Pond Water
Sunday, October 10th, 2010
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How to keep your pond water clean from algae and blanket weed?
I have large pond in my back garden with mixture of koi fish. last year i bought a Bermuda filter with UV light and a pump. During the winter i turned the pump off, but recently i have noticed the pond is covered with blanket weed and the water has turned green. What could i do to keep the water fresh and clean as i don't want to remove the fishes to clean the pond water out.
There are a couple of methods that you can employ in addition to your filter/light system.
Firstly, good 'housekeeping' helps prevent the conditions required for Algae to grow, and includes preventing run-off water from entering your pond from surrounding soil. This water is likely to contain the nutrients needed for Algae to grow. Keeping debris in your pond to a minium will also prevent this from decomposing down to the same nutrients - though we'd hope that the water filter will process most of the fish waste, ensure that fallen leaves etc don't get a chance to enter or remain for long enough to become a source for Algea's nutrient requirements.
Light is also needed by Algae to grow, so if any shading is given, this will restrict growth too. If you have surface plants, these will also compete with Algae for the nutrients, as well as restrict light from entering the pond, otherwise, consider other physical barriers.
Secondly, you can add products that are fish safe that will control Algae, including blanket weed. It's always best to manually remove blanket weed if you, perhaps be twirling it around sticks etc. Otherwise it will decay, and provide nutrients to fuel further growth. The best product that I have used, which is a natural mix of enzymes, minerals etc, is called Blanket Answer, made by Cloverleaf , available from many aquatic supplies retailers - http://www.swelluk.com/pond/pond-treatments-and-test-kits-35/algae-treatments-277/cloverleaf-blanket-answer-10310.html
Otherwise, you can add liquid extract of Barley straw, which goes to work immediately, and is faster and preferable to adding a bale of straw, in my opinion.
Other general Algae can also be controlled by additives, such as this, which I use, and is fish safe - http://www.koibitz.com/Scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=378
So, keep your pond's well being managed, and feel free to use natural Algae controls, in order to get great looking water, safe fish, and an easier life.
Hope this helps. Good luck! Rob
Microscopic View of 5 uL Pond Water