Comments on: Pond Algae Treatments And Combined Chaos

By: Connie

Connie — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 12:38:33 +0000

there are so many useful hints on this site, We had one of those plastic ponds like the ones you get at the Depot or Walmart ,maintained it pretty well, Of course when the algae appeared we would take out the fish and drain it clean it and fill it back up. This year we expanded we took out the plastic pond and dug out and made it bigger and lined it, We have a good filter and a water fall filter, a few plants, that the fish like,a few big rocks that we ran into while digging out the pond, we placed them on top the liner made like a underwater cave the fish huddle in. Have some tall grass plants that shade in the morning and a little into the afternoon,now the algea is a problem, dosent seem to have an oder and the water is not cloudy ,until i stir up the bottom and try to get some of the muck into the filter its full of gold fish mainly feeder fish that is eating the algae on the walls(not eating fast enough) we have a few frogs that took up residence,No one seems to be in distress (just the owners) was looking for a way that is natural to help control the algae, I m going to increase aeration, and try the barley hay , any other advice I would be grateful, Im located in Maryland near the Susquehanna

By: EDDIE EVANS

EDDIE EVANS — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 14:40:34 +0000

After years of frustration I found that certain bacteria doses did help control the algae, but required repetitive doses and of course expense. Our pond is about 3 acres averaging 7-10 ft deep. Fed only by surface water and developing springs (pond is 18 years old)we feared disaster in the making. But for whatever reason, the installation of 3 deep aerators has resulted in miracles. Installed in late spring of this year, we have seen an almost non-existent crop of algae. Add to that the fact that the fish are happier, the water clearing, the beginning of sludge cleaning–and we are simply amazed! QWe are located in upstate central NY State.

By: Gayle

Gayle — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 13:17:59 +0000

I came across a lady who raises fish and has a very large pond. I started haveing proublems with string algie and called her she suggested the use of peroxide. yes peroxide. I poured three bottles of the cheep peroxide in to the pond around my filter. a few days later all the string algie was GONE. !!!!!! does not hurt fish or snails ,sucker fishes Etc. all is well. You can use this as often as once every two months..Depending on the sixe of your pond. Ours was around 5,ooo gallons of water.

By: Mark

Mark — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 19:58:34 +0000

Hi Tony,

I disagree with those that say nothing really works on string algae. I have ample evidence and folks that would say otherwise.

For bacteria to work right, and by the way, this is my preferred method of algae control, certain conditions have to be right in the pond.

Ideally the pH should be around 7.5 with a working range of 6.5 to 8.5 for most bacteria to be optimal.

Oxygen content must be good and with aeration you should have that. So your use of aeration is a very good thing.

Also, be sure you’re using enough bacteria for the job. You would start with the overall pond size as a minimum dosage but you also have to take into account whatever may be helping the algae along. If the pond has a lot of trees around it and therefore leaf debris in the pond or just a lot of organic material in general at the bottom of the pond this must be taken into account.

There have been some ponds where we’ve had to use twice as much bacteria as one would estimate to get clearing because of this issue.

And finally make sure you’re applying it often enough. While some ponds can respond to a single treatment and show very good response, other’s may take very consistent treatments to clear up.

These as well as other factors may influence the response of the bacteria but I would start by checking the pH of the water, make sure you’re using enough bacteria supplementation to do the job and experiment with this amount and the frequency of application and see if that improves things a bit.

By: Tony Mininno

Tony Mininno — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 18:09:46 +0000

I have a large 1/4 acre pond; rubber liner, no flat bottom; sloped sides to a depth of 12 feet.

This is the third summer. I began using beneficial bacteria from day 1, I color the water and it has two large submerged airators.

It has some moasquito fish which seem to multiply OK.

This February I began seeing string algae and it it now evident along the perimeter and below the surface on the sloping sides. I skim off what I can reach.

There is no oder and the water is fairly clear.

What can I do to keep the string algae from progressing. I hear that nothing really works; just slows the process down.

Any suggestions welcome. Thank you.

By: John Eversoll

John Eversoll — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 22:34:36 +0000

Hi guys!! Well, it is that time of year our ponds are turning greeeeen. $#@!*^&)+_?/:”{!!
Yes thaT LOVELY SHADE OF money down the drain.
I have almost got to the point of draining the darned thing filling it up with water and bleach then add some plastic fish.
The last of my gold fish has kicked the bucket
so I am not worried about fish any more
Until I can get things in order, I am not going to worrie about it any more. So if the pond clears up on its own that is great
Enjoy your pond.
John

By: Mark

Mark — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 14:14:27 +0000

Mel, thanks for suggestion on trying the black light…I haven’t tried that but if you’re getting great results, that’s terrific.

Larry, usually for natural products the pH should be somewhere between 6.5 to 8.5 for most biological treatments. For the Healthy Ponds products its more like 6.0 to 9.0.

Ron and Carlos…well done! I like Ron’s last comment in that it’s really best to work with what mother nature gives you. Whether my optimism proves out every time I don’t know but I’ve always believed that there is a solution to every pond, it’s just a matter of discoving what it will be.
Mark

By: John Swonger

John Swonger — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 14:11:34 +0000

I have string algae my pond is 10 years old and i have never had a problem like this. my water is crystal clear but the string algae keeps taking over. I remove it almost everyday as good as i can. I`ve treated it with algaeside twice but nothing seems to help any suggestions would be much appreached

Thanks
John

By: Carlos

Carlos — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 13:20:38 +0000

My pond is only about two years old,it may be considered small to most. (a little over 2,000 gallons) I have always had aquariums,and presently have a 250 gallon inside my home. I am new to the pond game but I think I’ve done good so far. First I had my pond done early in the year to try to get ahead of the algae problem. I use eco system dry bacteria,along with a ultrasonic algae control system,and several water lillies. I have about a dozen koi that range in size from 6-8 inches. I get an algae spike very seldom and when I do I simply and bacteria. I planted three 6′ Magnolia Jane trees beside my pond in March on the West side of my pond to give it some shade, because there were no trees at all in my yard. I’ll send pics next time, everone I hope you enjoy your pond as much as I enjoy mine!!!! LOS

By: rantle

rantle — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 12:46:08 +0000

I know the quicker you react to the algae growth the better.
As soon as I kick up the pumps after a long winter here in the great white north,In goes the barley pellets.
The key and success to using barley pellets
is to make sure it’s put in an area where the water is running over it all the time.
I use this and this alone.NO CHEMICALS…..
Then when the warmer weather get’s here
in go the plants and lot’s of them.
It has taken me about 4 years to get this down
to an art but I did it.
Algae problem no more in my pond.
Good luck folks and you can trust me when i say this.”help Mother nature don’t fight her”….
She always wins so work with her…LOL
Ron