With a simple water test you will know if your pond water has the correct composition. The correct composition of the water is essential to make a succes out of your garden pond. This is the fundament for crystal clear water with healthy fish. To test the pond water you can use the Colombo Quicktest strips or Aquatest dripping tests. The Quicktest is easy to use and will give you an indication of pH, KH, GH, Nitrite and Nitrate. With the Aquatest dripping tests you can make accurate measurements of all water parameters including Ammonia and Phosphate.

You don’t have water test data?

The correct composition of the water is of great importance, this is why we advise you to do a water test and to enter the water values in the Pond Check application. Incorrect water values can cause algae growth or fish diseases!

Go to Algae guide without doing a water test
Step1

Do you have data from a water test? Enter the values here

pH-Value

The pH is a mathematical reference for the amount of acids dissolved in pond water. The pH can have a value between 0 and 14. A low pH means the water is acid; high pH means the water is alkaline. Large fluctuations in the pH are harmful for fish. This can have a very negative effect, especially when a filter is started.

7.0

KH-Value

The correct Carbonate Hardness (KH) is mandatory for clear pond water and healthy fish and plants as well as a stable pH. KH is a measurement for the total amount of dissolved carbonates in the pond water. When the KH is too low the pH can fluctuate which is very harmful for the aquatic life.

6.0
°DH

GH-Value

A correct General Hardness (GH) is essential for clear water. GH is a measurement for the total amount of dissolved minerals in the pond water, which mainly consist of Calcium. These minerals are essential for the well being of your fish and plants.

10.0
°DH

NH3-Value (Ammonia)

Ammonia (chemically abbreviated as NH3) is a waste product of fish, which they excrete through their gills and their urine. Ammonia is very poisonous for all water life and thus it is very important to keep the ammonia level zero. Fortunately bacteria in the water break down ammonia into nitrite and subsequently the non-toxic nitrate. The Colombo Bactuur products start and support the filter function.

0.0
mg/l

NO2-Value (Nitrite)

Nitrite (chemically abbreviated as NO2) is produced out of ammonia by the nitrifying bacteria in your aquarium or pond. As nitrite is highly toxic to all water life, it is vital that the nitrite level in the water is zero. The best way to harbor these bacteria is in a biological filter. A new ‘clean’ filter needs time to have a sufficient number of bacteria to grow inside it. You can give this growth a boost by adding the right type of bacteria from the moment the biological filter is started.

0.0
mg/l

NO3-Value (Nitrate)

Nitrate (chemically abbreviated as NO3) is the end product of the degradation of ammonia by nitrifying bacteria in your pond. Nitrate is not toxic for fish and thus is no direct problem for the health of your fish like ammonia or nitrite are; high concentrations however can on the long run lead to algae problems as nitrate is one of the key nutrients for algae. We therefore advise to keep nitrate levels under 50 mg/l.

0.0
mg/l

PO4-Value (Phosphate)

Phosphate (chemically abbreviated as PO4) is one of the waste products produced by fish. Phosphate is not toxic for fishand thus is no direct problem for the health of fish like ammonia or nitrite are. Indirectly, phosphate can lead to algae problems as phosphate like nitrate is one of the key nutrients for algae and plants. We therefore advise to keep Phosphate levels under 1 mg/l.

0.0
mg/l