NC - I am a rookie here and don't have tons of experience with water chemistry but....

"I also didn’t mention prior but my hardness is through the roof but my alk is showing less than 20ppm."

As I understand it - Alkalinity is the buffer on wide PH swings.

That said, my pond water is still new as the pond finished filling this year. I had some questions early on about adjusting PH, Alkalinity...and the advice I received was to let it balance and not make changes. I don't know at what point it's safe to make changes but new water is likely more volatile than an established pond. Frequent treatments would, in my opinion, not always provide the same results.

Personally, I would let it balance for a bit and check it again closer to fall. If you Alkalinity still seems low in say Oct....maybe that's a good time to make a small change. Again, let it equalize and check again in the spring....small adjustments if needed.

That's just me though....sorry I can't help more.

1.5acre LMB, YP, BG, RES, GSH, Seasonal Tilapia
I subscribe to Pond Boss Magazine