Skyland Gardening

Algae Problem & Pond Algae Control0

Pond Algae Control 

Pond Algae
Algae, in its various forms, can be a real nuisance in a pond. Green water is caused by unicellular algae that proliferate in an enclosed and nutrient-rich environment. Algae thrive in bright sunlight. It is, therefore, generally a summer problem. It is made worse by long hours of sunshine and high temperature. However, aquatic plants and freshwater plants are higher in nature’s chain than single celled algae, so as the plants begin to flourish and take up the excess nutrients, algae problems tend to decrease.

Once plants begin to grow, and water lilies as well as other surface growing plants provide an adequate amount of shade, the algae no longer obtain the high levels of sunlight and nutrients they require and begin to disappear. Adding more aquatic plants, particularly the submerged varieties, can help to reduce levels of algae, and it is generally ponds with insufficient plant growth that have the algae problems.

Green water indicates an imbalance in your pond, but its mild presence in a wildlife pond will have some benefits. It provides a superb primary food for many microorganisms and invertebrates and can fuel a really beneficial biodiversity in a pond. Green water is also full of colour-enhancing carotenoids, which, if your fish are ornamental, will help to produce stunning and vibrant colours. Extreme cases of green water should be avoided because at night, it can cause severe dissolved oxygen depletion, which threatens the life of any fish and invertebrates.

Pond Algae Control
It is important that you do not empty your pond full of green water. Although that may seem like the best thing to do, nothing could be farther from the truth. Emptying the pond will temporarily alleviate the green water, but the minerals in tap water will cause the refilled pond to become thick with algae very quickly. These salts and minerals are one of the causes of algae and take a long time to break down. If you are looking for a quick fix for green water, and your pond is not new, use one of the many proprietary algae treatments available from garden centers and pond shops. With some patience and continual creative planting, you should see the level of green water in your pond decline to acceptable levels.

Duckweed
Duckweed can be a very frustrating weed. It finds its way into your pond on other plants or via birds. Only a single fragment is required, and under the right conditions it will rapidly divide and quickly cover the whole pond. This can then deprive beneficial submerged plants of light and even prevent gas exchange in still water ponds, leading to anoxic conditions and the telltale “bad eggs” smell.

Duckweed is hard to get rid of; there are no safe chemical treatments. If you have Koi or goldfish in your pond they love to eat duckweed. You can decrease the amount of food you are giving your fish to encourage them to eat the duckweed. You can try leaving a hose running in your pond, causing it to overflow slightly and cause the duckweed to float off.

String Algae
To control string algae, you need to address the cause-rising levels of nutrients (nitrates and phosphates) arriving through food and even in the tap water. Some string-algae treatments involve harsh herbicidal chemicals that address the symptoms, only for the algae to return later. The best approach for string algae is to use natural methods to keep the nutrient levels low, preventing the algae from thriving in the first place.

There are other various bacteria-based remedies that work very effectively, competing for the nutrients and causing the string algae to die back. There are other barley straw-based treatments that break down naturally to release various natural compounds that are effective against algae.

As nutrients inevitably continue to enter the pond, the threat will remain, so you will have to continue treating against the threat of nuisance algae.

If you would like to read more information articles on how to keep your Pond and Fish healthy and thriving visit Koi Pond Guide. There is also 2 FREE pdf downloads on algae control, click here.

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Whether you are a Koi Hobbyist or new to the Koi world this website will show you not only how to keep you pond, fish, and plants healthy and thriving, but to create the best tranquil space for you.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Casey_L_Lane

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