Question
Hi,  I have a 350 gallon pond that seems to be running well except for a high pH.  We are on well water and it comes out of the tap that way.  I have tried several things to lower the pH with no positive results.  I am afraid the pH is what it is.  I am curious where I can find a list of water plants that don't mid a high pH.  Hyacinth is a goner in my pond, the water lilies do okay (I won't win any awards with them).  I have not tried anything else.  I am also curious if it is normal for your fish (I have orandas) to hang out in the bottom of the pond...not always but often.  They seem to be much more active when you see them in the pet shop in the tanks.  Mine occasionally look like 747's parked around "Water Lilly Container" Airport.
Thanks for your help,
Jane

Answer
What is your pH?  If it's 8.5 or lower, that's usually fine.  If it's higher than that, you really should try to bring it down.  They sell pH down which is sulfuric acid but you can also use hydrochloric acid (sold at pool stores cheap but called muriatic acid).  Few plants like a higher pH.  If you had an aquarium, then java fern and moss might be an option.  In a pond, I'm afraid I'm not sure which are more tolerant of high pH (and presumably high hardness).  You would have to do the trial and error method.  My well water is very soft (the opposite) but, invariably, at least half of the pond plants I buy die in short order.  Marginals should be more tolerant of high pH than submerged and floating plants.

Goldfish should be swimming all around if they have enough cover, are healthy, and feel secure.  Fancy goldfish like orandas tend to lay around more often as it's harder for them to swim.  Orandas have a higher mortaility in ponds than single-tailed goldfish because they're more sensitive and more apt to be caught by predators.

If your water lilies are alive, the pH can't be too high because they're pretty sensitive too.  I'm sorry I couldn't answer your question.

Good luck!