New garden pond gone green what to do.?

Answer 1

That straw crap doesn't work. Don't bother with it.

Algae bloom comes from excess nutrients in the water. There are two ways to deal with it, either you remove the nutrients, or you filter the algae. If your pond is large enough, say 1000 gallons or more, you can try to "balance" the water. This means that you plant thinks like anacharis, myriophyllum, parrot's feather, lilies, and marginals in sufficient number to use the nutrients in the water, thereby eliminating the ability for algae to grow. I've done this in a cooler location (Nevada) than where I'm at now (Tennessee). It doesn't work as well as you go to a warmer clime. Now I use a good-sized pump, a UV sterilizer, and a waterfall filter. It works quite well. The UV sterilizer actually kills the algae, after which it is filtered out.

Forget the rest, chemicals only work for a short time, barley straw doesn't work at all, fountains do nothing.

Answer 2

Water in new ponds takes some time to establish itself, whilst its ecosytem of bacteria etc. builds up. For this reason, it's not a good thing to stock with fish and aquatic life too quickly.

Algae needs sun and nutrients to grow - we've had a warm sunny spring which has helped them to thrive this year. Had similar issues myself.

Anything which removes sunlight from the water will help, in addition to treatments that are safe for the environment only. Now that my water lillies are well grown, the algae has faced a tougher time, as it's getting less light. If you can get 50-70% water surface coverage by plants, this will greatly reduce it. I also shade around the edges, where there are less leaves, which reduces algae's energy source: within a week or so, you should see a difference. I've got a floating hippo head which, though some may see this as tacky, reduces light too.

Make sure that there is no run-off from the garden soil, which will add the nutrients needed for algae to grow. If you're planting water plants, ensure that they're in appropriate containers and don't overfeed, for the same reasons.

A pump with filters will process the water and remove alot of the green algae. If you have Economy 7 electricity, and the pump is quiet, perhaps you could run this primarily at night, to reduce costs a bit - or this could be run 24x7.

There's another type of algae, called blanket weed or Spirogyra, which produces masses of really fine threads:this has been mentioned here. You'll probably have some of this at some point, if not already. You can remove this by wrapping around a cane, as well as using treatments-barley straw that someone mentioned is good, although heavy infestations may typically need prolongued or repeat treatments : always better if you can remove some manually. Submerged plants compete for the nutrients in the water, with all algae types, so add some when everything is ready.

For blanket weed I've used a commercial product made from the active ingredients in barley straw etc. and it is effective. I realise that you may not have this algae, but will probably get it at some point. Otherwise, avoid leaves falling into the water from plants and trees as these decay and feed algae too.

This product should help alot:with clearing your algae: Bio-claire Rapide Mini£7.99
http://shop.stapeleywg.com/store/Range.aspx?t=cid28&parent=68

Good luck! Rob

Answer 3

There are two routes for you to try: One is purchasing discs or balls that are sold in larger garden centers. These items contain something that is poisonous to the algae, but to nothing else in the pond. I think it is a vitamin or mineral or something that the algae does NOT like. The other route is more expensive, but done correctly looks cool. A fountain of some sort. Moving water will disturb the algae enough that it will not fill up the pond. Before you put the fountain in be aware of two things: one, you have to clean out some of the algae first. Two: it won't get rid of all the algae like the discs or balls will. Either way, your pond will look nicer!

Answer 4

You do get stuff from any shop that sells fish. I used to hire a vacuum from them and cleaned the pond. Too much hard work, have given all the fish away and now i have a lovely garden in the pond. But you do get a liquid you pour into the fish pond. It clears it up within seconds.:)

Answer 5

not too complicated.find out the volume of your pond.buy a submersible pump that will handle solids and will change the water volume on an hourly basis.put a uv filter in the line and a filter that contains sponges an a bateria. you may have to clean out the filter every few days for the first week but after that you should have clear water. wash the sponge filters in water that you have taken from the pond (not tap water).it works for me.also try to shade the pond as sunlight encourages algae growth.all the best.by the way b&q seem to be the cheapest for pumps and filters

Answer 6

ok now are there any fish in the pond

if so you will need a pump and filter to keep it clean.

buy some mini bales of straw from any aquatic store and put them in. weighted down so they sink.

if its a wild life pond, just put in the mini bales of straw, add plants and leave it to nature it will clear.

our nature pond always goes green once the tadpoles have hatched. but the plants, barley straw bales, and floating solar powered fountain all help its now totally clear again.


fish make the pond dirty so you will need a filter,

Answer 7

The key to a healthy, clear water is to achieve a balance between the various inhabitants. The plants absorb the mineral salts and carbon dioxide from the water and, in the presence of sunlight, create food materials and oxygen. The fish absorb oxygen through their gills; apart from their aesthetic attraction they feed on such pests such as water-lily beetles, aphids and caddis flies. They also fertilise the plants with their excreta.
So long as the plants -particularly the submerged oxygenators get plenty of light and have to compete for minerals, the microscopic algae that make the water murky will have little chance to thrive. Murky green water indicates that there are too few underwater oxygenating plants to compete for the available light and minerals, or that too little shade is cast by water-Lillie's. Correct these causes of imbalance, and then if necessary you can use permanganate of potash to clear the water. Make a saturated solution by shaking the crystals in a jar of water until they are dissolved. Stir in a maximum of one tea spoonful (5ml) of the solution for every 50 litres of water in your pool. The water should not turn more than a mild shade of pink and should clear in a few days; if necessary , repeat later in season.

Professional Gardner for 30 odd yrs,Specialise in aquatics

Answer 8

Buy a bottom-feeding fish, or several, if the pond is large. They will eat the algae

Answer 9

if you use tap water to fill your pond you should use fresh start
made by interpet. or goodbye green water made by nishikoi normally you can buy from any garden centre.

Answer 10

The green stuff is algae!
You can buy fish that will eat it and keep it clean!