Undoubtedly good water quality is fundamentally important to the pond environment. However, there are not really many absolute rules that define high quality water for your pond. It is easy to observe crystal clear water and be convinced that it is high quality as it has an obvious appeal to the human eye. What appeals to the human eye does not necessarily constitute a healthy fish or plant environment though.

It is important to break the link between clarity and quality as many fish will thrive on nutrients in mud when it is available. Mud is most certainly not renowned for its contribution to clear water. Fish are continuously polluting the pond environment and it is wise to ensure that this pollution is managed. Once again though, nature has its methods for dealing with pollutants and these very pollutants are the same eventual food sources for much plant life. A chemically inert body of water is most likely not where your fish would like to live.

So what do you need to manage? Rather than attempting to become a chemist, the best approach to managing water quality is to observe the way your pond thrives, or, preferably not, doesn’t thrive. Fish themselves and the plants will give many indicators to quality issues and understanding these cues will help you to manage the water environment effectively. The Ph of the water can be hinted at by species such as water snails whose shells will be shiny and unblemished in an alkaline environment whilst pitted in an acid environment. Excessive nitrates will be indicated by rapid growth of plant life, particularly algal growth or blanket weed. Tap water may be high in chlorine and if used, this could be indicated by skin irritations on your fish or reddening around the gills.

A key to maintain water quality is to understand the balanced environment that is required in your pond. Ideally the pond should be designed, equipped and stocked so that a balanced water quality will be maintained with minimal intervention. After these preparatory steps have been taken, you should then understand the cues that indicate the balance is not right and only at this point should it be necessary to intervene in managing water quality.