A L A B A M A A & M A N D A U B U R N U N I V E R S I T I E S

ANR-232
Liming Fishponds
A dding agricultural lime to ponds with low
alkalinity (less than 20 mg/l) can greatly
increase productivity. Lime affects the system
in several ways. Lime acts as a buffer maintaining
the pH between 7 and 8.5. Broader swings in pH
can test pond bottom soils to determine the amount
of lime needed. To obtain a good representation of
the entire pond, several samples (3 to 6 per acre)
should be taken from different areas of the pond
bottom including the deep, shallow, and upstream
can be very stressful to the organisms in the pond. ends as well as near the dam. Mud from deep areas
Lime also changes the chemistry of the water and of the pond can be sampled using a can attached to
pond soils making nutrients more available to the end of a pole (Figure 1). Samples should be thor-
aquatic organisms, especially algae. Calcium from oughly mixed and allowed to dry completely. Place
the lime is a valuable nutrient for many organisms the dried, combined sample in a sample box avail-
in the pond including snails and other animals that able from your county Extension agent or the
are important food for fishes. Lime can also Auburn University Soil Testing Laboratory. Mail
enhance the supply of carbon to highly productive
algae.
Many ponds in Alabama collect water from
watersheds with soils of very low alkalinity, the
ability to neutralize acid. Exceptions are in areas of
the state with significant limestone including the
Black Belt region where the soils are derived from
weathered limestone. Ponds with low alkalinity
(less than 20 mg/l) typically respond poorly to the
addition of fertilizer. Either the algae bloom never
becomes dense leaving the water clear even after
the addition of fertilizer or the bloom is short lived.
Typically, low alkalinity ponds have very clear
water. A disk lowered into the water is visible to
depths greater than 24 inches (Secchi disk depth).
Sometimes, the water is brown stained as well.
Without productive algae, there simply is not
enough food in these low alkalinity ponds for
the small animals that are food for fish.

Testing for Lime Requirements

Water from ponds in areas of Alabama without
alkaline soils, the majority of the state, should be rou-
tinely tested for alkalinity. A small sample of water, a
pint or so, taken from the surface is adequate for the
test. The sample should not contain mud from the
pond bottom or large amounts of plant material; a
few plant fragments will not affect the test. County
Extension agents can either test the sample or pro-
vide an appropriate contact for the test. For a small
fee, the Auburn University Soil Testing Laboratory Figure 1. A simple sampler for collecting mud from a full pond

www.aces.edu
to the Soil Testing Laboratory, 118 Funchess Hall, linity and pH of the pond is relatively short lived
Auburn University, AL 36849-5411. Clearly mark because the materials are rapidly flushed from the
the sample box fishpond. A schedule of test system. Slaked lime should only be used in ponds
prices can be obtained from the Soil Testing when alkalinity must be raised quickly. Examples
Laboratory (telephone: 334-844-3958). The soil would be to reverse a toxic level of copper sulfate
analysis will provide a lime recommendation of used in algae control or to reduce the level of dis-
lime in tons per acre. This amount should be con- solved carbon dioxide in a period of low oxygen.
sidered a minimum recommended application rate. Under these extreme conditions, no more than 50
pounds per acre should be applied.
Types of Liming Materials Lime waste, by-products of several industries
including paper production, has also been used as a
The term lime is applied to a variety of sub-
liming product for agricultural fields, and it has been
stances containing one or more active ingredients
suggested for use in ponds. Lime wastes contain
in different forms. These can vary greatly in their
primarily calcium carbonate; however, there can
influence on pond chemistry (Table 1). Active
be variable amounts of slaked lime mixed with this
ingredients include burnt lime or quicklime (CaO),
product. While lime waste can be used safely, it
slaked or hydrated lime (Ca(OH)2), agricultural
should be applied in relatively small amounts to
ground limestone in the form of either calcitic lime,
avoid raising the pH to toxic levels. Because small
primarily calcium carbonate (CaCO3), or dolomitic
amounts of lime waste are applied, multiple applica-
lime, a mixture of calcium and magnesium car-
tions per year may be needed to adequately raise
bonate (CaCO3MgCO3).
alkalinity. Ideally, lime waste should be analyzed to
Both quicklime and slaked lime dissolve rapidly determine the percent of slaked lime so the total
in water. Quicklime, in fact, reacts violently with application to the pond can be controlled. Other
water releasing a tremendous amount of heat in the alkaline by-products from industry include boiler
process. Adequate precautions should be taken wood ash and basic slag. These products should be
when handling quicklime to prevent inhalation or tested by the Soil Testing Laboratory before applica-
contact with skin. Both quicklime and slaked tion in ponds. Silicate slags should not be used in
lime can dramatically raise the pH of ponds to fishponds.
levels toxic to fish. The effect on both the alka-

Table 1. Types of Liming Agents and Recommended Rates of Application for Ponds
Lime Type Active Ingredients Application Rates Recommendation
Calcitic lime CaCO3 At least 2 tons per acre Recommended
Dolomitic lime CaCO3, MgCO3 At least 2 tons per acre Recommended
Crushed oyster shells CaCO3 At least 2 tons per acre Recommended; not generally
available in Alabama
Pelletized lime CaCO3, MgCO3 At least 2 tons per acre Not recommended due to
high cost and potential
problems with the binder
Fluid lime CaCO3 Depends on formulation Not recommended due to high
Ca(OH)2 cost and the potential to raise
in some formulations pH to toxic levels
Lime wastes CaCO3, Ca(OH)2 The smaller of either Not generally recommended;
200 lb/acre or the amount this material could raise
required to deliver 50 lb/ pH to toxic levels
acre of Ca(OH)2
Quicklime CaO Less than 50 lb/acre Not recommended; this material
Burnt lime could raise pH to toxic levels
with only short-term effective-
ness.
Slaked lime Ca(OH)2 Less than 50 lb/acre Not generally recommended
Hydrated lime (see exception in the text);
Builders lime this material could raise pH
to toxic levels with only short-
term effectiveness.

2 Alabama Cooperative Extension System

 Unlike quicklime and slaked lime, ground agri-
cultural limestone is not very soluble. This results
in the need for more agricultural lime to be added
to the pond to achieve an effect on its chemistry.
Two or more tons of agricultural limestone per acre
are generally applied to low alkalinity ponds.
Under normal conditions, it is impossible to add
too much limestone to ponds. Adding more lime-
stone to the pond simply increases the time until
lime is needed again.
Ground agricultural limestone is available in
ground, fluid, and pelletized forms. Fluid lime is
more expensive than the dry products and may
contain slaked lime. If the active ingredient in the
Figure 2. Broadcast agricultural limestone from a barge.
fluid lime is calcium carbonate, about twice as
much fluid lime must be applied to achieve the
same effect as finely ground agricultural limestone. The easiest time to lime a pond is before
Pelletized lime is calcitic or dolomitic limestone filling. With the pond dry, the spreader truck can
mixed with a binding agent that breaks up quickly easily apply large amounts of lime to the pond
in water. Pelletized lime is much cleaner and easier bottom and, hopefully, eliminate the need to add
to apply than ground limestone. However, pel- lime for several years.
letized lime is far more expensive than ground lime
and the binding agent can cause a brown stain in Time of Application
ponds. This brown stain, while not directly toxic, Late fall and winter are the best times to correct
can increase the demand for oxygen in the pond the alkalinity of ponds so the water can support the
and shade the oxygen-producing algae, thereby maximum productivity in the following growing
reducing the available dissolved oxygen for fish. season. Applying lime in the winter allows ade-
Ground agricultural limestone is by far the best quate time for it to dissolve. Adding lime during
liming material for ponds. Ground agricultural lime- the growing season also can disrupt the algae
stone is relatively inexpensive, safe for both the bloom by removing nutrients and algae from the
applicator and fish, and provides a long-term water, temporarily reducing productivity and dis-
increase in alkalinity. Ground limestone is made by solved oxygen.
finely grinding various types of limestone or mol- Further information about types of liming mate-
lusk shell (oysters, clams, mussels). The source of rials, influence of alkalinity, and use of lime in
the limestone may affect the cost depending on ponds can be found in Southern Regional
local availability. All sources are equally effective if Aquaculture Center publication 464, Interactions of
ground to equivalent fineness. pH, Carbon Dioxide, Alkalinity and Hardness in
Fishponds.
Methods of Application
Difficulty of application is the only drawback to References
the use of agricultural limestone in ponds. Boyd, C.E. 1990. Water quality in ponds for aquaculture.
Application of 2 tons or more per acre to full Alabama Experiment Station. Auburn, Alabama.
ponds requires that the lime be spread from a Muse, J.K. and C.C. Mitchell. 1995. Paper mill boiler ash
barge in all but the smallest ponds (Figure 2). and lime by-products as soil liming materials. Agronomy
Journal 87:432-438.
Without the aid of heavy machinery, spreading
Wurts, W.A. and R.M. Durborow. 1992. Interactions of pH,
enough limestone to fully neutralize the soils of the carbon dioxide, alkalinity and hardness in fishponds. Southern
pond bottom can be backbreaking work. Many pri- Regional Aquaculture Center publication no. 464.
vate pond consultants have the proper equipment
to lime large ponds for a reasonable fee. For small
ponds, less than about 3 acres, the lime can be
spread from the shore if the spreader can approach
the pond at several points around the shoreline so
the lime will contact the entire pond bottom.

Liming Fishponds 3
 Russell A. Wright, Extension Specialist, Assistant Professor, Fisheries and
Allied Aquacultures, Auburn University
For more information, call your county Extension office. Look in your tele-
phone directory under your countys name to find the number.
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work in agriculture and home economics, Acts of May 8 and June
30, 1914, and other related acts, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Alabama
Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn University) offers educational programs,
materials, and equal opportunity employment to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, religion,
ANR-232 sex, age, veteran status, or disability. ECP, 6M, Revised May 2001, ANR-232