What do I do about alage in a koi pond. What's the best thing to destroy it?

Answer 1

I have to dissagree with MM here ponds should be in full sun not in the shade. There are a few ways to control the algae in the pond and yes you can add a pleco they will winter in your pond, however do not expect them to eat much of the algae. As plecos grow and they will get large in your outdoor pond, they will create more problems than they are worth and as they get larger will not eat algae.

You can remove most algae by hand. Pain in the butt but scraping and a little elbow grease is one way.

Adding water lettuce and hythis is one of the best ways to control algae. These plants not only grow quickly your koi and goldies will eat the roots and larve that hide in them. they will also rob the pond's algae of its food there fore not allowing it to grow.

UVSterilizers do little to inhibit algae growth. I have them on my ponds and really, they are more for parasites than algae blooms.

There is also a tinting solution that will shade the pond, not harm the fish and kill the algae off. It is inexpensive and easy to use. It also will not harm floating plants or planted plants since they are above the water and getting sunlight.

I would stay away from snails since not only to they tend to take over, they attract unwanted birds which can eat smaller fish as well.

Barley straw takes forever and is a royal pain in the butt. Tinting agents are used in many outdoor commercial ponds for controling algae. It does not kill off algae so quickly that it adds to the problem anyone with a pond that has used them knows this. your filter will slowly pull the dieing algae out of the pond as well as any koi and goldfish fry will eat it (with no harmful effects).

I use it in all my ponds, more towards the latter end of the summer in August September. I raise Koi and goldfish for breeding and show and have never had harmfull effects or color variations in any of my fish because of its use.

Answer 2

A UV light would be the best method of destroying the algae. Also if your pond is new, it could be that the pond is just cycling and it takes a while for the bacteria in your filter to get established. Other methods include limiting shade or adding plants. Keep in mind that a little bit of algae is actually very good for you koi! Algae can serve as food to your koi and has been known to improve the color. Do not add a pleco fish to your pond! They get very large and when they do , they do nothing for the pond. Also they will not survive outside when it gets cold!
Good luck

Answer 3

I hope you know not to add a tropical fish to your pond. Unless you live in southern FL or further south they will just die in the fall or winter.

Deal with the algae by controlling it. It needs nutrients from the water and light to grow. Offer the pond some shade by adding a few floating plants or adding tall plants along the edge. This is a common problem in ponds that are placed where they get too much sunlight. There is a very common and entirely wrong myth that an ornamental pond should be placed in full sunlight. it should not unless you want heavy algae growth. Unfortunately that myth is all too alive and well from poor information in stores and around sites on the web. So shade the pond some for the first step.

If at all practical do a water change on the pond to reduce the nutrients in the water. If you can remove any waste and debris from the bottom all the better. You don't mention if this is free floating algae (greenwater) or attached algae, but if it is attached try to remove what you can manually as well.

Adding barley straw is an excellent way to help control additional algae growth in the pond, but won't help with the current problem. Barley straw is available with use instruction in most better aquarium shops or home and garden centers that carry pond supplies.

Try these methods before resorting to algae control chemicals. These chemicals may kill the algae, but the dead algae just becomes food for more algae and the problem will snow ball rapidly with repeated uses.

Hope that helps and if I can help further feel free to email me.

MM

Answer 4

There are many animals that are often smarter than netting. Raccoons are popular preditors. They can pull the fish out and away from the pond. There are also many predictory birds that could if the netting was just big enough. If you think you are 100% sure that it couldn't be a preditor, then someone could have stolen them. I've heard about this many times. Certain Koi and fetch very high prices (some easily go for thousands of dollars). If you have an expensive one, someone could think about getting the money off of it, or someone could think they could get money off of a cheap koi, not knowing how to judge the value of them.

Answer 5

If the koi don't keep the algae down it's tough. First thing is do not use chemicals. There is a plant called hornwort (you can google it) that naturally keeps down algae. You can buy it a pet stores and garden centers that sell pond supplies. Usually cost about 3.00 a portion (who knows what a portion is - sometimes a cup sometimes a bucket ??) Hornwort is an attractive plant and grows freely like a vine. It is also easy to manage.
Good Luck !

Answer 6

Dear Bill: look into getting a plecostomus catfish, siamese algae eaters, and even some snails for your algae problem.I don't know how they'd translate into a pond scenario as opposed to an aquarium but at least its some suggestions.The place were you bought your pond stock and supplies should be able to advise you..I would think they'd tell you to go with fish rather than some sort of chemical, since with chemicals you'd have to relocate your fish while you clean the pond, not to mention getting it habitable for the fish again after you used chemicals...good luck

Answer 7

Controlling algae is best doen by contolling nutirients, Redox, and most effectively; a properly installed UV Sterilizer (for free floating algae)

Nutrients can be controlled via filtration, especially veggie filters (which are a a simple DIY filter/system) which remove nutrients. A flow through system also helps with nutrient control.

You can maintain effective Redox Potential via UV Sterilization, flow through and proper electrolytes levels (which a GH above 100 ppm will aid)
For more about Ponds, filtration, veggie filters, UV connection, and a lot more, please read this article:
http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/ClearPond.html

UV sterilization needs to connected in such a way that the flow rate is no higher than 40 gph per watt.
For more about UV Sterilization:
http://americanaquariumproducts.com/AquariumUVSterilization.html

Other methods include algae magnets (very so so in effectiveness) and barley straw or pellets which contains iodine that in turn inhibits algae growth (this method again tends to have poor to fair results). If barley is used, the more concentrated pellets or extract are more effective.

Answer 8

get a plocastamus which is like a sucker fish/catfish it eat the algae right up! or take the fish out and kill it wit cholrine!hope im help full cuz im so dang awesome like tat!

Answer 9

UV sterilizer?


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