The pH value is essential for a he althy biological balance not only in the garden soil, but also in the garden pond. Regular checks and the right source for filling a pond are therefore essential for every pond owner.
What pH value should a garden pond have?
The ideal pH value for a he althy garden pond is between 7 and 8. To achieve and maintain this value, fill the pond with a mixture of rain and tap water and check the pH value regularly Test strips.
What pH value must be for a he althy pond
Soft water is generally proclaimed to be cheaper for washing clothes and for the skin. In soft water, i.e. water with a low pH value, soaps are dissolved more easily and no limescale deposits form. Because soft water is usually cheaper than hard water when watering plants, one might think that the water in a garden pond should also be as soft as possible. But it's not quite that simple.
In fact, a pH value that is too high is not good for a garden pond. In conjunction with other chemical processes, it can lead to an explosive proliferation of algae, i.e. the dreaded algae bloom.
Water that is too soft is just as critical. Even though many fish and plants prefer soft water, a pH value in the pond that is too low can lead to a sudden drop in the value due to the lack of buffering. This in turn can be fatal for fish.
To remember:
- Pond water should be neither too soft nor too hard
- too high pH increases the risk of algal blooms
- too low pH value can lead to extreme drops and fish deaths
How to achieve the correct pH value for the pond water?
The ideal water for a pond is water that is neither too hard nor too soft. Specifically, the value should be between 7 and 8.
Which water to use for filling?
To achieve such a medium-hard environment, you should neither fill your pond with soft rainwater nor with lime-containing tap water. Of course, if the tap water in your area has a suitable pH value, you can use it. But if it contains lime, a mixture of rain and tap water is recommended.
Regulate pH value in the long term
Later you should regularly check your pond water for its pH value. This is very easy to do with test strips (€4.00 on Amazon) from specialist retailers. To compensate for a value that is too low, lime can be added to the water. If it is too high, you can work with a small peat bag hanging up for a few weeks given the large water volume that a pond has compared to an aquarium.
