All,
I just got my new pond test results back from the lab and was wondering if someone could interpret the results for me. I have tried but just don't know enough but to determine my turbidity is crazy high which I knew it would be just because of how muddy water is currently. I have but erosion matting around the pond and planted rye grass around which I have seen a little improvement. Thanks for any of your help.

Kevin

If i was you i might blackout your address. Im no help with results sorry the experts will chime in on that.

Thanks Stringer didn't notice that. Took all I had just to post the results!

Here's the results for ease of viewing. I don't know the answers so let's await other replies:

And Welcome to Pond Boss!!

Thank you Sunil. I just alike many others, I have been lurking in the shadows trying absorb everyone's knowledge as this is my first pond I have owned/built. Trying to get a small fishing hole for my son to fish out of when we finally build on the property.

Kevin,

Did they measure pH on your water sample?

Also, your turbidity is measured in NTU (which is hitting the sample with a light beam in the lab). It is very accurate, but not that useful for you to monitor your pond over the year.

I would recommend you buy or make a secchi disk to help you monitor turbidity in your pond. (Do a google search for how they work.)

Take a secchi disk reading when the water looks similar to the day you took your water sample. You will then have a rough calibration to use if you ever get another lab measurement of turbidity in the future.

Congratulations on your new pond. I look forward to reading about how you and your son turn it into a good fishing hole!

Kevin, I didn't see alkalinity reading, which is usually the single most important data point. Did you get any indication of this?

FishinRod I tested the Ph myself and it was 7 and I will definitely get the secchi disk to help monitor progress.

anthropic, I did not get the alkalinity test I guess. When I dropped off my sample I asked for an in depth test of the water to get me a detailed overview of the quality of my pond water. I will get the alkalinity test if you think that would help me.

I'm trying to dial in a old strip mine pond I did some work on, from what I've read/learned:

#1 pH
#2 Alkalinity
--------
Almost all others are 'nice to have' and will fill in some gaps of knowledge but the first two, if remediated correctly, will allow flora and fauna to thrive.

As I'm interested in the answers as well, after reading the three posted articles I looked up the testkits mentioned and am having this one shipped in.

Fresh Water Aquaculture Outfit Model AQ-2



As many water test samples degrade over time (some in hours some in days) testing at the pond edge when the sample is drawn will be helpful I think.

Kevin, I had this beaten into my thick skull by PB commentators & biologists. pH varies daily, but alkalinity is more stable and much more significant. Ideally between 40 and 180, I have to apply tons of lime to keep it up in that range. But the plankton sure do notice!

Anthropic, thanks for the advice. Will definitely get the alkalinity tested and post the results. Thanks again for everyones feedback.

Ok I finally was able to go and get my pond water tested at a pool company for pH and Alkalinity. PH came back at 8.3 and Alkalinity at 47 ppm. I did do the alum test on a smaller scale and it cleared the water up within 30 minutes.

Good job!

Alkalinity over 20 ppm will definitely help the productivity of your pond.

Good results on your alum test also mean that you will be able to exert significant control over the visibility in your pond.

One of the members (Dave Davidson) has this in his signature line:

It's not about the fish. It's about the pond. Take care of the pond and the fish will be fine.

Sounds like you are doing an excellent job on the "pond" part. I can't wait to hear about the "fish" part.

Good luck!