water levels
Hello all, I was reading the recent posts on the site with interest. I have similar questions I was hoping to find answers to. My info is as follows. Pond size is 9,000 to 10,000 gals. Upper water fall, stream and lower waterfall. Two bottom drains with aerators. Two 2.2 bead filters with UV lights. 1 vortex filter in front of one bead filter and the other comes off the savio skimmer. 3 ea. 3/4 hp pumps turning the water over. Water readings pH 9.0, ammonia close to 0, nitrite 0, salt .12, kh 5 drops or 89.5 ppm, gh 9 drops or 161.1 ppm. In trying to find the optimal levels I am getting conflicting info mostly on the gh level. My questions are this, it appears I need to raise the kh level to at least 100 and possibly closer to 200 because of the bead filters. With the pH being high how can I do this without further increasing the pH. Is it to slowly take it up with baking soda? Once this is done do I then add pH down to lower the pH? If so is not one fighting against the other? On the gh side I have read that koi love soft water. I have also read that may current level of gh is optimal. Which is correct and if I need to lower the gh how is that best accomplished? Knowing that you want to make gradual changes which of the levels is it best to correct first? Thanks for any help and I hope I remember all the info necessary. Zach
Category: Ponds-Koi
