Testing Water from your pond

You are here: Home > Koi Ponds > Test Kits

Testing water in your pond and water garden is an easy way to identify sources of pond problems. The use of water testing kits is the most important first step to take when managing a pond.

Once you test for the basic parameters, you can call or email us for an interpretation of your results.

FOR FISH PONDS AND WATER GARDENS: The most important parameters for water testing are pH, Chlorine/chloramine (if you refill with public water),ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, alkalinity, total hardness, and phosphate.

FOR EARTHEN BOTTOMED LARGE PONDS: The most important parameters for water testing are pH and alkalinity. If in addition, there are high populations of fed fish such as fish rasing facilities, all the parameters for water gardens need to be monitored. pH: Is best when between 7.5 and 8. pH correction is recommended when values are out of this range.

Use water testing kits and adjusters to keep your pond environmentally friendly for all pond life.

pH adjusters and buffers maintain optimal conditions for natural beneficial bacterial functions.

Dechlorinators are essential for safe use of public water in ponds with fish.

Mineral salt is one of nature''s best and safest medicines

Barley Straw treatments are most effective when the pH is above 7.5. Test pH first thing in morning to identify minimum levels. Test at dusk to identify maximum level. A large difference between morning and night indicates the need for ''buffing''.

Nitrite is highly toxic to fish and is frequently a problem in new or restarted bio filters of water garden ponds.

Nitrate is less toxic but can build up to toxic levels in water gardens which do not receive periodic water changes.

Sort By:

Page of 1

Microbe-lift 5 in 1 Test Strips

Our Price: $16.00

Test for pH, alkalinity, total hardness, nitrate and nitrite.

The single most important test kit to have for either water gardens or earthen bottomed large ponds.

Easy to use dip strips. Color develops within seconds. Compare to color chart on container for instant interpretations. Allows you to easily TRACK critical WATER QUALITY parameters with 1 TEST.

Contains 50 test strips each.

Microbe-lift Ammonia Test Strips

Our Price: $16.00

Test for Ammonia, a product of fish waste and highly toxic to fish. Allows you to easily monitor ammonia levels to keep the water quality safe for fish and other aquatic life.

Microbe-lift Chlorine / Chloramine Test Strips

Our Price: $16.00

Important for all ponds that are filled / refilled with chlorinated public water. Chlorine is deadly to fish. Monitor the chlorine concentrations to reduce the potential for TOXICITY. Contains 50 test strips.

Microbe-lift Nitrite / Nitrate Test Strips

Our Price: $16.00

Tests for nitrate and nitrite. Easy to use dip strips. Color develops within seconds. Compare to color chart on container for instant interpretations. Helps to determine if POND is CYCLING Helps easily MONITOR fluctuating levels of: ? NITRATE which can stimulate unwanted algae growth ? NITRITE which can be harmful to fish Nitrate/ Nitrite test strips give you the ability to know when a water change is needed in your aquarium or pond. Nitrite/ Nitrate test strips are fast and easy to use, with no wet or hazardous chemicals. FRESHWATER: Dip one test strip into water sample for 2 seconds. Remove and hold level, do not shake. Wait 1 minute and match to best color on the color chart. Complete matching within 15 seconds. SALTWATER: Dip one test strip into the water sample for 2 seconds. Remove and hold level, do not shake. Wait 1 minute and match Nitrite (second pad) to best color on the color chart. At 2 minutes match NITRATE (first pad) to best color on the color chart. Complete all matching within 15 seconds. NITRATE/NITRITE test strips give you an indication of your nitrate/nitrite concentrations which can build up in your aquarium or pond due to uneaten food, waste, bacteria, and oxidation. Nitrate/Nitrite test strips also inform you when the levels have become potentially harmful and a water change is needed. Contains 50 strips each.

Microbe-lift Phosphate Test Kit

Our Price: $16.00

Tests for Phosphate. Salt & Fresh Water Use Managing phosphate levels is the most natural way to AVOID ALGAE blooms The original Single-dip Test Procedure Note: If saltwater appears cloudy match to the closest color spot. Use 1 test strip for freshwater, use 2 test strips for each saltwater test. TEST PROCEDURE: 1. Add the water sample to be tested to the top line of one vial. Dip one (1) phosphate strip for freshwater or two (2) strips for saltwater into the vial for 30 seconds with a constant, gentle up and down motion. Remove the strip from the vial and discard. 2. The sample water in the vial will be yellow (0.0ppm), green (0.2-1.0ppm) or blue (>2.0ppm), depending on the concentration of phosphate. Place the sample vial on the white circles. Viewing from the top, slide the vial between color spots until the best color match is found. The best color match equals the phosphate concentration. Complete the color matching within 30 seconds. Phosphate ? Phosphate occurs naturally in the environment. It is an essential nutrient required for algae growth. Since phosphates come from a variety of sources, it is recommended that you test your phosphate levels when you open/close your pond and weekly throughout the season. *Phosphate levels may be lowered through partial water changes or the use of water treatments. Phosphate Level Guide less than 0.2 ppm ? good 0.3 ppm ? acceptable 0.5 ppm to 1.0 ppm ? high *Treatment required 1.0 ppm to 5.0 ppm ? very high * Treatment required This test is designed to test for the presence of orthophosphate. Contains 50 strips each.

Salt Level Test Kit

Our Price: $12.00

By Pond Care. Don't just guess your salt level, know for sure with this easy to use kit.

Wide Range pH Test Kit by Pond Care

Our Price: $7.50

Fast, easy and accurate. pH 5.0 to 9.0. Results in moments. Instructions in English, Spanish, and French,

Water testing is easy, inexpensive, and invaluable for troubleshooting pond problems.