BonniesPlants.com

Good morning--Just did water tests (with strips).I thought I might post the results. They seem okay especially for a new pond but let me know what you think. Nitrate-0 Nitrite-0 KH-120 ALK-80 PH-7.2. We added the solar salt but the salinity dosen't register on the reefractometer. Is there a # to target for SG? Water is a little green but am placing an order for more plants and may run down for another water lettuce and frogbit. Also the last two days here have been cloudy rainy and 55 degrees. That is a 15-20 degree sudden drop in temperature. We also did about 100 gal water change yesterday and redosed with Superbugs. Thanks Jeanne

Check Bonnie’s web site for salt I am pretty sure that water lettuce does not like it. I personally do not like the strips I have found them to be very inaccurate in the past and now use only the test which use test tubes and drops.
You will probably have to buy a salinity meter if you want to keep the levels low enough for some of the plants. Again Bonnie has what you need on her supplies page. Those numbers are fine (though again personally I like the ph a little higher).
John-Paul

John-Paul is correct - Test strips are not accurate and a total waste of time and money! You really do need drop type test kits.

Bonnie

Thanks for the input. The tip page on salt is very interesting. Does everyone use salt? The person at the nursery just told me to use the solar salt before adding the fish. i was adding it to help acclimate the fish. I didn't realize that it could harm the plants. Do some ponders not use it all? Or is it something to just use for start up? When I did 100gal water change I added a handful in the waterfall and more Superbugs. The plants are doing really well and the fish seem active and eat 1 pinch of flake a day. The water is a tad greenish. It is clear to see through but not sparkling. I have ordered several plants and think that will help with nutrient export and lead to clearer water. The pond was 3 weeks old yesterday.
Jeanne

IMHO the solar salt is just a gimmick. It is unbelievably expensive and makes the seller a lot of money…If you want to use salt buy the 99.9 % pure salt like the salt used in a water softener or pool. (Do not use the one which has additives).
I used a lot of salt in the past but had no plants.
I use just a little to help with osmotic balance in the fish. I throw in a hand full every so often and I have a fairly large pond (could be old habit)
I do keep a quantity on hand if I have a problem which requires it. I will then remove the plants when I treat.

I use the99.9% pure water softener salt in my pond as well. I also have plants but I want a good slime coat on my fish. The water lettuce and Hyacinth are the two that are affected but continue to grow like crazy, the lillies and celery and one other plant I can't remember the name of seem to be unaffected.
J-net

Test strips are not reliable. You need drop type test kits.

With a 3 week old pond and cool water temperatures, I can guarantee you have raging ammonia......Not to be the bearer of bad news but be prepared to loose more if not all fish.

Get a drop type test kit for ammonia and some ammonia binder PRONTO

Bonnie

I should also mention that we've done 100gal water changes once a week right along. We seem to have stayed ahead of any major issues. The fish are active and eating. The water is clear and the plants are growing and the hyacinth are flowering. It did go through a green phase but seems to have reached a balance. Thanks for the warning. We have kept amquel on hand ever since we started keeping the saltwater tanks. It sure can be a lifesaver.