HOW TO REDUCE HARD WATER IN A GARDEN POND – Monitoring the water quality of your garden pond can have a huge effect on its ability to sustain life. The pH level (alkalinity or acidity) of pond water will affect fish health and determine whether aquatic plants will grow. The guide below provides information on controlling the quality of water in your garden pond.
Step 1
Testing the pond water pH level is best done in the early afternoon.
Step 2
Take a trip to your local Garden Centre and purchase a pH Test Kit for ponds. Once you have your kit you should read through the manufacturer’s usage instructions carefully in order to achieve the right balance in your pond water.
Step 3
Normally you should see pH levels between 7.2 and 7.8. Anything above 8 can damage the plants and pond life, such as fish.
Step 4
Ask the Pond Specialist at the Garden Centre of ways to either increase or decrease pH levels. There are a number of products on the market that can achieve this and again you should carefully read the application instructions which will be printed on the packaging.
Quick Tip: You can use baking soda to increase and Miracle-Gro to decrease the pH levels. If you decide to use either of these do so in very small quantities and check the pH levels in the water each day until you get it just right.
Step 5
If you are having problems then test your water once every week and keep adjusting the pH levels. Regardless of whether you are having issues it is still a good idea to check the pH levels in your pond once a week. If the pH levels become too low or too high then you are likely to see your pond-life starting to die, this will include plant life and any fish you may have.
Step 6
Don’t let algae or duckweed take control as it can increase the water pH levels significantly.
