Pond: Koi Pond Chemistry — Support

Need help?

Email roman.kopaliani@gmail.com with your question. Please include:

• What you were trying to do
• What happened
• The iOS version and iPhone or iPad model you're using (Settings → General → About)
• The app version (Pond → Settings → About Pond → Version)

Common questions

The dose amounts don't match what's on my product's label

Pond uses each brand's published dose math at the time the app shipped. Manufacturers reformulate, and label rates do change between bottlings — always read your current label and adjust if it differs from the in-app value. You can switch your preferred brand (Microbe-Lift, API Pondcare, Tetra Pond, or generic) in Settings, and Pond will re-cite that brand's dose math.

Why does Pond warn me about KH before it warns me about pH?

In a koi pond, KH (carbonate hardness) is the safety net that keeps pH stable. Below ~75 mg/L the pH can swing wildly with daily algae respiration; below 50 mg/L the pH can crash overnight and kill fish. Pond fixes KH first because a "low pH" warning treated by pushing pH up without fixing KH will fail within 48 hours.

Why does the salt-bath calculator warn me about my plants?

Salt at 0.1 % or higher is toxic to most submerged pond plants (water lilies, lotus, hornwort, etc.). If you marked "has live plants" in Settings, Pond warns you before recommending a salt-bath protocol and suggests moving the fish to a quarantine tank for treatment. Turn the plants setting off if you don't keep any.

Why does free ammonia matter when my test kit reads total ammonia?

Most hobby test kits read total ammonia (TAN). The toxic form for fish is free ammonia (NH₃), which is a small fraction of TAN that grows quickly as pH and temperature rise. Pond uses the EPA Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Ammonia (1999 / 2013) to convert your TAN reading into free NH₃, then warns you when free NH₃ crosses acute toxicity thresholds. A "low" total ammonia at high pH and warm water can still be dangerous.

Should I trust this app for my exact pond chemistry?

The app provides brand-cited dose guidance based on manufacturer documentation and standard koi-keeping practice. It is not a substitute for your own observation, an experienced koi vet, or your test kit. Always re-test after adjusting, and consult a vet before treating valuable specimens.

Does the app work offline?

Yes — Pond never connects to the internet. Everything runs locally on your device.

How do I delete my data?

Delete the app from your iPhone or iPad. All local data is removed along with it.

Safety reminder

Pond chemistry can change fast and the cost of a mistake is fish lives. Add chemicals slowly (typically 10–30 minutes near a pump return), re-test 4 or more hours later, and never replace more than 30 % of the water in a single change. KH below 50 mg/L is an emergency — fix it before adjusting anything else. Salt baths above 0.3 % are toxic; do not exceed even briefly. Store concentrated pH adjusters and pond chemicals out of reach of children, add chemicals to water (not water to chemicals), and wear eye protection when handling concentrated solutions.