Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Soil questions Just got my soil test back

The recommendation is to simply add fertilizer. Other tanks on my property have terrible turbidity. Any thing y’all see in this report that I should think about? Otherwise, I guess I just get some simple fertilizer and spread it?

Use water soluble fertilizer or use platforms. Don't dump granular fertilizer in the water where it contacts the pond bottom.

Did you tell them this was for a pond ? It shows no crop given and there is no alkalinity # . May need some ag lime. Looks like an ideal situation for water soluble fertilizer to increase N and P.

I noticed that too, Eric. Shouldn't he have asked for a test for alfalfa crop or something like that?

I called in advance to make sure I filled it out right and told them it was for a pond. They seemed perplexed as to why I would look at the soil instead of the water. There wasn’t a queue for a pond unfortunately.

Will additional lime increase calcium? I thought those two were related. Thanks y’all.

I know most of the folks on here are from TX and AL and have Texas AM and Alburn to send there soil samples too. Do you think if I reach out to them that AM will do one for me even though im in FL? Also how long did it take for you to get your results back?

I would imagine University of Florida or Florida State University (whichever one is the "agricultural university") would have soil test capabilities.

Find your local University of Florida Extension office. Here is their brochure:

http://soilslab.ifas.ufl.edu/pdfs/SoilLabBrochure.pdf

Looking at your soil test it shows you do not need Calcium, Magnesium, or sulfur. Your PH is 7.6 and 7.2 is perfect for soil. Adding N and P will drop your PH from 7.6 and it looks as if you need some of that.

That being said if this soil has been the bottom of your pond it is expected to see low N and P as they are used so easy and soluble.

THANK YOU!

I have sent samples to TX AM from Missouri and I got results in less than a week. You just pay the money and send the form, no problem.

See this. Keep in mind that soil analysis is very good as it reflects over time what the pond water will indicate. As Bob says water reflects the soil as water is the universal solvent. But the soil tests are not identical for soil and water. For example P will stay in soil for crops but it often is used up in water and becomes the limiting factor for plankton production. That is why for a yard or crops you have high N fertilizers or even balanced ones like 13-13-13 while pond fertilizers are low N and K and high P. Common pond fertilizers are 0-46-0 or 8-40-10.


Interpretation of Water Analysis
Reports for Fish Culture

https://srac.tamu.edu/serveFactSheet/262

In the aquarium hobby K or potassium is a big deal for planted tanks.