Algae help!!

[gqwhirlwind]

My pond is only a couple months old about 900 gallons 12' x 17' rectangle. I need help eliminating the green algae clouding my water. I've added about 8 Anacharis bunches, i have about 20 small fish, i've tried Algae destroyer and added 14 oz of beneficial bacteria about 3 days ago and still no change. I don't have a lot of money to keep putting into my pond but i'd like to see my fish sometime. I live in Tx so it's about 100 degrees every day now.

 

[DrDave]

My pond is only a couple months old about 900 gallons 12' x 17' rectangle. I need help eliminating the green algae clouding my water. I've added about 8 Anacharis bunches, i have about 20 small fish, i've tried Algae destroyer and added 14 oz of beneficial bacteria about 3 days ago and still no change. I don't have a lot of money to keep putting into my pond but i'd like to see my fish sometime. I live in Tx so it's about 100 degrees every day now.

A good homemade bio filter will help keep it in check. Cheap to build and cost nothing to maintain. Search here for Bio filters and drdave and drcase to get details on how to do it.

 

[BBK]

I second the bio filter suggestion.

If you have a really bad case of it, like I do, you might want to invest in a UV sterilizer. A good UV matched with a good bio filter will keep your water crystal clear.
This is the one I have: http://www.sunterrausa.com/filtration/product/334018
I picked it up for $40 at menards 2 years ago.

 

[fish]

I have the same problem as gqwhrilwind. I've used alge destroyers and beneficial bacteria that haven't helped clear up the green alge. The pond is about 1,500 gallons with 7 good sized KOI about 15 gold fish and plenty of plants. I have the usual skimmer and biofalls filter, a 20w uv with a 720 gph pump and a heavy duty whole house water filter connected after the uv. The pond has rock side and bottom that are covered with green alge. I make a 50% water change every 7 to 10 days and refill with well water. I have accepted the green alge, stopped fighting it and just watch the fish root in the rocks and stir up the alge.

 

[DrDave]

Finally, someone who is willing to admit their UV is not doing it's job. I don't use them, have 105 degrees F full sunlight 12 hrs a day and no algae problems.
The key is a great bio filter and good circulation so it gets sucked into the bio filter where the 55 gallon drum will not let it past the overflow. The additional height is the secret to its success.
Use the search engine to find both mine and DrCases 55 gallon bio filters.
I get about 10 to 20 people here a week in So Cal that cannot wait to build theirs after seeing my ponds.

 

[fish]

Would my 750 gph pump be enough flow for a 55 gallon bio filter?

 

[DrDave]

That is at the low end. 1000 GPH or more would be better. It will likely work but I would have another pump going for additional circulation.

 

[fish]

Sorry, but I have an other question. I went back and read some of the posts for a 55 gallon bio filter. With my setup, the water is clear except when the fish disturb the alge. If I am pumping 750 gph through a uv and large whole house filter, that supposedly catches all of the fine stuff, what would the bio filter do that the house filter is now doing? I will build a bio filter if that would help. But it seems my problem is not clear water but green alge.

 

[koiguy1969]

u.v lights arent for string alge or blanket weed just green water single cell alge. so if your water is clear your u.v has already done its job. if your water went green ,you used your u.v and its clear. you can turn off your u.v. for the season. barley extract does work on string alge,but the treatment should be started when you open the pond.

 

[Raine]

build the bio filter and make sure you have a big enough pump and you won't have to do anything else. I have a uv light and I don't even use it any more, It didn't help me at all. Proper water circulation is the key.

 

[DrCase]

Mr Fish.... if you made a drum filter it would do a lot more than a whole house filter . I run around 750 thru each one of my drums.
It would fix your pond

 

[DrDave]

build the bio filter and make sure you have a big enough pump and you won't have to do anything else. I have a uv light and I don't even use it any more, It didn't help me at all. Proper water circulation is the key.

This is what I have been saying for years. People who have wasted their money on them won't admit they are not that good. My bio filter and good circulation keeps mine perfectly clear. It has been over 100 degrees daily with no clouds for weeks now and it is still clear.

 

[kirscp]

This is what I have been saying for years. People who have wasted their money on them won't admit they are not that good. My bio filter and good circulation keeps mine perfectly clear. It has been over 100 degrees daily with no clouds for weeks now and it is still clear.

My pond is crystal clear, the only filter item that I purchased was a UV, but that isn't on 24/7. It is connected to my skimmer pump and I turn my skimmer off during the day, otherwise it eats all the fish food. I don't think I need a UV. My old pond needed it, it all just depends on what type if filter system you have.

I do have a lot of filtration, but I build everything myself. I used my old pond liner to make a settling chamber, a 100 gallon stock tank to make my biofilter/waterfalls, and used a pool skimmer for my skimmer.

 

[gardenplanters]

Hi,
The pond is about 1,500 gallons with 7 good sized KOI about 15 gold fish and plenty of plants. I have the usual skimmer and biofalls filter, a 20w uv with a 720 gph pump and a heavy duty whole house water filter connected after the uv. The pond has rock side and bottom that are covered with green alge. I make a 50% water change every 7 to 10 days and refill with well water. I have accepted the green alge, stopped fighting it and just watch the fish root in the rocks and stir up the alge.

 

[DrDave]

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