Testing pond water is essential for determining a healthy fish environment. Results from these on-site tests can confirm a healthy environment or give early warning signals for problems in water quality. Using the most technologically advanced portable water testing equipment available, Professional Pond Management can test for a wide range of water quality parameters. A few basic water parameters are listed and defined as follows:

Alkalinity
Alkalinity is a measure of the capacity of water to neutralize acids. Alkalinity of water is due primarily to the presence of bicarbonate, carbonate and hydroxide ions. Alkalinity acts as a stabilizer for daily pH fluctuations. Alkalinity, pH and total hardness affect the toxicity of many substances in water.

Ammonia
Deionized ammonia (NH3) present in pond water is extremely toxic to fish. Even low levels of ammonia can affect the fish's central nervous system, reduce its ability to obtain oxygen from the water and lower resistance to disease. Presence of this form of ammonia in a pond is rare but can be a sign of an excessively overcrowded fish population, chemical pollution and/or excessive organic material rotting in water.

Dissolved Oxygen
The dissolved oxygen test is one of the most important analyses in determining the quality of natural waters. All forms of aquatic life depend on dissolved oxygen for survival. Small amounts of oxygen are diffused into lakes from the atmosphere. Generally, this is not a high enough oxygen concentration to support fish. Most of the available dissolved oxygen is produced by phytoplankton. Phytoplankton use sunlight and carbon dioxide during daylight hours, a process called photosynthesis, to produce dissolved oxygen in lakes and ponds.

Total Hardness
Total hardness is defined as the concentration of calcium and magnesium carbonate in the water. Sufficient hardness levels decrease daily pH fluctuations and are necessary to implement a fertilization program. Calcium is also necessary for proper egg and fry development in fishes.

pH
pH is the measure of the acidity or basicity of the water. The pH of pond water changes throughout the day. pH tends to be lower (more acidic) during night and early morning hours and higher (more neutral to basic) during daylight hours. This process is a result of the carbon dioxide uptake of phytoplankton and is called diurnal fluctuation. pH rarely kills fish but is an indicator of the health of the system.

Phosphorus
Phosphorus is the limiting nutrient in freshwater-in other words, phosphorus is the most important nutrient in fertilizer. Typical liquid pond fertilizer is formulated 10-34-0 meaning 34% of the fertilizer is phosphorus. High amounts of phosphorus will lead to excessive phytoplankton blooms. Introductions of phosphorus levels high enough to create this type of bloom occur from over-fertilization.

Temperature
Water temperature controls the rate of all the chemical reactions in the pond. Temperature affects fish growth and reproduction. Drastic temperature changes can be fatal to fish. Temperature is an important factor in fish stocking, as well. If not performed properly, all the fish could be lost.