Control Pond Algae for a Clean, Healthy and Beautiful Pond

Discuss – When used as a general tonic for fish, and as a stress reducer, add 2 -1/2 cups full (728g) of Pond Salt for each 100 gallons (378 L) of pond water. Sprinkle salt evenly around the perimeter of the pond.

No matter if it is a decorative pond, water garden, golf course pond or stock tank, nothing drives pond owners crazier than an infestation of pond scum or pond algae. The only thing that equals the frustration of seeing it, is trying to control it. The ability to identify the type of algae in a pond and then to limit the nutrients available to it goes a long way in preventing pond algae growth.

There are 3 basic types of pond algae:

Planktonic algae are microscopic, free floating algae the give ponds their clear green color. A normal population of planktonic algae is mandatory for a healthy pond, as they are the base of the food chain and are responsible for supplying the pond with dissolved oxygen, essential for the health of the other aquatic life. When planktonic algae start to bloom, they will give ponds a pea soup coloration. This usually takes place in summer months.

Filamentous algae, often called pond scum or pond moss, begins growing on the bottom of ponds on surfaces like rocks and logs and resemble green fur. As the clumps grow, they break loose from the bottom and float to the top, causing ugly green mats on the pond surface. Filamentous algae begins growing in the early spring and is first noticed around the edges of the pond in shallow water. It has no redeemable value to a pond.

Attached-erect algae commonly are mistaken for a higher vascular plant due to its dense, gritty appearance and its resemblance to aquatic plants with leaf-like structures. Attached-erect algae are less common, but do to its thickness, blooms can be dangerous to swimmers along with being a nuisance to other water activities. Attached-erect algae provide no significant value to a pond system.

Discuss – These are not typically the most attractive lawn features you can come up with because of the lack of plant life in or around the pond and it is not a good idea to have a Koi pond in an environment that has violent extremes in weather such as a severe winter. These fish are highly susceptible to weather based conditions and simply can’t survive a long winter.

Algae blooms in ponds are stimulated by the availability of excess nutrients in the pond and sunlight penetration. Excess nutrients usually come from fish feces, decaying vegetation, fish food and fertilization run-off. Shallow, clear ponds are often the most likely environments for algae to occur, due to the ability of sunlight to penetrate through to the bottom soil.

The options available for algae control are wide. Herbicides/ algaecides like copper sulfate are common solutions used, due to its ability to kill the algae quickly. However, a quick kill off of algae will actually work against the health of the pond. Large algae kills will result in a decrease in available oxygen for other aquatic life and the increase in nutrients stemming from the dead algae, which leads to new cycles of algae.

Discuss – Ensure that you have good mechanical and biological filtration and that your pump will turn the pond water over totally at least twice per day.

An effective, long term method to control pond algae is to use a live microbial product, like Natural Enviro 4000, that utilizes special beneficial bacteria to break the growth cycle of pond algae. The microbes, once introduced into the pond, consume the excess nutrients, limiting the amount available for the algae. They also break down the decaying vegetation and other organic matter that algae get nutrients from, while at the same time releasing oxygen back into the pond. The products are also all-natural and completely safe for fish, animals and turf plants.

This introduction of increased oxygen levels creates two positive effects. Increased levels of oxygen in the water will cause decomposition of organic matter to occur faster, thus limiting the amount of nutrients available. Increased amounts of oxygen also squeeze out other gases like carbon dioxide, which aquatic plants like algae need to survive.

The fight to control pond algae is a formidable challenge, but with knowledge and the help from a live microbial product, a clean, healthy and beautiful pond can be achieved.

Discuss – The poor Koi keeper is left wondering what happened. He then proceeds the way of many before him, with a shovel, lots of sand and a determination to fill in what was once a treasured feature of his garden, his Koi pond.

Casey Coke
Natural Environmental Systems LLC
http://www.naturalenviro.com