The best way to deal with algae is to prevent it. If that ship has sailed, never fear – there are ways to get your water feature looking clear again.
Algae naturally occur in a pond’s ecosystem. But if your water is out of balance, these aquatic organisms can completely take over.
For preventative measures in the spring, we recommend draining and cleaning your water feature. This will remove excess nutrients and muck that can be food for algae. During this time, establishing a balanced ecosystem is crucial for keeping algae at bay. Beneficial bacteria eat the same nutrients in the water as algae, so giving these little microbes a head start can starve out the algae and keep your pond balanced. Supplemental bacteria like Aquascape Beneficial Bacteria for Ponds can jumpstart the good bacteria. There are even special cold-water bacteria you can add during early cleanings in March and April. Make sure your pond has areas where bacteria can live. They thrive on the surface of rocks and gravel, and love to hang out on filter mats and media inside a biofilter.
Despite doing a spring cleaning, you still may deal with an algae bloom. The most common algae in late spring/early summer are string algae. For small blooms, it may be easiest to just pull it out. Algae may look gross, but it’s harmless. Then, continue to add beneficial bacteria to your water feature. If it continues to occur or you simply can’t stand it, you can install an Ion-Gen. It releases copper ions into the water that target and kill string algae while being safe for your fish.
For filmy, slimy algae that coat your rocks, you can use a combination of SAB Stream & Pond Cleaner and EcoBlast granular algaecide. SAB contains a phosphate binder that makes it harder for algae to adhere to rocks, so it helps keep water clear. EcoBlast kills algae on contact and works best in a stream or a waterfall. When applying Ecoblast, it’s best to turn the pump off, apply the Ecoblast over the algae, and let it sit for a few hours before turning the pump on again.
These products can be helpful throughout the year, but they’re especially useful in the spring. They help balance your pond as the water is warming up and plants, fish, and bacteria are waking up after the winter.
If you have trouble remembering to add treatments throughout the weeks, considering installing an automatic dosing system. This device is like a drip IV for your pond and automatically adds beneficial bacteria and enzymes to your water feature.
When it comes to treating algae, sometimes you need patience. Give your pond time to rebalance. But if you aren’t seeing any improvement, don’t be afraid to call a professional.
.png)
.svg)
