Bring your pond water to us and we'll test it for you. Be sure to collect the water in the morning and bring it to the shop as soon as possible. The pH of your pond rises naturally during the day, so the readings are the most accurate early in the morning. Be prepared to wait for at least 10 minutes while we conduct the test (longer if we're busy). Here's what we can test for: pH, Ammonia, Nitrite, salt level Here's what we can't test for: Specific Fish Diseases, Presence of insecticides and pesticides Here's what you can test for simply by observation without a test kit:
The Jar Test: fill a clear glass jar with pond water in the evening. Let sit overnight. If the water clears then something (most likely large fish) is keeping the water stirred up. If the water remains cloudy the problem is algae.
Green Water: if the water is green there is an excess of nutrients in the water.
Tea Colored Water: if the water is the color of weak tea, then tree leaves have fallen in and the tanic acid from those leaves stained the water.
Low Oxygen Levels: all fish will be gasping at the surface; if the problem is really severe the larger fish will die before the smaller fish (their needs for oxygen are greater).
Very High pH: your plants will stop growing and submerged grasses will look as though they've been bleached.
