I have a 3000 gallon pond in my backyard but this year we have tons of algae that is sticking to the liner. everyday i go out and spend 10 minutes removing the stuff that has come loose.. Can I buy some sort of algae eating fish that can live trough the winter up here in montreal???
I have 8 goldfish and 2 koi. They seem to prefer the floating fish food rather than the algae... Please help.
2007-05-25 08:53:13 · 5 answers · asked by Dev 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
In a pond that size a water change to reduce nutrients isn't really practical for most people, but if you have the time and resources to do so that would be a good starting place. Using a variety of live plants that will use nutrients from the water as well as shade the pond a bit would also be a good idea. Lilies of course are excellent for shade plants and things such as cabomba or hornwort are good for nutrient use. I would however suggest you grow those last two in a basket to prevent them from taking over the pond and to make removal of them easier before a freeze.
Using barley straw is also helpful in preventing further algae growth. It won't help with what is already there, but will slow the spread or growth on new algae. It's available packaged for pond use in better pet stores and home centers.
The only fish I would suggest for you is triploid grass carp. They can stand the temperatures as well as the goldfish and are eating machines when it comes to algae. Check your local listings for pond fish suppliers including commercial freshwater fisheries suppliers for those fish.
MM
2007-05-25 12:22:18 · answer #1 · answered by magicman116 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make sure your pond isn't getting too much sunlight, as that could be the source of the problem. Snails might eat the algae, but you'd need a team of 10+ for a 3,000 gallon pond.
~ZTM
2007-05-25 11:55:02 · answer #2 · answered by ZooTycoonMaster 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It seems you have a filamentous algae problem. As the article below suggests, maybe you should look to investing some plants to take up the excess nutrients in the water.
2007-05-25 09:39:58 · answer #3 · answered by wislom00 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can try various snail species, some might eat your algae, but most will die off during the winter. I would recommend ramshorn snails or the common pond snail. I have heard of japanese trapdoor snails eating algae too.
2007-05-25 09:38:08 · answer #4 · answered by yoink 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Theres not really any aglgae eaters that could go in a pond,
2007-05-25 09:14:59 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋