Step 1: Dechlorinate Water
Chlorine and chloramines are added to city water supplies to make water safe for human consumption. However, these substances are extremely harmful to aquatic life. Chlorine and chloramine can cause both fish and plant death if left untreated in the pond. To prevent this damage from occurring CrystalClear® Dechlorinator Dry or Liquid to your pond with each water exchange or when beginning a new pond. CrystalClear® Dechlorinator will work to break the chlorine/chloramine bonds to remove both substances from the water column.

Step 2: Pond Water Testing
A clear healthy pond begins with good water quality. Testing pond water when the pond is first filled and periodically for pH, Nitrite and Buffering Capacity helps to insure all environmental factors are within safe ranges. If these measures are within their safe ranges, as indicated on the bottle, then most pond water is fine. If the measures are higher or lower than the strip indicates then preventative measures need to be taken. CrystalClear® Test Strips will safely and accurately measure your pond's most important parameters.

Step 3: Buffer Pond Water
It is very important for ornamental ponds to maintain a buffering capacity of 80-240 ppm for proper pH stabilization. All pond water is affected by pH. Alkalinity or acidity will determine whether pH is high or low, respectively.

CrystalClear® Buffer will help to prevent wide pH swings which are very common in ornamental ponds from dusk to dawn due to fish respiration and photosynthesis. A properly buffered pond resists change in pH due to acid rain and other external factors.

Step 4: Test Pond Water Again
Once the pond has been buffered with CrystalClear® Buffer it is always a good idea to retest the water with CrystalClear® Test Strips to make absolutely sure that the pH of the water is within safe ranges. If pH reads 8.0 or above (bright orange) then the pH of the water is alkaline. If pH reads 6.5 or lower (light orange) then the water is acid. A reading of 7.0 is neutral or optimum for pond water. Should pH fall between 6.5 and 8.0 then no remediation should be required, however any extreme change should be corrected by Step 5.

Step 5: Raise pH/Lower pH
Plant photosynthesis, acid rain and other external factors will often drive the pH of pond water down to dangerous levels. By applying CrystalClear® pH Salts Up the pH of the water will slowly raise to within safe levels.

It is extremely important to adjust pH of pond water slowly. A recommended 0.2 points per day is safe for fish and plants. A drastic change in pH may cause stress or even death in ornamental fish. CrystalClear® pH Salts Up will safely raise pond water pH. If the pH of water is too high (Above 8.0), lower pH with CrystalClear® pH Salts Down.

Step 6: Add Water Clarity Products
After the pond has been primed it is now ready to be seeded with bacteria to help keep the water clear and healthy. This can be accomplished by applying CrystalClear® Biological Clarifier (Dry), CrystalClear® WS, CrystalClear® Biological Clarifier (Liquid), or CrystalClear® Nitrifier.

Note: Once your pond has been primed and all the parameters have been brought into line, it is a good idea to add plant life to the pond. This will not only add beauty to the pond, but it will provide shade for fish and act as a natural filter. To keep plants healthy and happy, fertilize them with CrystalClear® Aquatic Plant Fertilizer.

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