Koi Pond in India -Water quality by Titration & by Test Kits

We all know that we have to maintain water quality in the Koi Pods - You have filters doing the Job.

We still need to occasionally check it

Water Quality Parameters 

Image http://www.kockneykoi.co.uk

Ammonia : Ideally 0
Nitrate: Ideally at < 80 ppm. Limit to max 200 ppm. 
Nitrite: Ideally at 0 ppm. Limit to max3 ppm. 
Hardness: about 100 ppm. Limit at 50 ppm min./150 ppm max. 
pH: Ideally at 7.2-7.6 Limit at 6.5 min./8.2 max. 

Well by zero don't think its not there - it will be below the reading capability of the particular test that's all.

What is the special relevance to the Koi Hobby in India ?

Just look at the average cost of test kit in India 

Ammonia : Rs 400
Nitrate: Rs  750
Nitrite: Rs  500
Hardness: Rs 500 
pH: Rs 450

Total :2600 Rs 

Now if you want to save all this money and are ready to do some extra  work, you can relearn something that you have forgotten . Titration 

image link http://genchem.rutgers.edu

Yes do you remember the word "molarilty" and what it meant  - good for you, you can do it !

all you need is the burette ,the pipette ,the beaker and of course the stand .(and you get to buy a new shiny one , i have never seen a shiny one in my whole life )

and the acid the base and the Ph indicator .

Yes every Indian who is reading this - even the state syllabus guys have done this  

(Fore the uninitiated , In india we have many syllabus state and central being the main classifications. we have done titration in basic education - i.e before we are 14 years old )

so if you are adventurous enough you can read up , research on google - ask you kids who are still in school -or chase up your old chemistry teacher .(That's something i will never do , she was a sweet lady but I don't want to go near the lab again ,thanks to the "bhayaa" in the lab a.k.a the attender I passed the lab somehow )

I recommend this only for the most adventurous .... and swear by the test kits( i use only Sera) - but one thing still hurts ,

the pH test is too costly , just buy litmus paper from a school lab store this is 50 times cheaper .

pls do feel free to comment and share .