algae in pond

[yardmanlee]

what is the best method/ chemical to control this that would be safe for the creatures living in the pond ?

[NCSULandscaper]

large pond or landscape pond?

In our farm ponds we use Blue Stone(Copper Sulfate) in modest amounts and another type of algae killer for our landscape ponds

[yardmanlee]

small landscape pond

[NCSULandscaper]

in that case, i use Pond Care Algae Fix, i buy my supplies from http://www.pondusa.com/treat6.htm#ALGAEFIX

[ClearValley]

You could also incorporate a filtration system with a UV light, also if possible shade the pond, don't overfeed the fish those are three things that will help stop it. Algae Fix works great as well!

[cgland]

I use Algae Fix. Works like a charm. I usually get a small algae bloom once per year and it clears it right up w/ no harm to fish. Just make sure you know your exact gallonage before introducing any chemicals into a pond.

[yardmanlee]

thanks guys !!!

[MuirviewJosh]

JMO -- in all artificial (man-made) water habitats whether it be fish tanks or ponds, you are looking to find a way to incorporate a natural biological filtration method. Algae in most cases feeds off of nitrates the same chemical used to fertilize lawns. In ponds these nitrates are a byproduct of the nitrogen cycle that is present in all such applications.

The nitrogen cycle is as follows-

1-Uneaten food and fish waste decompose in the water forming ammonia. Highly toxic to fish and some plants.

2-This ammonia breaks down and turns into Nitrites after a bit. This is also very toxic to fish in quantity.

3- The natural bacteria that is fostered in your rocks, and hopefully your filtration system in the form of bio-balls, breaks these Nitrites down and the byproduct is then nitrates. Nitrates are non-toxic to fish, but pose another problem in the form of problematic algae.

4- There are only two ways to export nitrates. Partial water changes from time to time, or nurturing something called anaerobic bacteria. A close cousin to the aerobic bacteria, this bacteria lives in the dead spaces in your pond deep in the rocks and sand. Most people will balk at the idea, but if you put 4 to 5 inches of pea gravel along w/ some sand at the bottom of your pond this will grow the much desired anaerobic bacteria. These buggers feed exclusively on nitrates and the byproduct of this reaction is good old nitrogen released into the air in the form of bubbles from time to time.

UV filtration incorporated into the setup should only be turned on after about six weeks of seasoning your pond. This gives the biological filtration a chance to seed and start to do its job. Otherwise the UV filter will kill all unicellular creatures that pass through it and will not be able to keep up w/ the algae after some time all by itself.

just my two cents, well more like a quarter.