Best way to control algae

[barryian]

The installation of a UV sterilizer is the most efficient and trouble free approach to preventing the formation of green water. Algae growing on rocks or liner will not be affected, only green floating algae that will be destroyed when it passes through the UV sterilizer. The UV unit should be installed after the filter to assure it gets clean water without debris that will reduce performance. Unit selection is very important to assure success. Flow rate is very important and must be matched to the UV unit selected. If the flow is too slow, algae spores will be generated in the pond faster than they can be destroyed by UV radiation. If the flow rate is too fast (not enough dwell time in contact with UV) the algae will not be destroyed. This is a no brain er.

Bravo !!! Agreed !!! Owner of 2 UV's running !!!!

 

[Meyer Jordan]

Sorry, disagree! Besides, no chemicals added with a UV.

Strange never had an algae problem without a UV in all of the ponds that I have even serviced.

 

[Meyer Jordan]

What if expense isn't an issue and you can not have plants?

I will accede that In an incomplete eco-system, such as a dedicated Koi pond, artificial devices are needed.

 

[Smaug]

Strange never had an algae problem without a UV in all of the ponds that I have even serviced.

And I've never seen a pond in full sunlight with minimal plants that DOESN'T have green water. If you set a bucket of clean tap water out in the sun it will get green water algae . A uv light will cause no problems at all other then an elevated electric bill and the possible side affect of some free floating parasites killed .

 

[barryian]

Strange never had an algae problem without a UV in all of the ponds that I have even serviced.

Never? That is quite amazing. I've had UV's as long as I can remember but keep in mind, many of us do not have complete eco systems. I have no place for plants and if I did, yes, possibly that would compete with the algae. For now, we like seeing our beautiful friends of nature swimming around. Without UV's, I'd need to be adding a phosphate remover. I prefer to control it with a UV. I have the time to put in to my pond since I don't work and it's always been a passion, never work. If it's a bit more work maintaining, I cherish it. Actually, it's not much work at all. Just took down the pvc and netting, did a partial water change, filled the pre-filter and everything is full steam ahead, with exception of the 2 UV's. Not needed yet.
Make sense?

 

[Meyer Jordan]

Never? That is quite amazing. I've had UV's as long as I can remember but keep in mind, many of us do not have complete eco systems. I have no place for plants and if I did, yes, possibly that would compete with the algae. For now, we like seeing our beautiful friends of nature swimming around. Without UV's, I'd need to be adding a phosphate remover. I prefer to control it with a UV. I have the time to put in to my pond since I don't work and it's always been a passion, never work. If it's a bit more work maintaining, I cherish it. Actually, it's not much work at all. Just took down the pvc and netting, did a partial water change, filled the pre-filter and everything is full steam ahead, with exception of the 2 UV's. Not needed yet.
Make sense?

Makes perfect sense. For those that prefer that the fish be the sole focus of attention and are willing to sacrifice the other environmental attributes of eco-system aquatic habatats, artificial methods of controlling this environment to attain this goal are understandable. My point is that in ponds that are more eco-oriented any artificial methods, treatments or equipment to influence water quality are completely unnecessary, with few exceptions, and at times actually negatively impact the aquatic system.

 

[barryian]

Makes perfect sense. For those that prefer that the fish be the sole focus of attention and are willing to sacrifice the other environmental attributes of eco-system aquatic habatats, artificial methods of controlling this environment to attain this goal are understandable. My point is that in ponds that are more eco-oriented any artificial methods, treatments or equipment to influence water quality are completely unnecessary, with few exceptions, and at times actually negatively impact the aquatic system.

I totally understand where you're coming from Meyer, just as you do I. When my grandkids gather around that pond and see those beautiful sharp colors while they feed them, watching the feeding frenzy, it brings joy to my heart and theirs.

 

[addy1]

And I've never seen a pond in full sunlight with minimal plants that DOESN'T have green water. If you set a bucket of clean tap water out in the sun it will get green water algae . A uv light will cause no problems at all other then an elevated electric bill and the possible side affect of some free floating parasites killed .

My ponds are in total full toasty sun sunrise to almost sunset. I depend on my plants to keep the pond going nicely. I never have green water even before the lilies etc get going. Plants do a great job keeping a pond nice.

 

[barryian]

My ponds are in total full toasty sun sunrise to almost sunset. I depend on my plants to keep the pond going nicely. I never have green water even before the lilies etc get going. Plants do a great job keeping a pond nice.

I'd love a way to get some hardy water lilies going this year but my big boys have a ball digging. If it were soilless,
maybe with litter of some media and heavy 4" river rock, it would work.... 4 feet deep... any experience on raising then?
Possibly 2 cinder blocks on a few sheets of pond liner and then the blocks? Suggestions? Thx

 

[addy1]

Mine are from 10 inches to 4 feet deep, the deep ones bloom a little bit less, but do grow just fine. You can put them on milk crates etc to raise them a little higher. I do not have koi, so I have no issues growing them i.e. digging.

 

[barryian]

Mine are from 10 inches to 4 feet deep, the deep ones bloom a little bit less, but do grow just fine. You can put them on milk crates etc to raise them a little higher. I do not have koi, so I have no issues growing them i.e. digging.

Dah, Milk crates! Great idea! I have several of them .... Thanks Addy .... Also, I was having a conversation with the owner of Cascade Pond Supply from Oregon but can't think of his name. Is their a directory? Had a question for him as we have the same
bead filter. Thanks ....

 

[Smaug]

I had zero green water for the past 2 yrs as well with no uv but I had about 100 lbs of lily tubers growing. I got tired of all the debris from dead lily leaves and all the other sediment I couldn't clean. At the end of last year I removed them and fed them to the chickens. It's gonna be nice seeing my fish again and being able to actually keep my pond clean. I know I will have green water,I also know I don't mind using a uv. I also have a rather large fish load with most of my koi being over 18 inches . I would rather see them then plants.

 

[addy1]

I see both, the lilies are in the shallower end, the fish hang out there swimming among the pads or in the deep end which is clear water. But my pond is 26 or so feet long.

 

[Lisak1]

Same. We get a short 45 minutes or so of late afternoon shade, but full sun in the heat if the day and have no issue with green water, ever. Lots of pond plants and a good sized wetland filter works great for us.

We have big koi and half a dozen potted lilies in the pond - they never touch them. I don't know if it's a learned behavior or what, but they never bother any of my plants, except the floaters - they love those. But those are cheap and multiply quickly so I don't mind if they eat them. They do poke around constantly in the gravel at the bottom of the pond - maybe that satisfies their urge to dig. The frogs cause me more aggravation - the love to dig up my marginal grasses. We've just had to agree to disagree on that issue!

 

[MitchM]

Green water is not necessarily a bad thing. I have green water at sometime every year.
It keeps the pond water healthy for it's inhabitants.
It would be best to educate children why algae populations fluctuate in the first place.

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