Setting up your new fish pond 
As confusing as it may seem, it is not that hard to establish a healthy environment for your fish. It requires you to pay attention and follow our simple protocols:
1. Add water to your system
2. Use a dechlorinator and heavy metal neutralizer no matter how long the water has set. (Ultra Clear Dechlor does both)
3. Add fish and Ultraclear Filter Start. (This will establish the bacteria colony that consumes ammonia and nitrites) follow up weekly with ultraclear bpc and Natures Defense
4. Add Pond Salt 3 lbs per 100 gallons
5. Ammonia will be introduced from fish urinating, keep pH at 6.8 to 7.5. (Holding at 7.5 is ideal) High pH and high ammonia will rapidly kill your fish.
6. Do not feed until the filter is cycled for 20 days. (If Ultraclear is used)
7. Make a maintenance chart for ammonia, pH, and nitrites for your pond. (Stop in and pick up a free one at Arbordale) Test and record your readings. Test daily until all readings are zero (0) and pH is constant. Test more often after rainfall or adding new fish.
You should have the following test kits: pH, Ammonia, Nitrite, Salt, and optionally Dissolved Oxygen
Pond Salt will protect your fish from some of the burning when Ammonia is present. It also prevents Brown Blood Disease when nitrite is present. Remember...most importantly, Pond Salt will kill seven of the nine harmful parasites that affect your fish. No preventative medicine can be as effective as Pond Salt.
Using Ultraclear filter start or other nitrifying bacteria will reduce the cycle time of your filter from 4-6 weeks to only 20 days!
The nitrifying cycle is complete when ammonia and nitrite test readings are zero(0). It is best to start your new pond with just a few fish. Adding more fish will not speed up the process, it will ony kill your fish. Be sure to check ammonia/nitrite from the bottom of the pond as these compounds are heavier than water. When ammonia or nitrite is present you should do partial water change until readings are zero. Each time you do a partial water change you need to add salt and dechlorinator.