Hi from Montana!

[addy1]

I just have some in my stream ponds, the water does not get moved around much. The big pond, not a bit of string algae.

 

[CountryEscape]

I had it really bad first part of March, when we got really warm weather. Pulling it daily, as it was growing close to 6" a day on the outer edges where I could reach it. Got mad, poured peroxide on it on the edges. Killed the algae, but I would NOT recommend it to other! I have a strong feeling that is what caused my koi pond to be murky looking until just the last few days. But, if you have it on a rock that would be easily removed, take it out, dunk it in strong peroxide solution (or brush it on straight) and that will kill it. Keep rock out of the water for a while to make sure it does the job. I learned I was supposed to have used a peroxide solution and sprayed it on the rocks in areas above the water (drain water down) AFTER I did my big mess up. Everything has finally cycled and now, almost 3 months later, my pond is clearing up. Whew! Good news is that I have no more string algae ... at least so far. I expect to get it again, and will deal with it differently if I do! I must say this is the cleanest my pond has been since I built it last year! Good luck to everyone else. It will die back, but it sure is frustrating in the meantime, I know!

 

[mtpond]

I"m am getting tired of the string algae too. I'm getting to the point that I'm ready to try the peroxide. I'm getting tired of pulling it everyday and then cleaning out my skimmer filter every couple of days cause it starts to get plugged up. I'm worried cause my pump is in the skimmer and the more it starts to plug up the more the water goes down where the pump is and I'm afraid its going to burn up. issed:

 

[mtpond]

I think I would rather have cloudy water for a couple of weeks then the algae.

 

[CountryEscape]

Well, I had cloudy, murky (brownish) water, could not see past top 6" at ALL for more like 2 months, so keep that in mind. I'm still not positive that the peroxide did that to my pond, but I do know that it finally did cycle and clear up and it's crystal clear. However, I am beginning to get algae in the bogs, where the water is shallow, not sure it's string type, more the spongy type. I pluck it out as I see it. Still not seeing ANY on the edges of the pond, which is where the string algae was 2.5 months ago. If you try the peroxide, instead of pouring it into the pond, like I did (I poured it slowly along the edges of the pond, where the string algae was), try dunking something in it and then dunking it into the pond on the areas where the algae is. I don't think it takes a lot, just contact with the algae.
I know and understand your frustration. String algae grows FAST and can overtake. I hope you get it under control. Also, I wonder if pulling it off daily is more like pruning it, and the more pulled, the more that grows back. Just a thought, don't know if this happens or not! Good luck!!! Keep us posted.

 

[mtpond]

I think its scarey to add anything to a pond but I guess sometimes you have to. I guess I misunderstood, I thought you said your pond was cloudy for 3 weeks. Two months would be a bit much. Thats kinda like when I had green water shortly after I got my pond going. I hated it you couldn't see much of anything.

 

[addy1]

ce I had slimy algae in the bog in the beginning of the growing season, now that the plants have taken off no algae except for a few tiny spots.

 

[CountryEscape]

Addy, I've been watching for any sign of string algae. I have the slimy stuff here and there, but mainly in the goldfish pond bog, the newer one. The koi pond bog, which did just get revamped a couple of weeks ago, has almost no algae of any kind so far, although I suspect I will see some sooner or later, since I have a "stream" of water running down the middle of both of them, Where the rock comes to the surface of the water or higher, no algae of course. Have a little bit in the stream, but when I walk by, I pluck it out.
In my koi pond last weekend getting ready to "go fishing" to move the goldies, I noticed a "tower" of algae that grew from the bottom to the surface. Finally decided it needed to go, but it looked really neat. I have a matt of algae on the bottom of the koi pond which I understand is a good thing, harbors good bacteria, and now that I know that there is no mucky bad stuff down there, I will leave it until fall.
Good luck, MT. I hope your pond cycles and gets rid of it. Do you have many plants in it to help use up the nutrients? I think that is why my pond (and Addy's and others) don't have as much. I had algae bad last summer, beginning with my first pond, but this year I was putting as many plants in the bogs as possible, and getting lilies growing and put hyacinths in so I suspect that has helped both ponds tremendously.

 

[addy1]

I think my plants starve the algae, I do have a ton growing! I don't even see a lot of carpet algae growing, just a slight green tint to the liner, maybe 1/8 inch thick.

 

[mtpond]

Including the water lilies I have about 21 plants in my pond so far. I bought some iries that I'll try to get added to the pond this weekend.

 

[CountryEscape]

Sounds beautiful, MT. I think plants are the key to keeping algae out of a pond. I have to say that I keep waiting for the string algae to appear again on the sides of my koi pond, and so far nothing has come back. I do have a small amount of it in my stream and bogs, but there is standing water in both, although shallow. No string algae in either pond, knock on wood. Once your plants get going really well, and the weather warms up, they will take over the nutrients, then pull the string algae and hopefully they will keep it in check! I know its very frustrating, but patience tends to be the key in ponding.

 

[j.w]

MT that's great............the more plants the better and makes it look so nice,provides shade and hiding places for the fish!
I too have quite a few plants tucked into the rocks on the sides and their roots are sucking up nutrients like crazy and all the floating plants and water lilies seem to be doing their job of keeping the algae at bay also. My water is clear and potted plants are in kitty litter and I have maybe a quart of the barley straw in a small basket so maybe all those things together are helping my pond stay clear. At this time I have no filter just do partial water changes now and then and net the stuff off the bottom.

 

[addy1]

We will call you filterless ponder jw! Glad your pond is doing great

 

[mtpond]

Since the last time I posted I have added 3 iries, a virginia spiderwort, and a blue medusa to my pond. Still being pledged by string algae. Turned on my aerator and its causing a lot of the algae to come loose and go into the filter in my skimmer. I can only run it when I'm home cause the filter gets full and starts plugging up and so the water goes down where the pump is and I don't want to burn it up. I have already cleaned the filter twice today and I will probably have to clean it a couple more times. Instead of putting cat litter in nylon knee highs like I have been, I just threw it around the sides of the pond and in the bottom. Really hoping it works this time.

 

[CountryEscape]

MT, would love to see pics of your new plants! Also, during the afternoon, when it's really hot, the algae from the bottom which is more spongey looking, floats to the top, and gets into the skimmer. I could net it all out, but feel like there is some good bacteria growing in it, and maybe think it's supposed to stay there. By morning the algae has settled to the bottom again, until gets really hot again. My goldfish pond has no algae in the bottom yet, so no worries about that. Skimmer stays clear and clean. Koi pond is different story. Could you try using a net to get rid of the algae that is on the bottom? If it's on the sides, and the aerator is breaking it loose, it's because it's dying, so something you are doing is definitely working. String algae won't come loose just from aeration. Good luck!