Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Muddy water Ag lime, alum, or Gypsum

I've read all the posts and am more confused than before. I have had my water tested the past two years and am told my results are great for recreational pond. After about three years it finally rained and filled up. It is very cloudy, always has been.

There is vegetaion all around the pond for a year now, problem is it hasn't settled. I don't have the results on hand but I know I was told not to add lime because the alkalinity wasn't low enough. So I'm leaning towards gypsum. I want to do the jar tests do determine how much to add. Can someone please provide the link. Also, I read that AG lime would not hurt my fish. Is this true, I thought AG lime would adversley affect pH? I so confused...any help would be appreciated. THX

Welcome to the forum MDP, someone with knowledge in this area will be along to help you out soon...

The following link is for the bucket test to determine how much alum to use.

http://srac.tamu.edu/tmppdfs/1152887-460...c876e2741425338

Can't add too much ag lime, we normally do 4-6 tons per acre but some have done up to 10 tons/acre. But quick or slacked lime can cause the pH to change rapidly when applied which can kill your fish. So it is not recommended to use quick or slacked lime.

THanks. THats what I couldn't find. Hope it works well

use quick lime following alum, at about 1/2 the weight of alum, to maintain neutrality of the water.

example...400 # aluminum sulphate per acre followed by 200# hydrated lime to neutralize the added acidity of the alum. this prevents a drastic ph swing which can shock the fish. If you already have hard water and higher ph(8-8.5) adding the alum should not be detrimental. Just get some pool strips or a liquid pool test kit to keep an eye on it.

A couple pics from my scaled down aluminum sulphate test last night


http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/wqt37llVhK7X8xdeFiKk1Q?feat=directlink

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/K1yQdbFJlw_g91iDklU9XQ?feat=directlink

That looks pretty close to the way mine did. I applied 350 lbs of Alum to my 1.25 acre pond but it didn't do much good. Cleared it up maybe 12" deep. I'm going to apply 800# next weekend per some suggestions and see if it helps. I hear that it's pretty much all or nothing with the alum.

Cisco, the additional 800# ought to clear your pond well.