Author Topic: I'm new. Too much algae in pond.  (Read 3910 times)

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Offline alice

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I'm new. Too much algae in pond.
« on: March 21, 2008, 10:01:46 AM »
Moved into new home last year that has small cement pond. It hadn"t been used in over 25 years. My husband cleaned it out and fixed it. We have 6 goldfish in it since last summer. We also have a pump and filter. We live in the Wash.D.C. area. In Jan/Feb we did use a heater in the pond. We haven't used the heater in at least a month. Ever since using the heater we've had an abundance of algae. We just found out today that we should replace the pond water( no more than 20% per day).  We want to know how to prevent this problem from re-occurring on a regular basis.  Also, the pond is around 600 gallons. Any advice would truly be appreciated!

Offline miguynmkoi

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Re: I'm new. Too much algae in pond.
« Reply #1 on: March 21, 2008, 10:27:19 AM »
Welcome Alice! 

My pond does the algae thing every spring when it warms up.  It comes and/or with hairy/stringy, green bubbly/brown water, floating, all kinds.  But it does go away fairly quickly after a couple of weeks.  I replace about a quarter of the water every few of days.  I found that if I do a partial clean of the filter before the algae takes over it the stuff clears up faster.  I don't do chemicals ($$) and because I never follow up on doses  ::)

I also have found that having a pump that moves more water works too.

This is my experience.  There are more way experienced people here who will know better who will help you out once they catch this post.

Good luck!  And Happy Ponding!

Offline Double S

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Re: I'm new. Too much algae in pond.
« Reply #2 on: March 22, 2008, 12:31:37 PM »
It's just that time of year. Once my lilies start growing, mine goes away and water clears up.

Offline Mikey

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Re: I'm new. Too much algae in pond.
« Reply #3 on: April 13, 2008, 08:47:20 AM »
Are we talking about "free-floating" or what is also called "suspended algae"?  When your pond has pea-soup colored water, i.e., green water then we are talking about free-floating or suspended algae.  Most of us don't like that kind because we can't see the fish.  Then there is "string algae" or sometimes called "hair algae", often a good sign of healthy water but unsightly.  String algae is often several inches to a foot or more long.  And then there is the common green algae that grows on everything in the pond and that type of algae is completely normal.

Assuming you are talking about the free-floating algae, the trick is to starve out the floating algae.  Floating or suspended algae feed on nutrients in the water.  Nutrients are primarily provided by fish poop, decaying plant material on the bottom and fertilizers used to feed your potted plants.  Free-floating algae thrives on sun and nutrients in the water.  Thus, reducing the amount of sun or nutrients causes it to disappear.  Changing the water usually justs compounds the problem.  Once a pond becomes "balanced", this free-floating algae problem should go away.  Pond "balance" just means having the right amount of plants, both oxygenating plants such as hornwort or anacharis, the right number of fish, and the right amount of shade either from overhead shade or shade producing plants such as water lilies.

Another way many pond keepers keep their pond water clear is by the use of a bio-filter.  A bio-filter is a device that contains media (rocks, gravel, plastic media etc.) for microbes to grow on.  The microbes will feed on the nutrients in the water and starve out the free-floating algae.  You mention that you have a filter.  It sounds like it may be a mechanical type filter used to screen out junk to protect the pump and not necessarily designed as a bio-filter.  However, event this type of filter will act somewhat as a biofilter.  For example, if it is a sponge-type of filter, the microbes will grow on it and be helpful in feeding on nutrients in the water.  If you have a sponge-type of filter, don't clean it with chlorined tap water as that will likely kill these beneficial microbes and it will take a few weeks for them to regrow.  Use water from the pond in a bucket to clean the filter.

Another way many people get rid of free-floating algae is by zapping the little rascals with a UV Sterilizer.  This equipment is often located with their bio-filter.  As the pond water passes through the UV Sterilizer the high intensity ultraviolet light will kill the free-floating algae.  These devices are extremely effective in killing off this type of algae.

I hope I'm not giving you too much information to digest.  I will leave you with a link to a reputable pond supply business that will have bio-filters, uv sterilizers etc...    http://www.azponds.com/default.htm?source=google&gclid=CMDw_NWv2JICFRItagodJzeL-g
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Offline Jerry

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Re: I'm new. Too much algae in pond.
« Reply #4 on: May 04, 2008, 10:46:18 PM »
You must check out the "Skippy" too.  No uv lights and clear water for years.  If I can do it you can do it!
Jerry
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"Any women that tries to be the equal of a man, lacks ambition!"

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Offline Rick

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Re: I'm new. Too much algae in pond.
« Reply #5 on: June 06, 2008, 08:24:48 PM »
Bump!
Thanks,
Rich

Offline lorraine1960

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Re: I'm new. Too much algae in pond.
« Reply #6 on: June 28, 2008, 05:46:05 PM »
Hi i use volcanic clay that i bought off ebay 2 summers ago and let me tell you i have no string algae and no algae at all plus i use uv bio-filter...plus the filters constantly going and i live in louisiana and man it stays hot and humid here.. :) lorraine
lorraine

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