 794
Originally Posted By: Cecil Baird1
Does Boyd talk about how some parameters by themselves aren't an issue but in combination with other parameters can be a whole different story?


Yes


www.hoosierpondpros.com


http://www.pondboss.com/subscribe.asp?c=4
3/4 to 1 1/4 ac pond LMB, SMB, PS, BG, RES, CC, YP, Bardello BG, (RBT & Blue Tilapia - seasonal).
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 6,692
J
JKB Offline
Hall of Fame 2015
Lunker
Offline
Hall of Fame 2015
Lunker
J
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 6,692
Originally Posted By: esshup
Conductivity as a general statement in case the pond ever has to be shocked.


What would you be shocking the pond for? To accomplish what?

Just curious.

Last edited by JKB; 02/03/13 12:30 PM.
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,544
Hall of Fame
Lunker
Offline
Hall of Fame
Lunker
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,544
Fish density studies probably.. Or fish related checks??

Last edited by Bluegillerkiller; 02/03/13 12:30 PM.

I believe in catch and release. I catch then release to the grease..

BG. CSBG. LMB. HSB. RES.

[Linked Image from i90.photobucket.com]
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,418
Likes: 794
esshup Online Content OP
Moderator
Ambassador
Field Correspondent
Lunker
OP Online Content
Moderator
Ambassador
Field Correspondent
Lunker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,418
Likes: 794
Originally Posted By: JKB
Originally Posted By: esshup
Conductivity as a general statement in case the pond ever has to be shocked.


What would you be shocking the pond for? To accomplish what?

Just curious.


Any of the reasons why you would typically shock a pond. Population dynamics, population studies, balancing out the unbalanced fish population, etc.


www.hoosierpondpros.com


http://www.pondboss.com/subscribe.asp?c=4
3/4 to 1 1/4 ac pond LMB, SMB, PS, BG, RES, CC, YP, Bardello BG, (RBT & Blue Tilapia - seasonal).
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 6,692
J
JKB Offline
Hall of Fame 2015
Lunker
Offline
Hall of Fame 2015
Lunker
J
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 6,692
Originally Posted By: esshup
Originally Posted By: JKB
Originally Posted By: esshup
Conductivity as a general statement in case the pond ever has to be shocked.


What would you be shocking the pond for? To accomplish what?

Just curious.


Any of the reasons why you would typically shock a pond. Population dynamics, population studies, balancing out the unbalanced fish population, etc.


I kinda figured that's what you meant. I just did not know if you were getting all scientific on us and utilizing Conductivity as a water quality parameter for fish health/growth.

Last edited by JKB; 02/03/13 06:33 PM.
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 153
M
Offline
M
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 153
JKB, I still haven't forgotten about pond monotoring equipment. A few months ago the IFM company came to work shopping for business and I need to contact them. I think the key for me, or most people, would be distance, so we would want everything in 4-20ma. With the list that Scott has came up with, I will submit that to them, and have them provide a quote for sensor parts.
If someone was handy with programming, there should be a way to plug in different parameters to understand graphic relationalship changes, if applicable.
I guess the more coffee I drink, the more I wake up. I need to read the book.....



My momma never accused me of being to smart....
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,973
G
Ambassador
Field Correspondent
Lunker
Offline
Ambassador
Field Correspondent
Lunker
G
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,973
Scott we rarely if ever see alkalinity of those ranges in Georgia. We lime ane lime and lime to get it above 20 for fertilization to have a chance to work and for us we also try to get hardeness above 20. Your right for fish though great to have 50-250.


Greg Grimes
www.lakework.com
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,418
Likes: 794
esshup Online Content OP
Moderator
Ambassador
Field Correspondent
Lunker
OP Online Content
Moderator
Ambassador
Field Correspondent
Lunker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,418
Likes: 794
Greg, do you ever test for Nitrogen and Phosphorous?


www.hoosierpondpros.com


http://www.pondboss.com/subscribe.asp?c=4
3/4 to 1 1/4 ac pond LMB, SMB, PS, BG, RES, CC, YP, Bardello BG, (RBT & Blue Tilapia - seasonal).
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 6,692
J
JKB Offline
Hall of Fame 2015
Lunker
Offline
Hall of Fame 2015
Lunker
J
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 6,692
Originally Posted By: Mike Schmitt
JKB, I still haven't forgotten about pond monotoring equipment. A few months ago the IFM company came to work shopping for business and I need to contact them. I think the key for me, or most people, would be distance, so we would want everything in 4-20ma. With the list that Scott has came up with, I will submit that to them, and have them provide a quote for sensor parts.
If someone was handy with programming, there should be a way to plug in different parameters to understand graphic relationalship changes, if applicable.
I guess the more coffee I drink, the more I wake up. I need to read the book.....


Mike, IFM won't have the sensors required for what esshup posted.

Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,973
G
Ambassador
Field Correspondent
Lunker
Offline
Ambassador
Field Correspondent
Lunker
G
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,973
Scott just ask Cody I have bugged him for years with that question. It is very complex thus usually a waste of money for my clients. Orthophosphate in theory might be worth it but usually best to do ortho and total. Yes we have found out the Nitrogen or really the N:P ratio was low in some cases and from this information actually added Nitrogen fertilizer rather than our high P fertilizer. Matt Rayl needs to chime in here and he had a good article in PB about this subject.


Greg Grimes
www.lakework.com
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,475
Likes: 264
E
Moderator
Hall of Fame 2014
Lunker
Offline
Moderator
Hall of Fame 2014
Lunker
E
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,475
Likes: 264
Yep I was in on those email threads. There is some good info and more needs to be done.

We have one pond that will not turn green - no matter what. Even with all the factors in the good range. It would turn a light brown (almost clear with a slight brown tint). I used all the suggested methods - no luck. Even tried adding water from the other green ponds to seed it. No help. We used several (6) pond fertilizers (all P or very high P with little to no N )at differing amounts. Nada - no luck. In a desperate attempt I tried a mix of 0-46-0 and equal parts 34-0-0 = half N and half P. The pond color turned a deeper shade of brown with obvious increase in plankton just not green. Then I called Bill and he did a plankton analysis. Lots of brown plankton very little green. So the N increased the brown plankton many fold. See this link. http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Main=20172&Number=259527#Post259527

















Link Copied to Clipboard
Today's Birthdays
cro, HC1968
Recent Posts
pond experience needed
by esshup - 03/29/24 12:45 AM
Relative weight charts in Excel ? Calculations?
by jpsdad - 03/28/24 09:45 PM
Alum vs Bentonite/Lathanum for Phosphorus Removal?
by FishinRod - 03/28/24 08:28 PM
New pond middle TN: establishing food chain?
by Bill Cody - 03/28/24 07:57 PM
Happy Birthday Bob Lusk!!
by FireIsHot - 03/28/24 07:33 PM
Working on a .5acre disaster, I mean pond.
by PRCS - 03/28/24 06:39 PM
Fungus infection on fish
by nvcdl - 03/28/24 06:07 PM
Can anyone ID these minnows?
by Dylanfrely - 03/28/24 05:43 PM
1 year after stocking question
by esshup - 03/28/24 04:48 PM
Yellow Perch Spawn 2024
by H20fwler - 03/28/24 04:29 PM
New 2 acre pond stocking plan
by LANGSTER - 03/28/24 03:49 PM
Paper-shell crayfish and Japanese snails
by esshup - 03/28/24 10:39 AM
Newly Uploaded Images
Eagles Over The Pond Yesterday
Eagles Over The Pond Yesterday
by Tbar, December 10
Deer at Theo's 2023
Deer at Theo's 2023
by Theo Gallus, November 13
Minnow identification
Minnow identification
by Mike Troyer, October 6
Sharing the Food
Sharing the Food
by FishinRod, September 9
Nice BGxRES
Nice BGxRES
by Theo Gallus, July 28
Snake Identification
Snake Identification
by Rangersedge, July 12

� 2014 POND BOSS INC. all rights reserved USA and Worldwide

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5