Now we’re going to find out how much attention you’ve been paying in pond class. Compare your answers with the ones on the score card below. Place an “X” mark in the “O” column beside any that are correct. You’ll notice white areas are left under one or two categories for each question. If your answer is correct also check these white spaces. See the example immediately below where the first question was answered correctly and the second question was answered incorrectly.

When you finish, count the X’s in each column and record your totals below.

Take a highlighter and color over the number that corresponds with the number of correct answers you got in each category.

“WQ” = Water Quality / Water Chemistry

Even if you didn’t get a high score overall — if you scored high in Water Quality / Water Chemistry you are strong in the most important part of pondering. Without good water quality the pond cannot support fish and other pond life. You know how important ammonia, nitrites and pH are to the overall health of the pond. You also know how to keep the water crystal clear. If you scored somewhere in the middle you may know enough to be dangerous. Don’t worry, we were all there at one time or another. This is a very important part of pondering and should not be ignored. Again — read up on the subject and ask us about any specific problems your pond may be experiencing. If you’re a beginner we suggest learning about water quality first.

“PL” = Water Plants

High marks in Water Plants means you enjoy the gardening part of water gardens. Keep it up! Water plants are fun and easy to learn for those who may not know enough about them yet.

“DC” = Pond Design & Construction

Those who score high in Pond Design & Construction have probably built one, if not more than one, themselves. You understand the mechanics and should feel confident in your abilities to build a healthy pond environment as well as a pretty one. Don’t worry if you didn’t score high. Some of us are not plumbers but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy a beautiful pond.

“FH” = Fish Health

Fish Health is truly one of the toughest areas to conquer but if you’ve ever had a problem with sick koi or goldfish you know how necessary it is. High scores indicate you’ve been reading up on the subject and you’ve been through some health problems with your pond.

Those who scored high overall but lower on the fish health portion of the test should not feel bad. Fish health is not something learned in school. It takes years of experience to become comfortable with your own abilities to diagnose and treat. For those who score low in fish health — we are here to help. Don’t let it get you down. Any pond person who’s had problems with fish health will tell you — the more you learn the more there is to learn!

“FV” = Fish Varieties

Fish Health and Fish Varieties do not always go hand-in-hand. The Doc knows fish health better than me and I know the varieties better than him. If you scored high in Fish Varieties you’re probably the kind of person who enjoys trivia and knowing the words to songs. Knowing the names of all the different varieties of koi and goldfish are not as important to the day-to-day workings of the pond as water quality and fish health but it’s a lot more fun! If you scored low in this category and enjoy knowing what the different colors and patterns of the fish mean you are in for a treat as you begin to learn them. Start by trying to identify any koi and goldfish in your pond now.