The pH is in all respects a
measure of acidity and alkalinity, pH 0 - 6.99 is acid; pH 7.0 is regarded as
neutral and pH 7.01 - 14.0 is alkaline. On the whole the pH is not generally a
problem but it can have a profound effect on the toxicity of ammonia. Alkaline
water, that is with a pH of over 7.01 in combination with increasing temperatures
causes more of the ammonia to exist in the free form, which is very poisonous to
fish.
The higher the pH and water temperature the greater
percentage of the ammonia which exists in this harmful free form. If the water is
alkaline it is worth bearing in mind that this will affect the toxicity of ammonia
and that even very low readings could therefore be quite serious for the welfare of
the pond fish.
The pH of the pond is largely dependent on the
pH of the make-up water in the surrounding area and therefore it is not possible to
try to control this parameter artificially. |