From what I understand Gator's land is in the pine belt and has acid soil. I would expect that if ag lime has not been added the alka. reading is 17 mg/L or 17 on a standard Hatch kit test, which is low. If so he will need ag lime. See below which is from above links ( the link covers ph, alka., CO2 & hardness in detail) :

Ideally, an aquaculture pond
should have a pH between 6.5 and
9 as well as moderate to high total
alkalinity (75 to 200, but not less
than 20 mg/L) and a calcium hardness
of 100 to 250 mg/L CaCO3.
Many of the principles of chemistry
are abstract (e.g., carbonate-bicarbonate
buffering) and difficult
to grasp. However, a fundamental
understanding of the concepts and
chemistry underlying the interactions
of pH, CO2, alkalinity and
hardness is necessary for effective
and profitable pond management.
There is no way to avoid it; water
quality is water chemistry.

Agricultural limestone can be used
to increase calcium concentrations
(and carbonate-bicarbonate alkalinity)
in areas with acid waters or
soils. However, at a pH of 8.3 or
greater, agricultural limestone will
not dissolve. Agricultural gypsum
(calcium sulfate) or food grade calcium
chloride could be used to
raise calcium levels in soft, alkaline
waters.

Chronically high CO2 levels
can be treated chemically with
hydrated lime, Ca(OH)2. Approximately
1 mg/L of hydrated lime
will remove 1 mg/L of CO2. This
treatment should not be used in
waters with poor buffering capacity
(low alkalinity) because pH
could rise to levels lethal to fish.
Also, fish could be endangered if
hydrated lime is added to waters
with high ammonia concentrations.
High pH increases the toxicity
of ammonia.