Green Water

[mjz3348]

I have a two year old 10,000 gallon pond. The water is pea soup green. I only see my Koi when they come to the top to feed.
I have a stream gravel system as a bio-filter. The water is very healthy, high oxygen and the fish look terrific (when I see them).

A UV system is not practical for this size pond. Is there a more natural way to control the microscopic green algae floating in the water?

I have several Lily's growing around the pond and they are doing great.

I am thinking of adding Hornwort to help compete for nutrients thinking that might help control the algae. Any other suggestions welcome!

Thanks

 

[Shdwdrgn]

The more plants you have, the better off you will be, especially in your stream. I think grasses and rushes are supposed to be good at scrubbing the water? Otherwise having lots of lilies and other floating plants is the only thing I know of, and it sounds like you've got that covered.

 

[sissy]

Is your pond mostly in sun and that will be a big pond to take care of .I now on the net the have an ionizer that is used for large lakes and ponds ,it is not cheap and not sure how well it works .It may be an option to look into .

 

[addy1]

I filter my pond (around 10-11k gallons) just with a large bog, no green water issues. Maybe you can add to your stream gravel filter system, or even add a separate bog system.

I am totally tickled with how well my pond stays with my simple bog.

 

[mjz3348]

My pond is in the sun most of the day. This is terrific for the Lillies...but also terrific for the algae.
I may have to redesign an area around the pond to add a more thorough bog (i.e. water running up through) - my stream runs over the gravel. I should have designed it to pump water from underneath the gravel. That was a big mistake - but I wanted the water fall effect.

I'll post a pic.

 

[pecan]

I think this is typical this time of year because the algae is outgrowing the plants. Once your plants take off (add more if you can, bog being the best option) they will eat all the nutrients leaving nothing for the algae then the algae goes away. *

*I am only repeating what I have read as I am new to ponding and don't have more than a year hands on experience

 

[addy1]

My pond is in the sun most of the day. This is terrific for the Lillies...but also terrific for the algae.
I may have to redesign an area around the pond to add a more thorough bog (i.e. water running up through) - my stream runs over the gravel. I should have designed it to pump water from underneath the gravel. That was a big mistake - but I wanted the water fall effect.

I'll post a pic.

Just make an area, if you can, where the water is pumped up through some gravel and plants. that will help you

 

[mjz3348]

Just make an area, if you can, where the water is pumped up through some gravel and plants. that will help you

I am going to give that a shot ... but I am curious why my "river" plants had not done the job of extracting the nutrients. Their roots are all throughout the river pebbles/gravel. And the leaves are luxurious (great food supply).

 

[addy1]

Maybe not enough surface area in your river, I am sure it is helping though. Water is lazy it will go the easiest route, right over the gravel. My bog is an up flow, about 1/3 the size of my pond. Full of plants,