Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Water chemistry Acorns?

My new pond has a couple of large oak trees whose canopies hang over the pond. I've read on the forum about tannins in oak leaves, and my plan is to skim out the leaves periodically as they drop into the water this fall.

But what about acorns. For a couple of weeks now, a steady shower of acorns has been dropping into the water. Do these have the same tannins as oak leaves?

It's not as if I can do anything about it, but I am curious as to whether this will have any effect on water quality.

VA

What is the pond size and what is your alkalinity ? If your alkalinity is low it would be easier to add some ag or pelletted lime than scope out leaves and acorns.

It's small, about two tenths of an acre. I have not tested alkalinity, but the bloom appears to be perfect. Not too dense, or too clear. Hazy at about 16 inches. Is there a way to test alkalinity myself?

Red oaks or white oaks? Red oak acorns have more tannin in them, IIRC.

Can't you test alkalinity with a swimming pool test kit or a breathalizer or something like that?

Already thinking ahead to Vegas?

Before the Boy Scouts kicked me out (true story actually) I remember their motto was "Be Prepared" seemed like reasonable advice that to this day I try to follow.

I am very careful not mix drinking and gambling though. So I drink first and then gamble.

I'm sorry VA but JHAP you are going to have to tell that story.

I'm all ears as well. Maybe he had too many brownies!

By the way, they are white oaks.
VA

I'll start a new thread sometime soon and tell the story (If I forget, someone remind me) I don't want to T-Bone VA's thread.

I was serious in my question though (I know sometimes it's hard to tell when I'm serious). Can't you test Alkalinity with a swimming pool test kit? I know you can test PH - although frankly being marginally color blind those kits don't help me much. But is there a test kit for alkalinity? (hopefully that will get you back on track VA).

ahhh, now we know why you were not Boy Scout material JHAP.

This forum is great because it's not just informative, but intermixed with stories from a bunch of "colorful" guys like you.

VA

Test your H2O alk with a standard pool test kit. These guys have taught me to keep my alk above 60 ppm, and 100-150 is better. This will greatly stabalize your Ph and keep it from bouncing. Acorns don't affect water as much as leaves, but will minimally (sp) affect your water for a longer period of time due to their 'solid' nature and slower releasing of tannin. If you keep your alk above 60 and closer to 125, you shouldn't have to worry about tannin (all others things being equal) Hope this helps, and guys, if I have misspoken, PLEASE correct me.

I use a pool test kit. Greg hammers me but I still do it. Or, take the water sample to a swimming pool place and have a test done.

We have alkalinity results of 4-8 ppm on most occasions our goal is to get it above 20 so a pool test kit does not cut it when trying to be this accurate. The margin for error is greater than the end result. We use a digitial titrator, your county extension servuce might be a good choice. For not much money they will test pH, hardness (many times same result as alk) and several parameters that mean nothing to a pond owner.

I need to appologize. When I said a standard pool test kit, I mis-spoke. My wife is the Auatics Director of our city's indoor facility, and she tested our pond's water with her professional tools, which, I have learned since, is far more sophisticated than a "standard pool test kit".. Sorry. It's ok cause she scolded me too!!!! Whoops. Still, I think I am correct to say that to shoot for a ph of 6.5-7.9, with the ideal being about 7.3, is good. Alk above 60 and closer to 125ish is better, and hardness around 150 is pretty good(?). Higher alk, but not over 200, will keep your ph from spiking up and down. Since I put 4-6" rock on the water side of my dam the rain runnoff will take some lime from the rocks to help with the alk. At least that's what I've deduced. I'm rambling, sorry. Bye

JD I would not ever worry about adding lime. I'm jealous of that super water quailty. Enjoy the great fish growth!