What are acceptable water testing levels for pH, ammonia, nitrates, nitrites, oxygen?
pH: Koi are pretty tolerant fish to steady state acid/base conditions. pH becomes a problem when it changes rapidly and as the water heats up in summer. Koi do best at 7.5 (neutral) but will tolerate 0.75 plus or minus this as long as it is what they are used to. High pH (alkaline) conditions makes ammonia more toxic. The tendency of some koi shows to freely bubble their vats blows off CO2 and raises pH. At that point, even minor increases in ammonia levels can cause big problems with the fish. More of a problem, especially in bare liner ponds with high fish loads, is loss of alkalinity. Alkalinity is, very simply, the measure of the pond’s ability to keep its pH stable as conditions change. It is measured in ppm and ideal is around 100 ppm with a range of around 40 ppm in either direction. It depends on the presence of salts of various metals, primarily carbonate salts, which interact with the acid produced by the fish and the activity of the bacteria in the pond and the biofilter. Th
Related Questions
- Side note: All other levels were great: no ammonia, no nitrates or nitrites.) In addition to more frequent water changes, should I utilize an adjuster?
- Oh, and is it true that DSBs and plenums will get rid of ammonia and nitrites, rather than simply reducing nitrates?
- What are acceptable water testing levels for pH, ammonia, nitrates, nitrites, oxygen?
