Comments on: Is There A Secret To Pond Algae Control? http://pondalgaesolutions.org/2009/05/06/is-there-a-secret-to-pond-algae-control/ The Official Blog Of Pond Algae Solutions Tue, 29 Nov 2011 23:06:39 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Shilah http://pondalgaesolutions.org/2009/05/06/is-there-a-secret-to-pond-algae-control/comment-page-1/#comment-280 Shilah Tue, 28 Jul 2009 02:48:57 +0000 http://pondalgaesolutions.org/2009/05/06/is-there-a-secret-to-pond-algae-control/#comment-280 Well...same algae problem I had last year. My water looks OK, but my liner is covered with green fuzz, and string algae growing along the top few inches of liner. The algae seems the thickest and healthiest where the water is running the most...waterfalls, stream bed, over the aerators. I have a bag of barley straw pellets under one small fall, and there's algae growing on the bag! My pond is 5500 gallons with only 9- 6"fish, 25 water lilies and misc other plants (not too many) I do have alot of sun exposure, but the problem was already starting before it got hot. I had another layer of muck on the bottom a month after I cleaned it out, and I cleaned it out again. I do have hard water, but everything else tests out OK. I'm considering a smaller preformed pond to move my fish and plants to, and chlorinating the heck out of the big pond and using it for a swimming pool. I feel like I've done pretty much everything right, with no success. I wish an expert could look at my pond and tell my why I'm having so much trouble. I don't know what else I can do. Well…same algae problem I had last year. My water looks OK, but my liner is covered with green fuzz, and string algae growing along the top few inches of liner. The algae seems the thickest and healthiest where the water is running the most…waterfalls, stream bed, over the aerators. I have a bag of barley straw pellets under one small fall, and there’s algae growing on the bag! My pond is 5500 gallons with only 9- 6″fish, 25 water lilies and misc other plants (not too many) I do have alot of sun exposure, but the problem was already starting before it got hot. I had another layer of muck on the bottom a month after I cleaned it out, and I cleaned it out again. I do have hard water, but everything else tests out OK. I’m considering a smaller preformed pond to move my fish and plants to, and chlorinating the heck out of the big pond and using it for a swimming pool. I feel like I’ve done pretty much everything right, with no success. I wish an expert could look at my pond and tell my why I’m having so much trouble. I don’t know what else I can do.

]]> By: Mark http://pondalgaesolutions.org/2009/05/06/is-there-a-secret-to-pond-algae-control/comment-page-1/#comment-254 Mark Tue, 02 Jun 2009 21:53:46 +0000 http://pondalgaesolutions.org/2009/05/06/is-there-a-secret-to-pond-algae-control/#comment-254 Hi Nancy, It's possible you could be underfiltered but I might also suggest adding more plants if your comfortable doing that. The sun really can create a green water condition pretty easily which is why floating plants are so beneficial to helping balance a pond out. That and adequate filtration can often be enough. I like barley products. They do not always work of course but they are worth a try in my opinion and many folks swear by the stuff so it does work in a number of cases to control algae. Hi Nancy,
It’s possible you could be underfiltered but I might also suggest adding more plants if your comfortable doing that. The sun really can create a green water condition pretty easily which is why floating plants are so beneficial to helping balance a pond out. That and adequate filtration can often be enough. I like barley products. They do not always work of course but they are worth a try in my opinion and many folks swear by the stuff so it does work in a number of cases to control algae.

]]> By: nancy http://pondalgaesolutions.org/2009/05/06/is-there-a-secret-to-pond-algae-control/comment-page-1/#comment-253 nancy Mon, 01 Jun 2009 16:02:55 +0000 http://pondalgaesolutions.org/2009/05/06/is-there-a-secret-to-pond-algae-control/#comment-253 i have been having a terrible time with algae my water is always green. i am wondering if i don't have a good enough fitration system. i have the aquascape filter - filter pads and lava rock with the skimmer - it has a filter pad and net. also this year i tried a pool filter and am backwashing it. i also add the biosphere pro every month for under 25,000 gallons. this just does not clear it up. my pond sits in the sun and i have lily pads and a few other plants. pond is about 25 x 30 - 2 feet deep i have about 20 fish. i am going to try barley and see if this helps any. any suggestions would be helpful. thanks nancy i have been having a terrible time with algae my water is always green. i am wondering if i don’t have a good enough fitration system. i have the aquascape filter – filter pads and lava rock with the skimmer – it has a filter pad and net.
also this year i tried a pool filter and am backwashing it. i also add the biosphere pro every month for under 25,000 gallons. this just does not clear it up. my pond sits in the sun and i have lily pads and a few other plants. pond is about 25 x 30 – 2 feet deep
i have about 20 fish. i am going to try barley and see if this helps any.
any suggestions would be helpful.
thanks
nancy

]]> By: Shilah http://pondalgaesolutions.org/2009/05/06/is-there-a-secret-to-pond-algae-control/comment-page-1/#comment-251 Shilah Thu, 28 May 2009 19:55:43 +0000 http://pondalgaesolutions.org/2009/05/06/is-there-a-secret-to-pond-algae-control/#comment-251 I am still wondering what a peat bottom means. Like I said in my May 14 post, I have loose algae that has settled to the bottom of the pond, and is also on the sides. If I stir it up, it's all loose and clouds up the water, then it settles back down onto the lining. Is this good or bad? I have added barley straw pellets, and a new Aquasphere, and am waiting to see if anything changes. What I'm wondering is if this loose algae is normal, or if it should go away. I don't want to wait until I have string algae growing again to make that call. I am still wondering what a peat bottom means. Like I said in my May 14 post, I have loose algae that has settled to the bottom of the pond, and is also on the sides. If I stir it up, it’s all loose and clouds up the water, then it settles back down onto the lining. Is this good or bad? I have added barley straw pellets, and a new Aquasphere, and am waiting to see if anything changes. What I’m wondering is if this loose algae is normal, or if it should go away. I don’t want to wait until I have string algae growing again to make that call.

]]> By: Mark http://pondalgaesolutions.org/2009/05/06/is-there-a-secret-to-pond-algae-control/comment-page-1/#comment-250 Mark Mon, 18 May 2009 17:19:09 +0000 http://pondalgaesolutions.org/2009/05/06/is-there-a-secret-to-pond-algae-control/#comment-250 Hi Shilah, Regarding your question on the products. All of these that you mentioned don't conflict with one another, which is probably the main thing that could come up. Barley and bacteria work in different ways and both can help in certain situations. The one thing I caution against in using too many products, particularly early on in treating an algae issue is that you don't always know what's actually working. If they all work together and get the job done, that's fine, but ideally to save on costs, you want to try one product at a time and narrow things down to what works. If you find something partially effective, then add something else for a time to see if it helps a bit more. Many algae issues do require more than one type of treatment or protocol to totally control it. Some of course, only need one thing to really fix the problem, but the stubborn issues, might need a few different approaches over time. Testing things one by one, then combining when it seems practical to try is probably the best way to go forward. Hi Shilah,
Regarding your question on the products. All of these that you mentioned don’t conflict with one another, which is probably the main thing that could come up. Barley and bacteria work in different ways and both can help in certain situations.

The one thing I caution against in using too many products, particularly early on in treating an algae issue is that you don’t always know what’s actually working. If they all work together and get the job done, that’s fine, but ideally to save on costs, you want to try one product at a time and narrow things down to what works. If you find something partially effective, then add something else for a time to see if it helps a bit more.

Many algae issues do require more than one type of treatment or protocol to totally control it. Some of course, only need one thing to really fix the problem, but the stubborn issues, might need a few different approaches over time.

Testing things one by one, then combining when it seems practical to try is probably the best way to go forward.

]]> By: Shilah http://pondalgaesolutions.org/2009/05/06/is-there-a-secret-to-pond-algae-control/comment-page-1/#comment-249 Shilah Thu, 14 May 2009 03:55:51 +0000 http://pondalgaesolutions.org/2009/05/06/is-there-a-secret-to-pond-algae-control/#comment-249 Reading an article on barley straw pellets, it said that a peat bottom is good for clear water. My water is very clear, and there's a layer of loose algae that settled on the bottom of the pond. Is that what they mean by a peat bottom? I will be adding barley straw pellets to our pond as a regular additive, but I'm wondering if I'm using too many products. I use the AquaSphere, and have innoculated by filters with bacterial gel. Would barley straw pellets compliment these, or is it too much? If not, how much should I used in 5,500 gallons, and how often should I replenish them? Reading an article on barley straw pellets, it said that a peat bottom is good for clear water. My water is very clear, and there’s a layer of loose algae that settled on the bottom of the pond. Is that what they mean by a peat bottom? I will be adding barley straw pellets to our pond as a regular additive, but I’m wondering if I’m using too many products. I use the AquaSphere, and have innoculated by filters with bacterial gel. Would barley straw pellets compliment these, or is it too much? If not, how much should I used in 5,500 gallons, and how often should I replenish them?

]]> By: sdstohler http://pondalgaesolutions.org/2009/05/06/is-there-a-secret-to-pond-algae-control/comment-page-1/#comment-248 sdstohler Tue, 12 May 2009 09:50:28 +0000 http://pondalgaesolutions.org/2009/05/06/is-there-a-secret-to-pond-algae-control/#comment-248 Hi Mark, I am havimg an alge problem for the first time mostly because its the first year for a full pond. we spent most of lsat summer waiting for it to fill. my question is . is there a formula to determine how wide my outlet must be to my biofilter to flow about 10,000 gph thru the filter? I can make the filter as big as 30' X 100' and the pond is an acre median depth 5-6 and 9' at deep end. I would really like th flow 60,000 gph and make a river water feature at the upper end of the pond. thanks for the site Scott Hi Mark,

I am havimg an alge problem for the first time mostly because its the first year for a full pond. we spent most of lsat summer waiting for it to fill. my question is . is there a formula to determine how wide my outlet must be to my biofilter to flow about 10,000 gph thru the filter? I can make the filter as big as 30′ X 100′ and the pond is an acre median depth 5-6 and 9′ at deep end. I would really like th flow 60,000 gph and make a river water feature at the upper end of the pond. thanks for the site Scott

]]> By: Mark http://pondalgaesolutions.org/2009/05/06/is-there-a-secret-to-pond-algae-control/comment-page-1/#comment-247 Mark Mon, 11 May 2009 16:32:19 +0000 http://pondalgaesolutions.org/2009/05/06/is-there-a-secret-to-pond-algae-control/#comment-247 Hi Linn, The answers to your situation can vary which is why perhaps nothing is standing out as the solution for you. String algae, at least in my mind, is no different that most other algaes. It needs nutrients to survive and those come directly from the water. Lowering them will help keep string algae under control. This article and some of the comments discuss some of the problems as to why you might have algae in the first place. Address these and you have the answer. I wish I could tell you there was a single, silver-bullet solution to every algae issue, but that would'nt be the truth. If your pond is smaller I almost always suggest adding beneficial or desirable plants, and beneficial bacteria. Ours is called the Algae Solution and you can find it on this site through the links on the left hand side of the page...but there are many brands and options. These two things, plants and bacteria, work very well together and are very safe for fish and pets, which is a concern for many people. I should note though, that as good as these steps might be for the pond, if you have too many fish in a pond for it's size, or poor filtration, or any other major imbalances, then most "treatment" protocols won't work until the underlying problem is addressed...which is really the major point of this article. For additional information, you might read or re-read our Five Days To A Healthy Pond Report. Most folks on our mailing list have already read it but I'll post the link again just in case. You can find the report through the link below. http://www.algae-solution.com/intro.htm I hope this helps a bit. Hi Linn,
The answers to your situation can vary which is why perhaps nothing is standing out as the solution for you.

String algae, at least in my mind, is no different that most other algaes. It needs nutrients to survive and those come directly from the water. Lowering them will help keep string algae under control.

This article and some of the comments discuss some of the problems as to why you might have algae in the first place. Address these and you have the answer.

I wish I could tell you there was a single, silver-bullet solution to every algae issue, but that would’nt be the truth.

If your pond is smaller I almost always suggest adding beneficial or desirable plants, and beneficial bacteria. Ours is called the Algae Solution and you can find it on this site through the links on the left hand side of the page…but there are many brands and options.

These two things, plants and bacteria, work very well together and are very safe for fish and pets, which is a concern for many people.

I should note though, that as good as these steps might be for the pond, if you have too many fish in a pond for it’s size, or poor filtration, or any other major imbalances, then most “treatment” protocols won’t work until the underlying problem is addressed…which is really the major point of this article.

For additional information, you might read or re-read our Five Days To A Healthy Pond Report. Most folks on our mailing list have already read it but I’ll post the link again just in case. You can find the report through the link below.

http://www.algae-solution.com/intro.htm

I hope this helps a bit.

]]> By: Linn http://pondalgaesolutions.org/2009/05/06/is-there-a-secret-to-pond-algae-control/comment-page-1/#comment-246 Linn Mon, 11 May 2009 15:29:33 +0000 http://pondalgaesolutions.org/2009/05/06/is-there-a-secret-to-pond-algae-control/#comment-246 I see good questions but where do I find the answers. I am having the same problems with sting algea. I see good questions but where do I find the answers. I am having the same problems with sting algea.

]]> By: Shilah http://pondalgaesolutions.org/2009/05/06/is-there-a-secret-to-pond-algae-control/comment-page-1/#comment-245 Shilah Sat, 09 May 2009 23:34:34 +0000 http://pondalgaesolutions.org/2009/05/06/is-there-a-secret-to-pond-algae-control/#comment-245 The rest of the story!... I took my push broom and brushed down the sides of the pond today. It turns out that the algae was not actually adhered to the liner, it had just settled on it and brushed right off. I'm thinking that when the pond was dry, the stuff I couldn't get off dried up, and when I refilled it, it fell of and was floating around until it settled. So I feel like there's still hope. I will say, I don't care much for the blue dye, and I only used about 1 oz. in 5,550 gallons. I know it's supposed to shade the water, but with the black liner it looks more green than blue, and I can't see my fish as well. Oh well, it's better than algae, and I hope it will be better this year than last year. When my pond water was low, I did scoop about 2" of sludge off the bottom, from decomposing leaves from the year before last, which I'm sure was alot of the problem last year. There's so much to learn...so share your discoveries with all of us! The rest of the story!… I took my push broom and brushed down the sides of the pond today. It turns out that the algae was not actually adhered to the liner, it had just settled on it and brushed right off. I’m thinking that when the pond was dry, the stuff I couldn’t get off dried up, and when I refilled it, it fell of and was floating around until it settled. So I feel like there’s still hope. I will say, I don’t care much for the blue dye, and I only used about 1 oz. in 5,550 gallons. I know it’s supposed to shade the water, but with the black liner it looks more green than blue, and I can’t see my fish as well. Oh well, it’s better than algae, and I hope it will be better this year than last year. When my pond water was low, I did scoop about 2″ of sludge off the bottom, from decomposing leaves from the year before last, which I’m sure was alot of the problem last year. There’s so much to learn…so share your discoveries with all of us!

]]>