Testing a newly dug pond water for fish viability?

Chris Wilson

Chris Wilson

Chris Wilson

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Anyone into keeping freshwater fish in ornamental or bigger ponds?
I was wondering how you might go about testing the water in a large, year old man made pond, to see if it's viable to introduce freshwater fish. Is this a service anyone offers by post, and how much of a sample, taken form where, do you need? The pond is part of a property package I am thinking of buying, my aim would be to landscape and vermin proof fence the area around the pool, and keep fish in it, and waterfowl on and around it. I would want a reasonable assurance the water wasn't toxic with excess nitrates as the area is bisected with drainage ditches off local agricultural farmland, Thanks. It's been suggested i put some common, cheap freshwater fish in and see if they survive, that's impractical, it's not my pond, it's BIG (2.5 acres plus) and you could put 50 fish in and never see them for months :)
 
You'd see them if they floated :)

You can get testers but for the volume of water you're talking about I'm afraid I'm out of my depth.
 
Go down to your local aquatic shop they should be able to test the water for you. If not buy a master test kit for fresh water ponds roughly £20. Test for PH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate.

Aero

EDIT: They'd only need a small jar full not a lot. (I work in an aquatics shop :))
 
Take a small (kids pop bottle) amount to your local aquatic shop, and get some books on the subject while you're there.
 
Aero said:
Go down to your local aquatic shop they should be able to test the water for you. If not buy a master test kit for fresh water ponds roughly £20. Test for PH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate.

Aero

EDIT: They'd only need a small jar full not a lot. (I work in an aquatics shop :))
Click to expand...

Do I need to try and get a sample from the depths, or will near the bank do?

Thanks.
 
I'd try and get a sample away from the edge as you could have dead/stagnant spots near it. i.e. somewhere with ripple on the surface to show that theres movement there.

Aero

EDIT: nah Gilly just choosing to ignore it the next one we'll get is do you get chips with that... (its not big and not clever but try saying it to someone at your local fish shop and see their "omg not again reaction")
 
WELL I noticed, but thought you were PLUMBING THE DEPTHS a bit, and if encouraged you'd produce FLOTSAM all night until the thread was OVERFLOWING until it SILTED up ;)

A pond becomes a lake when you can ski round it, or so my mate who fancies himself as a barefoot skier tells me.
 
Can I be the girl in the thread and say "get some ducky wuckys in the spring!"
:D
 
Then may be its a lake?!?!?! Who knows!?! I haven't got a clue tbh lol A lot of stuff says then when you need a boat to cross it, its a lake, kind of makes sense!

Aero
 
I think this pic shows about a 1/4 of it, it's not your average Do-It-All pond kit that's for sure, the guy that dug it used some impressive machinery, and shifted a LOT of *hit! It's surprising what some people do behind a modest 3 bedroom house :)

lake.jpg
 
Can I go and live on the island in the middle please. Have always wanted to do that.
 
Tbh I'd imagine the water quality would be quite good anyway but with regards to stocking it I'd put some common/mirror carp in the and have it as a fishing lake :)

Aero

very nice lake though
 
As said your local Aquatic shop can test the water but this would only
accuratley tell you your PH & Hardness.

For the other Ammonia > Nitrate and Nitrate normally will be at zero and will
only peak during the introduction of fish as there is a strain on put on the
breakdown of the waste.

Normally your filters will catch up after a bit but in a pond that size you
would probably let it do it naturally.General rule is more water less hassle.

What about stocking it with trout and turn into your own fishery as it seems a
bit big to stock with Koi etc as you would never see them.


EDIT - What a Whopper!!!! puts my 6ft pond to shame a bit
 
Last edited:
Hi Chris,

Where abouts in the Shire is this ? looks lovely :)

Aerating the water might be a good idea aswell..
 
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