Tracy, with the pH at 8, using alum to clear the turbidity will drop the pH, so have some hydrated lime on hand so it doesn't drop too far. 8 isn't too high, but every 0.1 change in a pH number is a 10x change. In an ideal world you'd keep the pH at 7.5 but bouncing 1.0 either side of that isn't bad. I'd begin to take measures to adjust the pH if it starts to approach 6 or 9 long term.

pH readings will change depending on what time of day they were taken. They'll be the highest mid-day. The higher the buffering capacity of the pond water, the less pH swings you will see.

ewest can explain it much better than I can.

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3/4 to 1 1/4 ac pond LMB, SMB, PS, BG, RES, CC, YP, Bardello BG, (RBT & Blue Tilapia - seasonal).