GUIDES
What to test first (and why)
Before you chase treatments, confirm these basics. Most “mystery” pond issues start here.
1) Ammonia
Goal: 0. Any reading needs action.
2) Nitrite
Goal: 0. Often appears after filter disturbance or cycling issues.
3) pH (stability matters)
Check night vs morning if fish are flashing. Swings often mean low KH.
4) KH / alkalinity
KH is the “stability battery.” Low KH causes pH drift and stressed fish.
5) Temperature
Temperature changes what’s safe, what works, and how fast fish recover.