Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Water chemistry Timing a Water Test

I'd like to get the boards opinion on whether or not there is a time in the yearly cycle of a pond where it's not advisable to collect water for chemical analysis.

Over the past five days, our area has received a couple inches of rainfall. Coupled with my nightly aeration, I'm sure this influx of water has resulted in "old" water mixing with "new" water. Would it be prudent to collect a water sample now or should I let the pond acclimate itself to the new conditions before taking a sample? I'd like to test for hardness, alkalinity, DO and turbidity?

Russ :

I would pick the most normal time. If you have lots of water flow through most of the year then don't wait until the creek stops to test. Likewise don't test after a huge rain event wait until the water reaches its normal condition.

Alkalinity and hardness can be "generally tested" for with pond bottom soil sample tests (if your watershed is similar) as well as by water tests. A $35 Hatch test kit can give you alkalinity and hardness in a general range . IIRC it come with at lease 50 test packets maybe 100. DO and turbidity obviously should be done during normal conditions.

The above assumes only one test. A series of tests over a years time is much better esp. wrt DO's. Also ponds change over time and for good results a continuing testing program is outstanding.

Russ, I noticed that you do "nightly" aeration. That caught my attendtion. I run my aeration 24X7 from ice melt to end of October or beginning of November. Why only nightly?

ewest recommended testing at "the most normal time" - I can see where this would be very important as it will tell you how to manage for most of the year.

Perhaps a second test when the pond is in it's worst case (probably height of Summer when the level is lowest, for most of us) would also be useful to define the bottleneck this time of year puts on you pond and the management thereof.

The combination of the past weeks rain and the forecast for more this weekend (amount will depend on the remnants of Ernesto) has the intermittent stream that supplies the BG pond flowing again and will probably sustain a flow till next summer. With this flow, now would be the "best" and typical scenario for the pond till next summer. Eric and Theo, you mention multiple tests which sounds like a good idea.

Tuzz, here is my explanation for nightly aeration, from most to least important.
(1) To suppliment DO during low photosynthesis periods.

(2) My new compressor is a bit louder than the old one and its a little annoying to work in the barn with it running during the day. I was using the 1.5 cfm compressor that a number of PB members are using but switched to a 2.6 cfm. A 2.6 cfm GAST compressor is priced around $300 but I found a surplus store and picked one up for $35 (not including shipping). This allows me to run two 9" diffusers simultaneously at 1/2 the time. Not sure yet about the cost comparison.

(3) The compressor noise at night might deter someone from trying to break into the barn.

(4) I like to pull into the yard at night and shine the lights on the pond. With the pond bubbling away, it gives a good backdrop for a Stephen King thriller. Can't wait till this fall when the pond begins to cool and a mist rises from it.

The operative word being "it".

Hate to do this Theo but is this the "IT"?

http://www.pondboss.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=20;t=003267;p=1

Keep laughing - my Mist Demon minions and I may be making a surprise visit to a pond near you. :p

We need a Demons thread like the pirates. I bet Demons make spider holes on frozen ponds when they come up through the ice.

When's "Talk Like a Mist Demon Day", anyway?