wchuasc
Koi Lover
May 20, 2002, 9:57 AM
Post #1 of 12
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Advice needed on new pond PH !
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I have just completed construction of my 4,000 litre in ground concrete pond. I used G4 pond sealant to "seal" the pond. Soaked the pond (with the pump running)for 72 hours initially and totally discharged all the water.
After that I placed in the filter medium, I have a 3 chamber filter - 1st I use "The Answer" by Evolution Aqua as the mechanical filter ( replaces the nylon brushes etc.), 2nd chamber is the bio chamber in which I have bio-mats, 5 x 7kg bags of Zeolite, 4 x 7kg bags of oyster shells, 4 x 1kg of BIOHOME sintered glass and 3 x BioRings by ANGEL(for bacteria growth and housing). I have added bacteria cultures every 3 days and have also added in 9kgs of salt. And the 3rd chamber just houses the "cleaned" water to be pumped out by the pump back into the pond.
With this configuration, my pond has been running for about 10 days and the PH is at 8.4 in the mornings and around 8.6 in the HOT afternoons. How can I lower the PH ?
Can I add my koi's into the pond ? I currently have 1 x 50cm Showa, 1 x 45cm Gold Ogon, 1 x 45cm Goshiki, 1 x 50cm Kohaku all of whom I have reared in a small fibreglass tank since they were no more than 10cm to 15cm long (I have tremendous emotional attachment to my koi's !)! So I am wondering if I can introduce my precious koi's into the pond in the current PH and climate and more importantly is it safe ? And how can I bring the PH down to between 7 to 7.8 ?
Your kind advice is most deeply appreciated !
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Since you have yet to introduce fishes into the pond, may I suggest you use lots and lots of pineapple skin and put them into the pond. The natural acidity of the skin will 'neutralise' some of the alkalinity thus reducing the pH. Some people who can get hold of hydrochloric acid uses that to lower the pH. 
Gotta clean the 1st chamber weekly to remove the solids but it only takes me 1/2 hr, so not too bad.