Hi,
Run from the 'expert' that said pH of 8.5 is too high. A stable reading
(constant when checked at dawn and again in the sun early PM) of 8.5 is fine
and needs no adjustment. If the numbers vary more than half a unit using the
above test then the KH (alkalinity) needs to be increased. Do this by adding
one half pound of common baking soda per 1000 gallons. Mix in a bucket and
add. Dose the pond and check the pH again the next day and do it again and
again IF needed. The pH will stabilize at approximately 8.4 which is fine.
Growing plants and rain will "use" up this buffering (KH) so check using the
morning and afternoon tests about once a month.
What is your fertilizing program for the plants?
HTH, how
To reply no "NEWS" is good.

"Steele family" wrote in message
...
Thanks to the suggestions given for this problem. looked at the sites
mentioned and learnt a great deal about all sorts of fish diseases!
I went along to the local garden centre/aquarium and asked for advice too.
I
think it is probably Carp Pox as Lee suggested. Was sold some pond salt
to
help with water improvement and hopefully, fish that become more
stress-free!
We also did a ph reading as we do now and then. It was quite highly
alkaline, about 8/8.5.
Last year we had a similar reading and my other half talked to a 'fish'
expert who said he was surprised the fish were still alive with such a
high
ph. Is this correct?
Why is our pond ph so high anyway? The pond plants have been looking
sickly
over the last year or so, never looking like other people's from what I've
seen. It's not just seasonal as in the spring when the plants should be
putting on lots of growth, they don't. Lots of sludge and weed seems to
collect around the base of the plants.
The water lilies never seem to flower well either. Only things that seem
ok
are the irises. Is that because they don't mind the ph so high?
regards,
Liz.