don't know about the chemicals, ask the pet shop man.

Ask "the pet shop" man? !!!!!!!!!!!!

If pet shop people were all trained/knowledgeable individuals there would
not be the need for rec.groups. You must have a great shop with
knowledgeable individuals to suggest that, unfortunately, that is the
exception, not the norm, you are very lucky.

New pond:

All the plants you can afford and fit in. Treat the Chloramines, wait 48
hours, add 2 fish and wait till next year (assuming OP is in an area where
fall is just around the corner).

Test kits: Aquarium Pharmaceuticals as already suggested, Ammonia, the 2
bottle tester that lets you know if you've detox the ammonia in the
chloramines, Nitrite, pH & KH test kits. Order from www.thatpetplace.com
fresh and usually cheaper.

Though I like NutraFin/Hagen's brand of pH kit as they have a wide range
test from 4.5 up to 9.5, and a really nice *printed on the box* expiration
date, so you know for sure.

Have Amquel or similar on hand, not just for detoxing the chloramines, but
when ammonia shows up on the test kit. Salt to detox nitrites. If you only
add 2 fish, you should have very little noticeable cycle or problems, ime.
~ jan


See my ponds and filter design:
http://users.owt.com/jjspond/

~Keep 'em Wet!~
Tri-Cities WA Zone 7a
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