Control algae in your garden pond - some algae is good, some isn't. Read and learn the difference.
Have you ever wondered why your pond water takes on a green, pea-soup appearance? Usually this is caused by minute, suspended blobs of algae in the water. This pond algae will also attach themselves to any surfaces in the pond, such as plants and rocks. The worst pond algae, known as string algae or blanket weed, grows in long slimy clumps. Now keep in mind that all ponds will have algae in one form or another. The key is dealing with them effectively. There is a good form of pond algae. This is the type that extends over all the sides and surfaces of a fish pond. This type of algae normally grows up to 2 cm (about 1") in length. It is beneficial because microscopic life thrives on this algae, and fish feed on this life. This type of algae you want to leave alone -- don't try to remove it. There is a not so good form of pond algae. This is the type that's suspended in the water. It will usually be green colored, but may also be brown in appearance. This is the type of algae that turns a pond pea-soup green. The problem is that this algae is only about 4 microns in diameter, so not even the best pond biofilters can remove it. To remove this algae, you'll need a UV type filter. There is a bad form of pond algae. This is the blanketweed, or string type of algae. This appears as long, slimy clumps that seem to grow very quickly (hence the name string algae). This type of algae will appear in crystal clear pond water, mainly because it's so vigorous that it keeps other forms of algae from gaining a foothold. Unfortunately, removing blanketweed or string algae is very hard to do. The conditions leading to its formation are not well known, and there is no definite cure for it. Some people claim that barley straw and extracts from barley straw will remove this type of algae, and they do show promise. But the problem with these types of "cures" is that you end up battling their side effects. So be careful of putting any treatment into your pond to remove a blanket algae problem. |
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