Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Fertilization Lime Rip Rap

Does anyone know if adding lime rip rap will help with the PH in a lake or pond?

it sure can't hurt. However usually you are liming the pond bottom not really the pond.

Big Bass :

Welcome to the forum. A question. Are you talking about using limestone rock for rip rap ? If so it won't hurt but it will not do much to effect the acidity of the water and pond bottom if it otherwise needs liming.

While I agree with my two friends above, I have a little different spin. Lime riprap will change the pH, if the water is acidic. But, it doesn't have as dramatic affect as aglime does. But, for long term, limestone riprap will have an impact.

Welcome to PB Big Bass. When one talks about riprap, I envision material used for bank/erosion stabilization. Greg, Eric or Bob, if lime riprap was placed in the current of a stream, that supplied water to a pond, do you feel this would accelerate the effects (to water pH)?

Side bar: Eric, I've come to the belief that you are a research computer and there is no doubt that you will provide a link to some study that addresses this exact question.

Good question Big Bass

Russ :

My post above was not as accurately written as it should have been. I think limestone rock rip rap will dissolve in water over time (esp. if acidic) and will help with the problem. I don't think it will be enough alone to correct an acidic water problem that would other wise require regular liming. It is a matter of amount and the ability of the lime to mix with the soil and water.

Wrt your question, depending on water flow it would IMO accelerate the effect of erosion on the rock and thus add to the reduction of water acidity. The question is how much. There is a lot written on pond liming but I have not looked wrt limestone rock as a source.

Btw there are other good reasons (in addition to erosion control and ph) to use limestone rock rip rap, like crawfish . It is a great place for then to live and hide and the food for them ,which grew on the limestone should have higher levels of lime (calcium carbonate) which aids in crawfish shell growth.

ewest well said! agree with Bob and Eric for what its worth.

I just wish I could afford real rip-rap. Man, at about $6/ton (if I haul it myself) I'd spend about a gazillion dollars lining the shore...but it does look GREAT, as well.

Our waterfall runs over FL. limestone and I've never seen the PH below 8, for what it is worth.
Sara

It's worth a lot, Sara. It makes the plankton grow. Right? Welcome back. How is the pond/pool doing?
I feel if the water is circulating and the readings are correct does it matter about how it is done? I have some lime dumped into the feeder ditch and some slung into the pond.

The plankton likes to stick to it but turning off the falls for a while it dries and dies. There are three pumps each for a diff area, so I can alternate.
I am so excited, we went cast netting in a nearby lake this eve and caught two one foot long near as I can identify thus far: armored catfish. Absolutely beautiful! A week or so ago we got one one foot telapia!
The zep septic stuff combined with a new application improved my clarity to almost a foot.
It is all good!
I'd love to show you a picture of these beauties, we took before we released them. Near as I can figure from reading here how to identify the sex of tilapia, I think these are both male catfish. Hence, if they are a nuisance at least that won't be reproducing.
Sorry to change the subject, just soooooooo excited!
Thanks for asking!

sorry: new application of barley straw.

Vermiculated sailfin suckermouth catfish: that is what they are. Turns out they are an invasive species, but not the one that is creating havoc in lake Ocachobee. This one has been around since the 1950's and has not made much progress-thank God! I think between the liner and rock on one side of the lake and sand banks everywhere else they won't be able to burrow, which is the trouble with the one taking over lake Ocachobee. They are noctornal, so I hope if they stir things up it will settle during the day.