Question
Hello Raf, This spring I put in a small pond with a fountain (150 GALLONS). The filter was a pre filter spong and had sever algae problem.About 2 weeks ago I emptyed the pond and started over after getting a uv filter and a bio filter. The water is clear and algae free, but my nitrate level has went up to .25 and ammonia level went up to .50, kh is 53.7, and the ph is ok at 7.5. i added SapHguard ph buffer a week ago when kh was 71.6 but has didnt seem to help with raising the kh level. Should the nitrat and ammonia levels be a concern with a new pond and how can I raise the kh safely. I read that using a buffer when ther is ammonia present could be dangerouse to the fish so Im hesitant in adding more SapHguard. Thank you for your time. marsha

Answer
Hi Marsha,

Thank you for your e-mail.
Getting new ponds "on track" can be difficult as filters can take up to 1 or 2 years to get up to speed.
A filter needs to start up and can take some time.
Normally you first measure ammonia, after the ammonia there is a raise in nitrite and then nitrate.
You need to monitor closely and if ammonia is to high you best need to do regularly water changes of approximate 20% and follow de value closely.
Also check tab water as it can also contain a certain amount of ammonia / nitrite / nitrate.
You can add KH+ but only with 1 degree / 2 days to be safe in your case.
Also you can add some bacteria for filter start up.
Best way is to give the pond time to adjust and just do some smaller water changes and try to raise the water values with one degree a time.
The PH is ok, so you do not need to add something for the PH, just monitor is.
Also note this can fluctuate a little during the day (Approximately 1 degree higher in the evening).
I level my KH with natriumbicarbonate (3 g/M?for one KH point).
However try do do as little actions as possible, just small adjustments as the fish can stress out!
Just monitor the ammonia first and do water changes if necessary.
Watch the fish as ammonia can kill your fish quickly if high for some days)
Then adjust KH to the best level possible.
Then check nitrate levels and if no plants or little plants are available do water changes regularly of 5 to 10%.

Hope this helps.
Good luck!

Kind regards,
Raf