Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Georgia Giant Put to the Test?

Deb and Gator, I think Deb's ammonia test results are too high based on the present condition of Gator's pond. I am wondering about the accuracy of Deb's test for ammonia OR the sample was not stabilized (preserved) before shipment and ammonia accumulated or built up in sample after it was collected.

Typically samples collected for ammonia analysis should be tested as soon as possible after collection. If analysis cannot be made immediately or soon after collection BUT if analysis is to be delayed for up to 24 hours then the sample must be preserved with either mercuric ion or sulfuric acid. I doubt Gator preserved the sample before sending it to Deb.
Also several common substances such as iron or sulfides can interference with the ammonia test. Other less common substances can also skew the test results. The type of test method used is affected differently by the above noted interferences of iron or sulfide. Sometimes the water sample needs to be distilled before it is tested for ammonia.

I am not a chemist but I do know enough to be wary of high test results especially if the sample has been shipped OR stored and the chemical being tested is not a real stable substance in pond water. Pond waters with fish densities of few, normal or no fish are not normally high in ammonia. I personally think before we conclude that Gator has high ammonia levels and that it needs to be fixed, we should have some input from PaPond who is a retired chemist from PA and who sometimes frequents this forum. Another chemist that I am not aware of may also be able to help out here.

Additional note. The hardness conversion factor for converting grains per gallon to ppm or mg/L is 17.1. Thus Gator's total hardness is in the ball park of 290 mg/L.

My experience with HSB in Ohio indicates that they do well in water with total hardness ranging from 200 -300 mg/L. Bruce condello can confirm his results from the midwest.