Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations PH READING

can anybody tell me what a good ph reading would be?i tested my lake today with a swimming pool kit and got a 8.2 reading,is this good?also tested the alk.and got a 60,is this good>

If your kit is accurate, your reading is at the top boundary for good fish production. Send a water sample to a lab. Check LSU's fisheries department. I think they have a lab.
Usually, when pH is fairly high, like 8.2, alkalinity is higher than 60.
Double check your readings through a lab.
But, keeping things in perspective, there's no reason your water won't raise good fish.
"Ideal" pH ranges from 6.5 to 8.5. See recent issues of Pond Boss. We have tackled water chemistry in depth.

thanks bob,i will send samples to LSU,they do have a lab.just wanted you to know i just bought raising trophy bass and pond management for your company.i received the pond management book this past tuesday and finished reading last night,very good book. thanks.

lee, did you get the "water weeds and algae" book? it's really good too. as soon as your pond grows some and gets water in it, eventually you'll need it. i wish i had gotten the basic pond management book before i even started my pond. but i'm sure like some others, i didn't discover this site until after i had started, but still was very helpful. good luck with your pond. mark

Lee, as an alternative to sending a water sample to LSU, you could get in touch with a fisheries biologist through your county agent's office. He'll do his tricks on site.

Thanks for the kind words, and the purchase of our books.
Let us know your water test results.
Dudley, does each parish have access to a biologist, or are biologists regional, with limited resources? And, what type of services do they provide private landowners?

Bob, it's possible that some of the more densely populated parishes have individual biologists or maybe more than one, e.g. Orleans. I believe that the biologist who serves St. Mary also takes care of Iberia and possibly another or other parishes. I'm not certain of their full scope, but it is probably fairly broad. I've consulted the local biologist on grass control, pH, stocking and crawfish pond layout. If important to you, I can get more information.