If growing higher quality good sized fish nor wanting a decent plankton bloom are not the main goals then testing the water is not critical if you see fish, critters, and/or bugs living in the pond. Presence of aquatic life indicates adequate water quality for most general types of recreational and casual fishing ponds.
It is a good idea to know and have WRITTEN down the basic water chemistry such as pH, alkalinity, total hardness. Very few pond owners ever write down or fully remember details of the baseline information. Then when water quality problems occurs you have an idea how much change occurred in the basic water chemistry and can better look for answers.
Last edited by Bill Cody; 03/22/17 10:31 AM.
