Plastic pond ph high-HELP

[robbor]

I got some little 1" long channel catfish. It was a one shot deal only time i could get them. I put them in a plastic pool until i can go get my pond out of storage. They are in a slightly larger size 4.5' across pool. Its filled the water hycenth, and loaded pretty full of plants. I have a large sponge filter in there and an additional air stone. Its only been running for 2 weeks. About 60, 1" long fish. My ph keeps climbing blue every day. I use ph reducer basicall every day if not 2x a day.
Why is my ph climbing?

 

[GBBUDD]

and what is blue what are the numbers. ph stability is more important then is an actual number

 

[j.w]

and welcome @robbor

 

[BKHpondcritters]

What's your kh? If it's not high enough you'll continue to get ph swings. Don't worry about the number so much as the lack of stability. That's way more stressful on the fish than any actual number. Quit fighting it & make sure your kh is appropriately high.

 

[WaterGardener]

Are you using testing strips? They are not very accurate and if you can get a high range pH liquid test if would be more helpful.

Does blue mean that the pH is 14?

As you have found, using pH down is not a solution. That will just keep your pH fluctuating which is very stressful for your fish and can even kill them. Please stop using that.

You need to find the reason for your pH being at that level and correct that.

What is the pH of your tap water?

 

[Mgessert]

This article has the gory details. pH fluctuates during the day, rising during daytime photosynthesis and falling during respiration at night. New ponds, fertilizer (including fish food), and rapidly growing plants with lots of sunshine can cause more photosynthesis than respiration, leading to overall rising pH. So maybe remove some of the water plants or provide some shade for now.

Managing high pH in freshwater ponds​

This factsheet by the Southern Regional Aquaculture Center (SRAC) gives information on managing high pH in freshwater ponds.

Managing high pH in freshwater ponds

This factsheet by the Southern Regional Aquaculture Center (SRAC) gives information on managing high pH in freshwater ponds.

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