Pond Algae

Pond Algae comes in many different forms, even different colors (green Algae, red Algae, brown Algae). The two kinds of pond algae frustrating backyard pond owners most often, though, are "green water Algae" and "string Algae".

Green pond water Algae are single cell plants that can make the pond look like "pea soup". These plants are so tiny that they can pass right through a pond filter. Consequently, additional forms of Algae control have to be used. Algaecides are not a good choice in the garden pond or water garden, because they will also harm pond fish and aquatic plants.

It is important to balance the pH in the pond (it should be between 7.0 and 8.0). Nothing in the pond will be very successful until this first step is taken. Easy to use Pond Test Kits are available to measure the pH.

Once the pH is balanced one can introduce beneficial bacteria and logs of aquatic plants to compete with the Algae for nutrients in the pond and hopefully starve the green water Algae. Flocculants are available that are harmless to pond fish and pond plants, but make the Algae clump together so it can be picked up by the pond filter. It is advisable to clean the pond filter more regularly for a few days after using the product, so the green water Algae can be efficiently eliminated.

Ultra-Violet-Clarifiers are modern mechanical devices that eliminate green water Algae for good. These UV lights are used in conjunction with a good pond filter to kill and then remove the Algae from the water.