Originally Posted By: ewest
If pH swings over 24 hours are small then alkalinity is good. It is buffering the swings. Adding lime when needed keeps alkalinity up and it usually lasts (bell curve) about 18 mths depending of course on your dirt.


Thanks for chiming in Eric. I think the level of ALK in the pond has been sufficient to adequately buffer the PH. As I stated earlier, my PH seldom swings much, and if it does it's usually after a hard rain, but never above 8.5 and it comes right back. My main concern is in hardness as I know there's a correlation to overall fish health, and right now, it not even measurable. I may hold off on the 500 additional pounds and just lace the small inflow ditch so any new water is being buffered.

.10 surface acre pond, 10.5 foot deep. SW LA. The epitome of a mutt pond. BG, LMB, GSF, RES, BH, Warmouth, Longear Sunfish, Gambusia,Mud Minnows, Crappie, and now shiners!!...I subscribe!!