Is low KH / Alkalinity in mud ponds a problem?

[TexasTravis]

I have been learning the hard way that my existing pond water is very low KH so when I use it in my small 1,000 gallon quarantine pond, I get no/slow bio as well as fish deaths likely caused from ph swings at night. Before I put these fish in the big pond should I be trying to raise the KH? Not sure how to do this economically. I think my pond is roughly 400,000 gallons.

Thanks!

[audioenvy]

When I was in Japan last year, we got permission to measure the water in a mud pond with a TDS tester. It measured 40 ppm. While we did not test KH, I would be shocked if it were higher than 1-2 drops.

[TexasTravis]

When I was in Japan last year, we got permission to measure the water in a mud pond with a TDS tester. It measured 40 ppm. While we did not test KH, I would be shocked if it were higher than 1-2 drops.

I have definitely read somewhere that Japanese mud ponds had low KH.

After doing some google, it does look like a lot of recreational bas/fishing ponds suggest monitoring KH and making sure it is >50. To do it economically, it looks like they are using lime. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fa028

[TexasTravis]

This article also gives a list of the recommended lime types to use: https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/fis...-to-fishponds/

[TexasTravis]

For anyone who cares, I think I will simply use gardening lime from Lowes for my pond. I an get about 20 of these bags for under $100! https://www.lowes.com/pd/Timberline-...lancer/3058417