Is there any way to stop Green stringy algae growing in my garden pond?

Question

This Algae is attached to the side of the pond wall.I have tried Barley straw but that does'nt work. The filter system is keeping the water crystal clear & the PH & ammonia/nitrate levels are fine.
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

Using bleach is obviously a no-no and it's a stupid idea to clean it all out and re-fill with rain water, that's too acidic for your fish. If it's blanket weed then it's just advisable to treat it on a regular basis - Evolution Aqua Blanket Weed Inhibitor, Interpet Pond Balance and Blanc-Kit are among a few of the more popular treatments around. If it's just algae (which you normally suffer worse with in a linered pond) then other treatments are available but basically it's a living organism that plagues a lot of pond-keepers. The fish actually benefit from the bits of algae in your pond so unless it's such an eye-sore for you that you just can't bare it, i'd just leave it alone. Water changes are good for your system but again your just adding more nitrates into your pond from the tap which feeds algae/blanket weed. I'd try to get hold of an algae-kit as opposed to a balnket weed controller though if you are gonna try and keep it clearer.

Answer 2

String algae--what a mess it can be. I also have a pond with a waterfall and fountain. On my waterfall I turn off the pumps and use hydrogen peroxide (regular brown plastic bottle found at any store) on it. The hydrogen peroxide will not harm your fish. I have Koi and Goldfish in my pond. Then spray it off with the water hose. I also use a new toilet brush to remove any string algae from the pond itself. Just twirl it around and you can remove a lot of the string algae. I have found it will run it course and will go away. Also I would recommend you go to www.gardenweb.com--go to forums then to ponds and aquatic plants. There you will find other ponders who can answer any and most all of your pond questions.
Hope this helps..

Answer 3

You will never clear your pond completely of algae/blanket weed.
Rather than resort to chemicals just take a garden cane, and keeping clear of any fish, roll the cane around the edges, as if to make a candy floss. It winds itself around the cane, making it easy to remove.Its on going, but safer and healthier for your fish.
I have just bought an ultra-violet system, which is supposed to be excellent for this type of problem. I've seen the results from a family member,whose pond is crystal clear!! Worth a try!!!

Answer 4

This is blanket weed and it grows even in fountains or ponds that have no fish in them. It is extremely difficult to get rid off particularly if the sides of the pond have a chalky residue in which the weed embeds itself and it starts again when pulled out. It thrives in warmer water and therefore is worse in the summer and due to climate change it no longer disappears in the winter. There are various products that keep it under control , but they are expensive and you have to use them frequently.
I have found by experience over thirty years that is draws the same nourishment out of the water as "duck weed" (water lentils) and that, when we did not skim this off our pond , the blanket weed receded almost completely. I think that the duck weed is the lesser of the two evils as the blanket weed is a threat to oxygenating plants and the fish, if you have any, as they get entangled in it. The duck weed gives shade to the fish at the height of the summer and is easily skimmed off when it gets too prolific.We also put an awning on the pond on very sunny days to try to keep the water cooler, which the fish prefer.
Unorthodox, I know , but it works for us.

Answer 5

algae is natural and should be welcomed in a pond, only when the water is green is it a problem
the only way to eliminate algae is to control the amount of light the pond receives
you could add more pond plants or plant shrubs around pond to shade it and install some sort of awning over the pond

Answer 6

Sorry can't help, I tried Barley straw too but it did not work. Emptied the pond and cleaned it all off and it still comes back, I am at a loss also.
It usually goes in the winter but not this year. I will watch for any advice you receive.

Answer 7

The cause of this "Blanket weed" is sunlight and chemicals as in tap water. The only thing to do would be to empty the pond, scrub all the weed off the sides and re-fill using rainwater. Make sure any plants you put in are weed free. Add the barley straw as before but only use rainwater to top it up. We had this problem for years before someone told us how to get rid of it and now the pond is totally free of blanket weed.

Answer 8

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Answer 9

I use a cane to fish it out wrap it round like spaghetti then put plenty of plants to help shade it from the sun but you shouldn't have it at this time of year, also put some fish in in the spring time and a pump to circulate the water. Still water will always have a problem.

Answer 10

Barley straw will do the trick, just put it in the pond and watch the algae disappear in about a week.