Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Water chemistry Water Test Results - Eastland County

Just got my test results back from TAMU and was hoping to get some help on interpretation. I did two tests just for the heck of it, one mid lake and one at the dam.

At the moment the lake is around 10 acres, full pool is around 13.

This is my first water test and I don't really know what to look for, so any advice is welcome.

Your pH levels are within range for raising fish, the level will change throughout the day 6.5-9. This is also controlled by your alkalinity and yours is over 20 ppm. You are off to a good start on your pond.

Fertilization will not stimulate a good phytoplankton bloom if alkalinity is below 20 ppm

Not an answer to you question but another question...
How can the hardness (in grains CaCO3/gallon) be limiting but the hardness (in PPM CaCO3) be in the acceptable range? It seems contradicting...

ppm can be converted to grains/gallon thus giving a lower number. 128 ppm is 7 grains/gallon. On the report we want to focus on the ppm of CaC03, because this tells us the likeness it will hold a current when conducting an e-fishing survey.

DJ ,

ppm can be converted to grains/gallon thus giving a lower number. 128 ppm is 7 grains/gallon. On the report we want to focus on the ppm of CaC03, because this tells us the likeness it will hold a current when conducting an e-fishing survey.

7 grains/gallon tells us that the water is moderate to hard.

Thanks for the info.

For some background on the place. It's a bass pond for sure. Roughly 80 years old. Went dry in 2011 and we brought in equipment and worked a bit of it over (dug channels, built islands, etc.

It filled up a couple months later and we stocked it with Camelot bell fingerlings, resf, cnbg, fhm, etc...the normal stuff.

A year later we stocked some adult Camelot bells, most of those did very well. We now have fish over 7 pounds (I think much higher, but 7.75 is the record so far) most of the fingerlings were around 3-4 pounds last year, we also had a great population of 4-5 pound bass.

We have also stocked shad and tilapia as well as triploid grass carp. We have had serious issues with vegetation in the past, the water is pretty clear.

We are electro-fishing for the first time April 17th, so that should be interesting.

In terms of fertilization, what would the recommended application be according to the test results? Using 12-61-0

These may also be helpful for you to read. I like to understand more of the background- your mileage may vary.

http://fisheries.tamu.edu/files/2013/09/Understanding-Your-Fish-Pond-Water-Analysis-Report.pdf

https://srac.tamu.edu/index.cfm/event/getFactSheet/whichfactsheet/112/

Great forum for info. We're new landowners-- this past October I had a pond water test done by Rusk County AG Ext office. Results were: pH 6.5; alkalinity: 27.6 for a 2.5-3 acre spring-fed pond. The representative recommended adding AG Lime, everyone else agree? Is there no such thing as too much lime? Lastly, I called around to several places in Henderson, TX. If anyone is looking for bulk AG LIME, Lone Star Farm Supply has it for $67.50 (5 ton min) and the price includes delivery and spreading.

Thanks Joe. Oh yeah, welcome to Pond Boss.