When is it time for a water change?

[MeAko]

I have a 1,000G pond. Started it early August. I believe I've done a 20% water change on it 3x or so since. My last water change was about 3 weeks ago.

I was just too busy watching ammonia, never bothered with Nitrates. I just bought a Nitrate tester yesterday and the results show that it was in between 40-80. I'm color blind and could never figure out these friggin' API tests. My wife said its 80, my kids say its 40, so I say maybe its about 60-70.

Time for a very good water change I guess.

Water changes are a BIG deal when you're dealing with hundreds of galloons.

 

[MeAko]

I just did a 25% or so water change and did a quick Nitrate test and although it's a bit lighter red, it's still red, so likely 20-40ppm range. I wish there were testers for color challenged individuals like myself.