Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Water chemistry PH tester

Swimming pool test kits work in theory for pH but in reality the high organic load of a typical pond cause interferences which lead to errors. I have been testing my pond for pH, hardness, alkalinity, CO2, O2, Nitrate and phosphate (ortho) and running the tests using 2 methods. I've been running the samples by Standard Methods (the EPA approved methodology) in the lab I retired from but since I won't always have that option, I've been running duplicate analyses with Aquarium drop count test kits and having good reproducable results. Aquarium test kits are cheaper than Hach test kits per test and have produced results which I am confident with. Be careful to select test kits for fresh water not salt, some of the kits are not stocked in alot of pet shops so you may have to shop around.