How do I keep the green algae from growing in my fountain?

Question

I can't use the over-the-counter products as my dog and (alot!) of birds drink from it...

Answer 1

You can either use barley straw bales, or you can use a small amount of bleach in the water. If the bleach is used in a diluted enough amount it will kill off the algae and not harm your dog or birds. The bleach does the same effect as chlorinating the water, just like city water systems do. For animals, use about three-quarters of a teaspoon of bleach per gallon of water. One teaspoon is equal to about 5cc's if you use a syringe to measure. I grew up raising rabbits and the vets would recommend doing that to keep algae and bacteria out the rabbit drinking bowls. It is a preventative to help prevent disease. They used to recommend 1 teaspoon or 5cc's per gallon, but many of the bleach manufacturers now have concentrated their bleach formula so that you need only 3/4ths of a cup of bleach instead of one cup. Make sure to use regular bleach and not any with scents or other stuff in it.

www.bestfish.com/barlybal.html
www.dougsbarleystraw.com

Answer 2

For a single cleansing - use a bleach answer. enable it soak yet do not run the pump. (The bleach will harm the pump.) Then pass to the puppy keep and get an algaecide from the aquarium section to diminish back on the algae. you will by no skill do away with each and all of the algae, yet you may shop it below administration.

Answer 3

I have the same problem because my Fountain is directly in the Sun and Algae grows fast in it. I asked a Florist about this problem and he told me to Use 1 cup of Clorox in it each week and it recirculates and kills Algae. Made since to me since people use Clorine Tablets or granuales in their Swimming Pools. And Yes it does work in the Fountain, I have been using it.

Answer 4

the blue colored over counter liquid is safe for birds and chipmun ks and have used for years, but is not good for dogs or cats. the safest to use for all is the barley straw small bales, which can be bought in any place that sells pond, pumps for ponds and such.

Answer 5

well...
only 1 thing helps in such a case...
.
.
.
CLEAN IT REGULARLY.
trust me, it wont be much of a trouble once it comes into ur schedule.
no need to use harmful chemicals as u described that ur birds and dog drink from it...
but at least you can scrub the area.

hope this works.

Answer 6

I have read in a few places that putting a small bundle of barley straw floating in the water stops this. Sort of tennis ball size. Where you get barley straw, I have no idea!

Answer 7

Does the chlorax kill the pump? I started adding a small amount of bleach and now a month or so later my pump quit.

Answer 8

i aslo heard and just did it today my self,, though i have a pond with gold fish,, they say use 1 cup of listerine mouth wash in the water it kills algea and wont kill animals who may live or drink from it...