Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Water chemistry Tannic acid

Jim, those readings sound pretty good, what were the readings before adding lime, and did you measure visibility?

My PH was at 6 before adding lime ,,, It only came up .2 by adding 160 lbs of lime ,,, the pond is roughly 700 - 800,000 gallons ,,, I am not in any big rush to clear my pond up but I would like to gain some headway this year, As far as visibility goes ,,, You can only see a few inches before it turns to rust color.

Jim, if your pond is at ph6 or above I don't see a problem especially considering the acid water we have upstate in so many lakes and ponds.
My pond has never gotten above 5.8 and the trout, PS's & GSH grow very well. The water is tea color but my visibility is usually atleast 2 ft, with visibility much better in the spring and fall.

I don't know what would be the best way to clear your pond but being new it might just need time to settle suspended particles.
Some members report that their ponds cleared significantly after adding DB100 to help seal leak problems. It might be best to let your pond settle over the winter and see how it looks after ice out.

Is there a lot of iron in the soil or groundwater? Cecil has some issues with high iron levels.

Jim: If you take a water sample and leave it set in a glass jar for a few days, does the water clear up by particles settling down to the bottom? If FHM will live in a minnow bucket in the pond, I'd try and stock FHM this Fall.

That is 2 or 3 acre feet of water. If yo can, try to get a local co-op or feed mill to bringa couple tons of AG lime and spreadit in the pond with their truck. Ag lime can't raise the PH above 8.2. The rise occurs pretty slowly and will last for at least a few years.