Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Ag Lime Question

PB on sheetrock thread.

http://www.pondboss.com/forums/ubbthread...=true#Post81495

While gyp is a substitute for alum and does not use up alkalinity like alum, it is not a substitute for lime. Water is a solvent and therefore takes up the traits of the dirt in and around the pond. The object of liming is to change the dirt's traits/acidity and thus by absorption the water. Some lime will dissolve into the water directly when applied but it mostly sinks and changes the dirt. That is why ag lime when properly applied continues to work . It changes the pond bottom dirt (and upland where applied) until natural process make the dirt acidic again. At which time more ag lime is required. That is why soil tests are key and the lab recommendations are based on soil tests.

That is part of what Ted was describing: " If you have a CEC (cation exchange capacity)of 10 or greater and you probably do it will attach itself and be immobile for the most part. ". In attaching lime changes the soil acidity.