cossie604

iTrader: (2)

Been having grief with Algae in my pond for months now (want to sort it before summer comes and its growth gets out of control) that Ive been clearing out at least once a week.

Is there anything some one recommends to fight against algae with out harming my fish?

Cheers,
Stu.

Lee Ivatt

iTrader: (1)

You can treat the algae, but it will be a battle.

The real solution is stop the source of the problem.

Too much direct sunlight is a big cause, also over feeding the fish and many other things.

You can use chemicals, but i wouldnt recomend it as it cant be good for the little swimmers.

The ones i have installed, I use a suitable sized (ie in keeping with the ponds volume) filter box with UV light filters in them.

The UV kills of the photocells, so the algae cant photosynthesize, hence litterally starving and killing the algae.

Some times even something such as using a bigger pump can sort the problem, as it moves the water around more, which inhibits growth as algae prefer still waters.

Get some pics up

SassyRS

My dad had this problem last year!

We drained the pond down and whilst we were there re-painted it etc..

re-filled it after 1 week then put the fish back in after 3 days of it being filled..

3 weeks later green again

we also tryed all the usual bottle chemicals (safe for fish etc) but they just wasnt doing the trick (my dads pond is HUGE)

so we decided on a pump and filter upgrade that cost near on 1k

But may i say the pond is now clear and it only took 3 days for the filter to work its magic (also has uv light)< very important in killing algae.

it all depends on how far you want too go with it really, but my dad has probably got a good 3k's worth of koi so well worth the extra money spent so we can actually see them

cossie604

iTrader: (2)

Nah you dont want pics mate...its nowt special and its not had chance to establish its self yet.

tbh my pump is fairly oversized anyhows, got a water fall and small fountain to try and keep it moving etc. Ive kept it pretty much leaf free and Im hardly feeding the fish with it being quite cold still.

Sunlight is a problem as it constantly in the path of the sun...not much I can do about that but tbh my previous smaller pond that was in the same spot didnt have any trouble at all with the sun....in fact it annoyed my dad at how clear it stayed compared to his

Ive got a light bed of pea gravel at the bottom of the pond, this wouldnt have anything to do with it would it??

cossie604

iTrader: (2)

3k? Ive got around 30quid

I'll look into UV lights then, seeing as both of you are having success with them....and they'll be fine with the fish. Wonder if they'll like living in a tanning salon

Mr S1

iTrader: (2)

Nishkoi 'Goodbye Blanket Weed' is what you want. Natural and makes pond weed and algae clump together, you can lift it out in lumps. Keeps the water crystal comes in a little bucket with sachets inside. For the first treatment use 2 sachets in a week, then after that once sachet in the water per week.

Problem solved

kennyA

I've heard putting straw into the pond will keep it clear.

malcs-escort-cos

yes agree you need a uv light as my dad has the same thing happen ,ive just put a pond in my back garden but i dont want to run a pump as its a wildlife pond for newts and frogs ect intead ive shaded the pond with a willow tree,main thing is shade if you cant block it get a uv light

tabetha

My landlord has massive 30 x 30 ponds, these are under a cover to block direct light, with uv filter thing, and no weed, clear as a bell, though they aren't clear are they ?, where did this saying come from!!
tabetha

Mr S1

iTrader: (2)

That's what the Goodbye Blanket Weed is based on - needs to be used with a UV for best effects (forgot to clarify earlier).