Early prevention is the key to algae control effective throughout the pond season. Learn what you can do in spring to help prevent aggressive nuisance algae growth from taking over your pond in summer.
Eliminate Excess Algal Food Sources
Cut off the supply of algal nutrients at the source AND remove dissolved nutrients already present in the water column for effective results. Eliminate algal nutrients at the source by physically removing large organic debris and detritus such as fallen leaves with a pond net. Remove fine debris and sludge/muck with a pond vacuum.
Remove a variety of dissolved organic waste with chemical filter media. Target specific algal nutrient such as phosphates, with specialized chemical filter media.
Improve Pond Water Quality
Create environmental conditions that discourage aggressive algae growth. Improve water quality to create a healthy, balanced environment where algae are unable to proliferate. Bacterial additives enhance water quality by boosting vital biological filtration that competes for algal resources. Barley Products help condition and improve pond water quality as well as restore pond water clarity.
Combat Stubborn Algae with Algae Treatments
In situations where aggressive algae growth has already taken a foothold, consider algae treatments. Algae treatments are most effective when employed AFTER eliminating excess algal food sources and improving pond water quality.
Install a UV Clarifier
If you choose not to use chemical algaecides, rely on the cleansing power of ultraviolet clarifiers. These units emit UVC light to combat green pond water caused by free-floating algae. Install a UV clarifier when you start up your filter in spring for a head start to cleaner, clearer pond water. Similar to chemical algaecides, UV clarifiers are most effective when you have already taken steps to reduce algal nutrients and improve pond water quality.
Investing a bit of extra time in spring removing organic waste buildup (sludge/muck) and employing chemical filter media and additives significantly reduces the potential of aggressive algae blooms in summer. Most importantly, these simple measures allow algaecides and UV Clarifiers to function more effectively when the pond season is in full swing.
Shocking Truth about Algae
While it may sound a bit counter intuitive, what all pond keepers need to know about algae control is that algae is not the problem. In fact, algae provide a solution to the real underlying problem, excess nutrients. Algae are prolific and opportunistic organisms that take advantage of aquatic systems that are out of balance, feeding and thriving on an abundance of nutrients. In other words, if algae should use up excess nutrients or if cut off from it, then algae are unable to thrive.
Common Sources of Excess Pond Nutrients in Spring
The most common sources of algae-fueling nutrients in spring are fish waste, organic debris (sludge/muck), and dead vegetation left over or accumulated from the previous winter. As warmer spring water temperatures accelerate the breakdown of these materials, they steadily release algae-fueling nitrogen compounds and phosphate into the pond water, creating a veritable buffet for algae. Stop potential aggressive algae growth by eliminating these algal food sources though routine maintenance that improves pond water quality. Use a test kit to accurately measure and monitor your progress of keeping levels of algal nutrients nitrate and phosphate low.
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