Help Green Water!!

[Sim19]

Hi, I have had my pond for around 5 years. It is around 16 X 24 with center about 3'deep, using a 5000 GPH pump with filter and a waterfall with lava rocks and filter. There are 2 lily pad plants in the pond and as of right now 3 fish. The 1st 2 years it was clear and you could see the bottom and the fish. Then we concreted the rocks in place because they kept falling and my water started getting green. I thought it was my pump at first so I bought a new one and same thing happened. I have spent tons of money on chemicals (algae fix and accu clear) and they start to work then 2 days later go right back to turning green. We just recently took out all concreted rocks thinking the concrete was causing the problem and again same thing. How can I get rid of this annoying green water?? I like my pond but I'm getting ready to fill it in! Any help appreciated!!

 

[addy1]

I use plants only to filter my ponds, no green water ever. Those that fight green water use uv lights to help with the green water syndrome.

Have you tested your water to see what the levels, show, nitrites, nitrates, ph etc?

The concreted rocks may have changed the ph.

 

[Sim19]

No I haven't had it tested and our 1 and only pond store does not test anymore so I will have to get a test kit. I have a kt for a aquarium but not sure if it's the same test for a pond. I am going out today, I will get some more plants and a test kit.

 

[Sim19]

This is my pond before removing the concreted rocks, it is really green and we were in process of draining it and 2nd pic is with rocks replaced and refilled, 3 weeks later.

 

[sissy]

All you need is a liquid test kit and they are around 25 dollars at the highest price .I buy API test kit .UV light you can get on ebay for around 30+ dollars .I bought mine from topdog seller and also ccl pets .It is an 18 watt and came with an extra bulb and I bought a couple of extra .When you empty and refill you are just starting over and muck on the rocks is good .

 

[MitchM]

This is my pond before removing the concreted rocks, it is really green and we were in process of draining it and 2nd pic is with rocks replaced and refilled, 3 weeks later.

Those rocks are going to accumulate detritus and be a constant source of food for the algae.
Lava rocks can become plugged and become a source of nitrates.
If you're feeding your fish, you're adding phosphate, You need to be the one to take the phosphate out as well, or at least bind it using a phosphate binder product.
Plants and increased/more efficient circulation will hep. The increased circulation will get some of the detritus, but not all of it.

 

[Sim19]

I tried increasing the circulation with a fountain I had laying around and the next day I could see my pond clearing up. I thought waterfall was enough circulation, guess not. I wish I would've tried this "before" taking all the concreted rocks out and putting new back in! Oh well, I'm just happy it's clearing up.

 

[sissy]

air seems be always be a plus .I love my lava rock filters and found even pro pond builders are going back to it .I use a ball valve hooked up with a splitter from my pump and have it tied under the bridge so it sprays water over the top of the pond water

 

[sissy]

The ball valve and then I changed to this to get more water movement

 

[MitchM]

Adding air and water circulation helps the nitrifying bacteria do it's job more efficiently so the algae doesn't have a chance to benefit from excess nutrients.
Glad your pond is clearing up.

 

[Sim19]

Me too!! Thanks for all the advise!

 

[Oliver Stone]

Try Envii Pond Klear - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bio8-Envi...t=LH_DefaultDomain_3&var=&hash=item3cfa2b0d30