What is the best way to clean a small fountain from green algae so that it stay clean for a long time?

Question

We have a little fountain (200 l) which pumps the water permanently through three stones. I have to brush the stones twice the week otherwise they get green and look terrible. Has anyone an idea how I can prevent that the stones get green?

Answer 1

Ahhh, green water, aka pea soup.
Okay, stop changing out the water every two days.
You are just planting the seed to start the green cycle all over again.
There are TWO keys to stopping green water:
First is filtration removal - get some quilt batting and put it in your mechanical filter system. You can change it every couple days as needed if it gets too clogged.
Second, is PATIENCE. Give your filters time to clear up the green.
Algal blooms usually occur in spring as the water warms, but they generally clear up in two to three weeks.



Also the key to ending your algae problem is adding oxygen to your water.

Helpful Hints in Preserving your Investment!
Do keep fountain bowls filled to proper level to maintain its proper operation. It is not recommended to leave the fountain running for several days unattended.

Clean with a soft cloth and change water frequently. Depending on the temperature and evaporation, you may see a buildup of white residue on fountain surfaces from mineral deposits in the water. Do not use abrasive cleansers or scrub material as you may damage the fountain surface.

Do use an algicide in the water to prevent algae growth, especially in hot weather. Algea can damage the fountain surface and will clog the pump filter causing it to overheat and burn out.

Do clean the filter cover on your pump at least twice a week. To do so, just shut off the fountain and access the pump wiping the plastic screen over the pump gently with your fingers and removing any leaves or debris that may have been sucked up against the pump. You do not need to remove the pump or the cover to clean. Restart the fountain by re-engaging the electric.

NEVER let the fountain run dry.

How Do I Get Rid of the Algae in My Fountain?

First of all, there's primarily 2 types of algae that plagues most people's ornamental fountains; string algae and the notorious plankton algae that makes your fountain water green like a "lovely" bowl of split pea soup (yuck). Both types of algae grow by somewhat different methods, so I will explain each one of them to you individually.

String algae is pretty simple. It usually grows along the bottom or edges of your pond where there isn't a lot of water circulation. It looks like a bunch of green hair and looks pretty awful, too. You can help to reduce string algae in your fountain by increasing your water circulation and by adding organic barley straw . The barley straw acts as an organic algaecide as well as increases your bio-filtration. If you already have string algae, barley straw is not going to get rid of it so you will have to follow these instructions to kill the string algae. First of all, you remove the water from your fountain or waterfall (ideal time to do that is during Spring Cleaning) and liberally sprinkle Kosher Salt on it ( it must be Kosher Salt and NOT table salt). Let it sit for at least 3 days and then brush off and rinse and clean the fountain thoroughly. Use barley straw as a preventative from recurring string algae growth. It takes 3-8 weeks for barley straw to become an active organic algaecide, so start EARLY.

Plankton, our lovely "pea soup" algae is probably the most common type of algae in ponds and lakes. It's the stuff that makes the water look green. The best way to explain how to get rid of plankton algae is first understand what causes it to grow in the first place.

Plankton requires sunlight and nutrition to grow. The sunlight obviously comes from the sun and the nutrition comes from bi-products from fish waste, dead and decaying leaves, and plants. Most fountains I've seen have at least some, if not all of the above nutrients in them (and green water, too!). The way to get rid of or reduce the amount of algae in your fountain is by reducing the amount of sunlight and nutrients available to the algae (and of course, having a proper size pump and filter). Sunlight can be reduced by providing shade to your fountain. You can also use a "sun blocker" chemical such as AquaShade for large fountains, Black Pond Shade or Algae Blocker Pond Dye for small to medium size fountains. Nutrients on the other hand, can be reduced in a couple of different ways.

To reduce the nutrients in your fountain that is causing your algae to thrive, you first need to clean your fountain. Get rid of any dead and decaying leaves on the bottom or along the sides of the fountain.
The next way to get rid of the nutrients in your fountain is by adding beneficial bacteria to it You see, there are 2 types of bacteria; the "bad" kind of bacteria and the good kind! Bad types of bacteria can cause a lot of problems. The good, or "beneficial" bacteria is a type of bacteria that consume the same nutrients as algae does. So,when you add more beneficial bacteria, you starve out the algae, thus resulting in a clearer fountain! It is absolutely vital to any healthy fountain. So what do you need to do to establish some beneficial bacteria? Provide them a place to grow on (the more surface area the better) like our AquaMats® and add beneficial bacteria on a regular basis. Establishing a nice colony of beneficial bacteria can take 3-8 weeks but you can actually get a "jump start" on things by adding some beneficial bacteria. The best product we've used is an all natural product called Microbe Lift. It works great and it can be used throughout the season as a good maintenance plan and keeping your fountain clear.

Beneficial bacteria's effectiveness is enhanced by the use of an aerator. Proper aeration also adds to the overall health of the fountain and can get rid of the "bad" types of bacteria growing.
Good Luck

Answer 2

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RE:
What is the best way to clean a small fountain from green algae so that it stay clean for a long time?
We have a little fountain (200 l) which pumps the water permanently through three stones. I have to brush the stones twice the week otherwise they get green and look terrible. Has anyone an idea how I can prevent that the stones get green?

Answer 3

For a single cleaning - use a bleach solution. Let it soak but do NOT run the pump. (The bleach will destroy the pump.)

Then go to the pet store and get an algaecide from the aquarium section to cut back on the algae. You'll never get rid of all the algae, but you can keep it under control.

Answer 4

The bleach will get rid of the algae but it will eat up the rubber seals in the pump. Chlorine that you use for pools would do the same thing. How the chlorine or bleach affects the pump depends mainly on how the pump is designed. Algie control chemical can probably be bought at any aquarium store.

Answer 5

Try a product called CLR.That stands for calcium/lime/rust.This contains a chemical that inhibits algae from forming in the first place.If that's too harsh,a paste made of 2 parts baking soda and 1 part vinegar will work well.

Answer 6

My fountain is in the shade and is full of Plankton algae. I have to clean it every week or two. I do have a puppy who like to drink out of it.

Answer 7

Water Feature Cleaner

Answer 8

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Answer 9

For a similar problem,I used a marine clear varnish. It is used by boat owners to seal the hulls of their craft and prevent a build-up of algae. I bought it in an aquatic centre and it can be used to seal numerous other items in the garden to prevent weathering. You are going to have to find a supplier but good luck.

Answer 10

If there are no animals/fish/ other wildlife in there, add a little bleach. It will clean up the algae.

Answer 11

If you don't have any fish or anything it could kill, I use Clorox Clean up, you just spray it in there, let it set a few minutes and rinse it off or out. I use it in a fountain I have in my front yard and it works great, and no trouble.