From what I have read so far, I need to have a ph test kit and a test kit for ammonia for my pond to start out with. I have the ph kit but what should I be looking for in an ammonia test kit? Does it need to be strickly for a pond? Is buying one like going to the store and picking out a can of soup or is it a little more technical than that? I have a pond that is a little over 100 gallons and has 3 Goldfish in it. I have had the fish for about 3 weeks now and am wondering about the water quaility that they are living in.
TIA

Pretty much like going to the store and picking out a can of soup.

I use the Quick Dip Pond Multi Test Strips available at most pet/fish stores. I think I got mine at PetsMart. Tests for Nitrite, Nitrate, hardness, pH, and alkalinity. All 5 tests are on one strip; just dip and compare readings against color coded chart provided.

Thanks Johnnyboy! Sounds like a no brainer then :)

There are many different test kits available. There are different chemicals. There are different brands. There are different methods of testing - liquid, dry tab, and dip stick. I have all three although some are way past their expiration. The dip stick is the hardest to read accurately but the most convenient. They generally don't work so well after a year. I like the liquid test kits as they're easy to use and last longer. The dry tabs last the longest but usually require more steps. Luckily, the two test kits that you need the most - pH and ammonia - normally only require a single step in the test. I have the following test kits: pH, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, hardness, alkalinity, salt, iron (for planted tanks), and oxygen. For most ponds, I suggest getting at least the first three tests but you really should know the hardness and alkalinity at some point. The salt and oxygen tests are also helpful. So, how many tests you get depends on your personal desires, money, and availability. I mail order my test kits for half the price of the local chain pet store. I use mostly test kits that are made for aquariums to test my ponds. Water is water. The pond test kits tend to be multi-test kits or more expensive for what they are. I've never bought when of the pond test kits because they tend to have tests I don't need and lack ones I do need. I buy the tests individually.

Most test kits are accurate enough for what we need but sometimes they give the wrong results because they are old or otherwise not functioning correctly. It's also very hard to compare colors and notice slight differences in many of the test kits. For that reason, if I do a test and something is off (bad result), I always test it on my other tests kits. I have like 6 pH tests and 3 ammonia. They do NOT always agree.

No brainer? My brain's pretty fried trying to explain. I guess I have no brain. Hey, maybe that's why I can't read the test kits very well despite a Masters in analytical chemistry!

Hi Robyn!

I like the idea of mail order b/c I live out in the sticks and it's hard sometimes to get to town. Also with gas prices it is easier to order online :)

Can you recommend a website for the test kits that you purchase by chance?

After reading your posts and website I can see why your brain is fried. I get quite exhausted just reading :lol:

Drs. Foster and Smith have a pretty good selection of test kits/strips/drops/etc.; of course that recommendation comes from a layman not a biologist.

I also prefer the color strips, mainly for ease of use (I also have drops); again layman not biologist.

If ordering from DF&S online; use the link off Robyn's page, that'll give her some points/credits.

I mail order almost all of my animal, aquarium and pond supplies from:

http://www.thatpetplace.com and
http://www.drsfostersmith.com which is more expensive but has a wider selection of products, some of which TPP doesn't have.