Gill Passman wrote:

BoyPete wrote:

Just why would tap water be saline? It's 'fresh' water.

LOL - I've been dying to ask that question every since I saw the
question of salinity raised in this thread......and BTW I do have a
hydrometer and have checked the tap water (zero of course) but only out
of idle curiousity after checking my marine tanks....

Some fresh water is fresher than others. Anyone who's lived on a well -
especially in arid country - understands the concept of salinity in "fresh"
water.
--
derek
- Unless otherwise noted, I speak for myself, not rec.ponds.moderated
moderators.

I would imagine it would the same.Will check it..............
"George" wrote in message
...

"Paul" wrote in message
. ..
Well according to test strips these are the results: Nitrate 0 Nitrite 0
Ttl Hardness 150ppm Ttl Alkalinity Moderate/80ppm Ph 8.0. The
date
stamped on botton is 03/2006 A lot of algae is in the filter
itself...............Thanks

I also meant to ask you if you've tested the water you are adding to the
pond.

George

Yes, filter is open on top. Will find something to block the light.......
"George" wrote in message
news

"Paul" wrote in message
. ..
Well according to test strips these are the results: Nitrate 0 Nitrite 0
Ttl Hardness 150ppm Ttl Alkalinity Moderate/80ppm Ph 8.0. The
date
stamped on botton is 03/2006 A lot of algae is in the filter
itself...............Thanks

Another thing. If algae is growing in the filter, then I take it that the
filter is exposed to sunlight. I'd change that unless you are talking
about a veggie filter. My filters are fully enclosed, and so no sunlight
gets in. Some algae does occasionally grow on the outside of the
submerged pre-filter canister, however, but that's almost never a problem.
But remember, algae is not necessarily a bad thing. It can be unsightly
and runaway growth is an indication of an imbalance, but you are always
going to have some algae, and that is actually a good thing. You just
want to try to grow the right kind of algae. Do you have any pictures of
your pond and your filtration system that you can post on a photo web
site, and post a link here for us to look at? That would be appreciated.
I would try to get that Ph down (which may be affecting your plants) and
get a new nitrate test kit.

George

I agree to a certain extent, but compared to last year, it seems much more,
the algae that is.
"BoyPete" wrote in message
...
George wrote:
"Paul" wrote in message
. ..
Well according to test strips these are the results: Nitrate 0 Nitrite 0
Ttl Hardness 150ppm Ttl Alkalinity Moderate/80ppm Ph 8.0. The
date
stamped on botton is 03/2006 A lot of algae is in the filter
itself...............Thanks

The Ph seems to be really high for a freshwater pond. I keep mine at
7.4 or below.

My pond, now 13 months old, has always given 8 to 8.5 for Ph. I've had no
problems.
I have some string algae, and the pond planting is going wild! Algae is a
fact of life, I wouldn't worry about it.
--
ßôyþëtë
London, UK

All i've read about addind salt to ponds was good. Just to make sure you
don't add too much for which a bought a salinity test kit.
wrote in message
. com...
Nobody should add salt to their water until they have done a salt test
to determine the native level of salt in their water. Especially
anyone near a coast. I disagree, there is a lot of evidence that a
low level of salt in the water helps stimulate slime coat and is
protective to fish especially when they get dinged during spawning, or
on rocks, etc. Ingrid

On Wed, 27 Jun 2007 13:57:24 CST, ~ jan wrote:
If there is not a problem with your fish, there is no need for salt...

The strips have a coloer rating for which you compare to and a number as
well.
"~ jan" wrote in message
...
Well according to test strips these are the results: Nitrate 0 Nitrite
0
Ttl Hardness 150ppm Ttl Alkalinity Moderate/80ppm Ph 8.0. The date
stamped on botton is 03/2006 A lot of algae is in the filter
itself...............Thanks

What is the highest reading the pH on the strips goes to? If only 8.0, it
could be much higher. What is the % of salt currently in the water?

If there is not a problem with your fish, there is no need for salt...
unless you have a nitrite reading. The strips though are not the way to go
for reading that, just not reliable enough, plus they're pricey if using 1
or more/day.

Expired 3/06? They either are way out of date, or expired 3/07, which
still
means expired. I highly recommend getting liquid test kits. American
Pharmaceuticals... Or better, easier, a tad more money, but you can buy
refills rather than the whole kit, Nutrafin/Hagen test kits. They're test
for Ammonia is instant read (no 5 minute wait), and only 1 bottle needed,
doesn't show ammonia when Amquel used. Get the Wide Range pH kit.

I haven't tried their Nitrite or KH kit, but I plan to switch entirely
over
to their kits when next I purchase. Plus they have a very clear expiration
date printed on the box. ~ jan
------------
Zone 7a, SE Washington State
Ponds: www.jjspond.us

"George" wrote in message
...

"Reel McKoi" wrote in message
...
That's where it's probably going!

There has to be some, otherwise the algae would not continue to grow.
=========================
Sure it's being produced, sure is some - and the algae is soaking it up "as
fast" as it's produced. :-)
--
RM....
Frugal ponding since 1995.
rec.ponder since late 1996.
My Pond & Aquarium Pages:
http://tinyurl.com/9do58
Zone 6. Middle TN USA
~~~~ }((((* ~~~ }{{{{(ö