CONTROLLING POND ALGAE


The presence of any algae in the pond can be a concern for many an owner.  While it is true that excess algae can take away from your pond's attractiveness, it also has many benefits.   Algae gives your pond a more natural appearance; it also is a source of foodiconicon and oxygen for your koi.  For this reason, your goal should be to control its growth and not eliminate it.  Knowing how to control it and what contributes to the growth of algae will enable you to keep your pond in a healthy and well-balanced condition.  The GreenFree UV Clarifier shown at left clarifies green water, and maintains clean water for lasting enjoyment of your pond.  The high-efficiency bulbs last a full year and the UV units are easy to install.  The UV clarifier uses ultraviolet light waves to kill floating algae cells as they pass through the unit.  They will clear heavy algae blooms quickly and help keep it that way all season long!

If your pond is like mine, each spring brings on algae.  This is a natural occurrence.  Like most of us (unless you reside is one of the southern most US portions) your pond has experienced some big changes over the past winter.  Your plants, removed or dormant, provided fewer nutrients being absorbed from the water.  Organic matter such as leaves may have collected on your pond's bottom, causing water quality decline.   A  loss of oxygen and a great deal of the bacteria needed to control the ammonia and nitrate buildup also were lost.   This, of course, made pumps and filters work less efficiently.

As spring approaches, the days become longer and the water in your pond not yet shaded by nearby trees, or the leaves of your pond plants such as water lilies, receive a dramatic increase in sunshine.  This makes perfect conditions for the growth of algae.

As a pond owner do not become overly concerned with this annual spring event.  It is normal for most ponds to experience an algae "spring bloom".  With regular seasonal management iconicon your pond should balance itself in about four to six weeks.  The water should clear and the amount of algae should be reduced.  The compact pond vac shown at right simpilfies routine pond maintenance.  It will keep your pond, water garden or water feature free of debris, one of the main reason for excess algae.  The Pond Vacuum XPV vacumms away hard to remove pond sludge for a cleaner and healthier pond environment.  It is ideal for touchups as well as routine maintenance and it is perfect for preformed ponds.

Adding plants back to their shelves, or even adding new plants will also help as they will begin to utilize the nutrients that cause algae to grow.  At the same time, the growing leaves from your plants will shade the surface of the water.  Cleaning pumps and filters will help them restore their normal efficiency.  As your biological filter repopulates with bacteria your levels of ammonia and nitrate will be reduced.  Starting up waterfalls or other effects will also enrich the oxygen levels in your pond, significantly reducing algae growth.   The water lily shown at left is but one example of how you can use plants to shade your pond and reduce the growth of algae.  As you can see the leaves spread out over the pond and cover the water's surface and inhibiting algae growth.

Algae that is persistent, or appears later in the year,  is an indication of a pond imbalance.   Most commonly, excess nutrients are to blame but  there are other causes as well.  Excessive  sunlight, warm water temperatures and high phosphate levels may also be working to accelerate algae growth.  Be assured that these problems are not as difficult to correct as you may think.