How can i get algae out of my backyard (homemade) fishpond?

Question

Water is always stagnant and murky even with a water fountain and filter. Cannot seems to get the water to clear, do not want to kill the Koi Fish in pond?

Answer 1

OK this is usually easier than you think. First the more sunlight in the water the more algae. Also a dark pond liner is best as it doesn't brighten the light in the pond. Murky water is usually new water that hasn't chemically balanced.

Simple cures:

1 don't ever empty the pond, you should pump out 25% of the water monthly and replace.(Don't simply top off what has evaporated.)
2 Block the sunlight (Add floating plants- 80% surface coverage when established is good)
3 Keep a pump running 24 hours per day (Mainly to control mosquitoes)
4 Don't let debris build up on the bottom of the pond, 1/4 inch max.
5 Be patient, ponds need time(sometimes several weeks) to balance chemical levels and clear murky water.
6 Nature has taken care of our planets waters for millions of years till we screw it up, let it run its course.

Hope this helps good luck

Answer 2

A higher oxygen content will deter algae. Also what kind of water are you using?Is it well water? Maybe there is already algae in the well. It is common. Or is it tap water, that does not have a good mineral balance. Do you know the mineral content of the water? You might want to speak to your local agricultural agent. They know a lot about algae overgrrowth. They consult for free, as you have a wildlife habitat in your yard. You might want to change your fountain to aerate more and the filter and pump to circulate more ofter. You might need a larger pump. It is very difficult to create a mini ecosystem like you have. If you are in semi-tropics, the water might just be too hot, which is conducive to algae growth.
Also what is your substrate? do you have a plastic liner that is black. This reflects back too much heat. Better a blue liner, or even better, get rid of liner and use just gravel and rock bottom that slowly seeps out water, and you slowly and the same rate of seepage add new water. You will need a leveler for this. It's great that you care for fish and tend a pond.

Answer 3

Check at a pet store like Petco or Home Depot that sell water plants that deter algae and there are also tablets that keep algae under control. If the fish pond is small you can put a bridge over part of it to keep some of the sun away from the pond that promotes the algae. A shade tree that doesnt shed leaves would help deter the rapid algae.

Answer 4

When you say stagnant, is the water circulating enough? I have found that Lowe's hardware has a good selection of pond products.Plants can also help the water quality and they are much more readily available as water features grow in popularity.

Answer 5

Algae control in ponds will not be successful until you first understand what creates algae.
I would suggest you visit my website where you find answers to your problem.
The URL is for the page describing how to deal with algae, however, in my fish care section you'll find that use of salt is another great approach to handle the problem.

Answer 6

Algae eating fish will help.

Clean your water filter.

Answer 7

Homemade Fish Pond

Answer 8

Some catalogs (Solutions, for one, I think) sell barley balls (clear plastic balls with barley straw inside) and similar products to help control algae in ponds. Since barley straw is all natural, you might check them out.

Answer 9

Here are some resources for you. You may infact need to "updgrade" your fountain to supply enough pressure to keep the water oxygenated.

Answer 10

Remove the fish and then use a pressure washer then put the fish back and voila