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Controlling Algae in a Pond

21 Questions

Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.

April 29, 2012

How can we balance our goldfish pond water with household products? We are thinking of products like baking soda, vinegar, muriatic acid, etc. We have a 6 foot x 27 foot pond. It is 1.5 feet deep at the shallow area with a 3 foot deep area. We have few water plants and full sun light. There is a homemade 30 gal. sand and gravel filter with a 3 foot to 4 foot long steam. From what we have read we have blooming algae (green water).

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By Billy M. from T Town, AL

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May 7, 20120 found this helpful

Get a UV light sterilizer, it will break up the algae. The water is run through the unit in which there is a UV light. It is perfectly safe for plants and fish, I run mine after my filther and pump and it works great, You can purchase a good unit for about $100.

 
May 29, 20120 found this helpful

Barley straw and barley straw liquid can be used. It will also go away on its own, If you go online there are many things to buy.

 
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June 6, 2011

I moved into a new home and there is a 50 gallon pond in the front yard by front door! It has green algae along the walls. I bought a $50 filter and pump at Lowe's and it doesn't do the job. I have bought stuff to put in the water which also does not seem to help. I went to a pond nursery and ended up buying a PF 300 filter and am going to try to hook it up with the little pump I got at Lowe's. This filter cost me $150.

The pond is oval and has 2 shelves on either side with a deep center. I feel I am going round in circles to keep clean. Or do I have to! I have no fish as of yet, just one plant, (variegated Japanese iris). Do I need a filter of this magnitude or should I keep pouring in the chemicals (algae killers)?

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By Bonnie P

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Silver Post Medal for All Time! 398 Posts
June 6, 20110 found this helpful

I found this info on ehow.com. Hope it helps some....sounds interesting about the water lillies.

Algae control is an essential part of maintaining an outdoor fish pond, an environment commonly used to house koi. Because they are outside, these ponds are constantly exposed to sunlight and stray organic nutrients, both of which promote algal growth. One type of algae that's particularly annoying is green algae, which is composed of tiny, microscopic phytoplanktons that give the water an ugly, green tint. There are many chemical solutions sold in stores to help eliminate this problem, commonly called algaecides, but they can be potentially harmful to your fish if used improperly. Luckily, there's another, much easier and natural way to both eliminate and prevent green algae.

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Difficulty:Moderate
Instructions
Things You'll Need
Hose
Dechlorinator
Water lilies
1
Using the hose, siphon about one-third of the water from your pond.
2
Refill the pond, making sure that the fresh water is about the same temperature of the water already in the pond.
3
Add the appropriate amount of dechlorinator. This amount should be specified on the product's packaging and is dependent on the amount of water you replaced.
4
Scatter water lilies across your pond until they cover about two-thrids of the surface. They will shield much light from reaching the water and also absorb many nutrients the algae would otherwise use to grow and spread. The green algae should gradually vanish within about two weeks.

Another reason for algae prevalence in ponds is due to rainwater carrying nutrients into the pond, which feeds the algae and allows it to propagate. To help prevent this occurrence, simply use a shovel and build a narrow trough around the perimeter of the pond. This will catch rainwater, preventing it from washing into your pond.

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Be wary when using any of the dozens of chemicals available for eliminating algae. These products, if used improperly, can be hazardous to your fish. They also typically cause the algae to die very rapidly, which can cause a sudden depletion of oxygen, not to mention causing the bottom of your pond to be covered with a layer of dead algae. Thus, it's safer to simply allow the algae to dissipate naturally.

Read more:
www.ehow.com/how_5594812_green-algae-out-fish...
How to Get Green Algae Out of a Fish Pond | eHow.com www.ehow.com/how_5594812_green-algae-out-fish...
Blessings,
Robyn

 
June 17, 20110 found this helpful

Putting some barley straw in a flow through bag will help keep the pond clean. It will not clean the pond, but if you put it in there after you clean it, it will help keep it clean.

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I"m not talking about using a huge amount, just a small handful in a bag should do the trick. I read about this on the Gardener's supply website.

 
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July 30, 2013

My pond holds approx. 2000 lt. It has algae growing on the plants and fish in the pond. How can I safely get rid of the algae?

By Bruce

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Bronze Tip Medal for All Time! 86 Tips
October 25, 20130 found this helpful

The best and safest to use is Sterile Carp Fish. I ordered mine from a feed store. In no time the algae will be gone. I have used so many products that didn't work at all.

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My pond is fairly big so I put in 3 of these fish. Oh one more thing, they are really reasonable in price. Hope this helps.

 
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June 25, 2013

What is blanket weed and how do I get rid of it?

By Romy

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July 1, 20130 found this helpful

I can answer the first part of your question.

Blanket weed or silkweed, are very common pond algae and have dense growths of hair-like green strands that float under or on the surface, or cling to plants at the side of the pond.

I have heard that liquid barley straw extract bought from a garden centre or aquatic nursery, will get rid of it.

 
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August 14, 2010

Is there anything other than bleach or pool chemicals that I can use in my small garden pond to prevent algae? Last year I used laundry bleach and it killed a frog. I have also caught dogs in the pond on hot days. I don't want anything that will be harmful to animals, etc. I've had to drain and clean the pond twice already this season due to the algae and it's too much work to keep doing it repeatedly. There is a water fountain in the pond that runs from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

By ilovesophie from Laurel, MT

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August 17, 20100 found this helpful

My mother and grandmother used barley straw to keep their ponds sparkling clear/clean. They both had fishponds that were havens for fish, frogs, birds.
I'm not sure of your budget, but there are plenty of places online to buy it...
one- www.naturalsolutionsetc.com/barley.htm
two- www.pristineponds.com/.../products.php
a third- www.dougsbarleystraw.com/faq.html
and there are a lot more.

 
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June 20, 2010

I have a small pond. I would like to know what is best to put at the bottom. At the moment I have a few stones, the water is running clear, but all of the stones are green. Please give me any tips to get them clean. Thanks.

By alison from Feltham

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June 23, 20100 found this helpful

That green you see is algae. It's necessary in your pond, any pond that is in good condition will have it. It's the natural flow of things. It's probably the reason your water is clear. Any flat surface in your pond should be covered with 1-2 inches of small rocks. That prevents dirt/debris from being stirred up from the bottom. If you don't want the green, then you want a swimming pool. If the water is clear that is great. I have never seen any pond or water feature without any green. I say just let it be.

 
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September 30, 2013

Will a weak solution of muriatic acid harm fish in a pond?

By Sandy D

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June 26, 2013

My pond is heavy green. How do I clean it having 2 filters in it?

By smith21

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June 26, 2013

My pond is heavy green. How do I clean it having 2 filters in it?

By smith21

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June 25, 2013

How to get rid of pond green water?

By Romy

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April 5, 2013

How do you keep sand in a fish pond clean, so that it doesn't turn green?

By Annette v from Edmonton, Alta

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ThriftyFun is one of the longest running frugal living communities on the Internet. These are archives of older discussions.

April 9, 2008
Click to read more ideas from older posts on ThriftyFun.
 
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August 14, 2010

If I use shock for a pool and chlorine to reduce the algae, would it be safe to use these items in my water pond if I do not plan on adding fish or plants for a month?

 
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