The pH value is essential for a healthy 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.
Before filling the pond with tap water, the pH value of this should be checked
Which pH value must be for a healthy pond
Soft water is generally proclaimed to be cheaper for washing clothes and for the skin. Soaps dissolve more easily in soft water, i.e. water with a low pH value, and no limescale deposits form. Because soft water is usually cheaper than hard water when watering plants, you might think that the water in a garden pond should be as soft as possible. But it's not that simple.
In fact, too high a pH is not good for a garden pond. In combination with other chemical processes, it can lead to an explosive proliferation of algae, i.e. the dreaded algal bloom.
However, water that is too soft is just as critical. Because even if many fish and plants prefer soft water, a too low pH value in the pond can lead to a sudden drop in the value due to the lack of buffering. This in turn can be deadly for fish.
To remember:
- Pond water must be neither too soft nor too hard
- pH that is too high increases the risk of algal blooms
- pH that is too low can lead to extreme drop and fish kill
How to achieve the right pH value for the pond water?
Water that is neither too hard nor too soft is ideal for a pond. Specifically, the value should be between 7 and 8.
Which water to use for filling?
In order to achieve such a medium-hard environment, you should neither fill your pond with soft rainwater nor with calcareous tap water. Of course, if the tap water in your area has a suitable pH value, you can use it. However, if it is calcareous, a mixture of rainwater and tap water is recommended.
Regulate the pH value in the long term
Later, you should regularly check the pH of your pond water. This is very uncomplicated with test strips from specialist shops. 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 peat bag suspended for a few weeks given the large volume of water that a pond has compared to an aquarium.