Pond algae introduction

Pond algae appear as suspended minute blobs causing green pond water. Pond algae also attach themselves to all surfaces in the pond. The worst pond algae grow in long slimy clumps called string algae or blanket weed. Ponds will always have pond algae in one form or another. Dealing with them is important. The good pond algae extends over all the sides and other fish pond surfaces. This type of pond algae grows to about 2 cm ( almost 1) in length. It becomes a haven for microscopic life on which the fish feed happily. It remains this length and is an asset in the pond. Do not try to remove this type of pond algae.

The not so good pond algae is the suspended kind. It is normally a green-coloured pond algae but may also be in shades of brown. The immediately obvious symptom is a fish pond looking like pea soup. This green pond algae is typically only 4 microns in diameter so that not even the best pond filters can remove it.

Do not let anyone tell you by the way that a biofilter or pond filters of any description are designed to prevent pond algae. A biofilter may help to reduce the incidence but does not prevent green pond algae forming. Even the very best koi pond keepers in the world install ultra violet light systems to prevent algae formation. They do not always like to admit it though.

Bad pond algae is known as blanketweed or string algae. It forms slimy long clumps which seem to grow at very fast rates ( hence the name string algae). This algae is normally associated with water that is otherwise crystal clear. This is because the string or blanketweed pond algae is so vigorous that other pond algae types cannot get a look in.

Blanketweed or string algae removal is notoriously difficult to achieve once you have it in your pond. The conditions leading to its formation are not well known. Even worse; there is no definite cure for this pond algae although there are many professed cures. These include barley straw and extracts from barley straw that certainly do show promise.

The big problem with "cures" for string algae in koi fish ponds is that they work some times and not others and the moment "stuff" to control string algae is put into a pond then a cycle of treatments to overcome side effects take place. Be careful of putting any treatment into your pond to remove your blanket algae problem.

Get the blue light miracle worker, ultraviolet light, to resolve your suspended pond algae problems.

ALGAE ON SIDES OF POND IS NORMAL ... you cannot get rid of it permanently; and more importantly you do not want to get rid of it either. All garden ponds develop a growth of green algae on pond surfaces ... this includes walls, pumps, pipes, stones on bottom of pond and so on. Your fish treat it as a rich pasture or meadow. They love it

UVC units do NOT have any effect upon blanketweed problems

Ultra violet light in conjunction with fish pond filters make the difference between success and failure in water garden projects. A Bio Filter and UV is essential in any water garden project involving gold fish or koi ... the easiest to install are the combined units as shown above. What does a pond filter do? read on ....

Fish pond filters quite simply allow fish to live happily in garden ponds .. pond fish excrete toxic chemicals (ammonia) which if not removed by biological processes build up and create a truly toxic environment. The nitrogen cycle occurring within fish pond filters clears up ammonia and nitrite impurities.

Home made pond filters can be just as good and even much better than shop bought fish pond filters when you know what is required

Fish ponds free of ammonia and nitrite impurities are clean fish ponds even though the ponds concerned might be green or cloudy. This is the most important function of pond filters. Of course pond filters remove some solids too but the primary job og pond filters is to purify the garden pond water ... I cannot stress this too much

Clean garden ponds as assessed by people generally means clear and free from suspended matter.

USA ... Range of pond filters combined with UVC for guaranteed clean and clear fish ponds