Algae and Your Pond

Joined
Jun 5, 2013
Messages
2,189
Reaction score
1,332
Location
NC, US
Showcase(s):
1
Hardiness Zone
7a
Country
United States
Nepen, I am having the same problem. Lots of tadpoles among the algae. Guess I will be waiting to net the algae out.
I've had toad and frogs lay eggs in my pond since April... non stop.... I hope I get a break sometimes soon :) Just so I can net the algae out with out wondering what type of frog eggs i scooped out.
 
Joined
Oct 27, 2011
Messages
1,993
Reaction score
1,786
Location
BC Canada
Here is a video showing some of the dominant algae currently in my pond. Rock fuzz and wispy thread algae.
I like the looks of both but the wispy stuff breaks into tiny fragments easily when disturbed. So much so that when the fish get excited, spawning or feeding etc, they can really stir up the algae and cloud the water. The filters catch most of it, but it means cleaning the filters more often.
 
Joined
May 25, 2016
Messages
69
Reaction score
9
Country
Canada
In historical situations I find a ton of pond plants and lily pads work best to control the algae. Less sun light helps. Also toss a couple snails in the pond to clean the bottom. Koi will also eat algae off the side of your walls.
 
Joined
Apr 22, 2011
Messages
1,305
Reaction score
806
Location
carolinas
Hardiness Zone
8a
Yup, a well planted pond can obliterate algae, and make a pond anemic of fertility, in just two weeks in the growing season. Then you can think about pepping up your favourite plants with targeted feeding, eg sticks, spikes, pellets, slow release, inserted under their positions
 
Joined
Dec 21, 2015
Messages
1,416
Reaction score
762
Location
Hershey, PA
Showcase(s):
2
Hardiness Zone
6A
Country
United States
Fortunately I don't have koi, so I can utilize water lettuce, hyacinths, and frog bits.
 
Joined
Oct 28, 2013
Messages
13,386
Reaction score
13,817
Location
Northern IL
Showcase(s):
1
Fortunately I don't have koi, so I can utilize water lettuce, hyacinths, and frog bits.

Just wanted to say we have koi and also put hyacinths and frog it in our pond- they leave the hyacinths alone other than nibbling off the roots and the frog bit grows in the nooks and crannies that the big fish can't get their noses into.
 
Joined
Dec 21, 2015
Messages
1,416
Reaction score
762
Location
Hershey, PA
Showcase(s):
2
Hardiness Zone
6A
Country
United States
Just wanted to say we have koi and also put hyacinths and frog it in our pond- they leave the hyacinths alone other than nibbling off the roots and the frog bit grows in the nooks and crannies that the big fish can't get their noses into.

Clearly your koi are well trained and well fed. Dont bring them to visit my fish. They will learn how to misbehave quickly.
 
Joined
Oct 28, 2013
Messages
13,386
Reaction score
13,817
Location
Northern IL
Showcase(s):
1
Clearly your koi are well trained and well fed. Dont bring them to visit my fish. They will learn how to misbehave quickly.

Ha! I've often wondered about learned behavior and fish - if you get one naughty one do the rest follow along? Mine don't really bother any if my plants, luckily for them. Otherwise they'd be in timeout!
 

sissy

sissy
Joined
Jan 17, 2011
Messages
33,086
Reaction score
15,707
Location
Axton virginia
Showcase(s):
1
Hardiness Zone
7A
Country
United States
I think fish do learn bad behavior because my other fish follow aggie and bert (koi) and do exactly what they do .I have tried and tried with plants and so far only plants hanging off the side of the pond work .I can raise and lower them .I had the plant rings in and aggie would flip them over so she had access to them .
 
Joined
May 25, 2016
Messages
69
Reaction score
9
Country
Canada
You will never eliminate algae in full entirety. And you want some int he pond as it is healthy. It is unsightly but just needs to be controlled.
 
Joined
May 6, 2016
Messages
467
Reaction score
248
Location
Upstate CA
Hardiness Zone
7
You will never eliminate algae in full entirety. And you want some int he pond as it is healthy. It is unsightly but just needs to be controlled.
I respect all of you that put the frogs above the appearance of your ponds for a few weeks. With all the pollution it seems in the natural waterways, frogs are more and more dependant on pond owners to care for the environment, even in a small way. Kudos guys! And pat yourselves on the back thats its as much about the future as it is about personal beauty. I bet you didnt see that coming when you first built your pond!
 
Joined
Jun 5, 2013
Messages
2,189
Reaction score
1,332
Location
NC, US
Showcase(s):
1
Hardiness Zone
7a
Country
United States
Ha!
The past few days the algae are starting to disappear. I still have tons of them (that I cant take them out due to the frog eggs) but they are getting less thick and not growing more.

I dont think my plants are growing more than the last week to make the different in the intake of the nutrient, but constant rain might help flushing out the nutrient.

I have flowering rush that's quite invasive and chocolate mint that's very invasive and grow so quick in my bog. I'm planning not to have floating plant this year but lots of lilies and lotus instead. I know they dont compare in nutrient uptake thought.
 

Ask a Question

Want to reply to this thread or ask your own question?

You'll need to choose a username for the site, which only take a couple of moments. After that, you can post your question and our members will help you out.

Ask a Question

Members online

Forum statistics

Threads
31,536
Messages
518,526
Members
13,762
Latest member
JanaSteigr

Latest Threads

Top