String Algae

[Priscilla]

I found some string algae on my falls and coming out of some plants pots in the pond (I have the pots filled with rocks and the plants bare root in them).

I spent some time pulling a good bit of it out, but I didn't get it all. Its not in floating in the water (yet), just attached to the pots.

Should I leave it? Should I pull as much out as I can? Should I be in a panic because its going to take over my pond???? Should I drink some wine and calm down?

 

[AnthonyRibis]

Mine is covered in it, my Koi love hiding in it. I am not a fan of it as it makes it difficult to see all my hard work (Rocked bottom). I guess its more of a personal preference

 

[RobAmy]

Give it time, my stream is loaded right now, the pond is pretty good. It will go away once everything is working as it should, filters, plants etc. Make sure your ammonia is okay, algae is mother natures way of balancing out ammonia. Wine is never a bad idea I would take out what you can so it does not get to bad, that helped me last year and then it went away. I have not removed any yet, I really do not mind the look of it, once it gets a bit more I will start taking some out.

Opps, I forgot where you live, mostly everything is up and running for you, I am coming out of winter and the bio filters and plants are not at there best yet. I still think it will go away if everything else is good, give it a little time.

If you test your water do not be nervous if your PH is high during the day, you will go up and down during the day due to the algae growth.

 

[Tula]

I don't mind some in my pond....the koi like to much on it I have pulled a good bit out, but I don't worry about some.

 

[Priscilla]

So far all my PH tests have been a steady 7.5 (more or less its difficult when matching colors, if you know what I mean).

My ammonia has been undetectable so far. But I will check again tomorrow.

Its really not too bad, just a bits coming out of the pots. Maybe the fish will eat it if I stop giving them so much food!

Headed outside now for a fire and some vino (the fire is for ambience not warmth). Lol!

 

[morewater]

You want gross. Here's gross. This was from a couple of years ago.

 

[JBtheExplorer]

Should I be in a panic because its going to take over my pond????

Last year I had some growing off the pots, but no where else. You can pull it out if you'd like or leave it. Just monitor the situation and make sure it doesn't start growing in other spots.

 

[Priscilla]

You want gross. Here's gross. This was from a couple of years ago.

How did you take care of that?

 

[morewater]

Amarone.

Seriously, I pressure washed it off the falls. Once the pond balanced out, it was under control.

 

[Koilady]

We've been in the pond hobby for 32 years and I can remember when we had hair/string algae in some of our ponds and in others the water would be so green that we only saw our fish when we brought them inside for the winter. We don't do that any more but we have solved the algae problems.
We make our own biological filters which got rid of hair and suspended algae. We do like a nice layer of algae along the sides of the pond for the Koi to graze on and to help filter the pond. We have a great diagram of this bio-filter that a friend found for us years ago.
With this bio-filter, we never have to clean our bio-media but we do use a wet vac to suck out the debris that is trapped at the top of the filter with three layers of window screening. We remove the bio-media once every four to six weeks to clean out the sludge at the bottom of the filter. In 28 years, we have never cleaned out our bio-media. If you have to use barley straw, u.v. lights or chemicals to remove the algae in your pond, it means that you are just masking the problem, not dealing with it.
Your's Koily, Lorraine

 

[Priscilla]

I think the problem is the stinking platys are breeding out of control. Pretty sure there are 200 to 300 in there now and more are pregnant! I tried to give some away, no takers, I posted some on like a Craigs list (2 for $1.00) no takers. FYI - they sell for 3.99 per fish here.

I need a new bio filter. I'm looking at a trickle tower type filter. Hope I can get this up and running soon.

 

[callingcolleen1]

Pricalla the hot tropical weaher you have only makes problem worse too. Have you got lots of big sedge clumps as they will help starve out algae too. Can you twist the string algae around a long stick like candy floss and then pull out?
Extra filtration and fast moving water helps too. As the koi get bgger they wll eat lots too.

 

[Priscilla]

I have a few plants. Papyrus (sp?), yellow and purple iris (haven't taken off yet), two water lilies (and one more started) and some water hyacinth.

Yeah, I think the heat and sun is a major factor, but I was fine till these platys took off - I'm thinking another bio filter can't hurt, plus it will get more water moving. I'm also looking at a solar air stone for the pond.

 

[morewater]

Stay away from solar powered stuff. No beef and no brawn.

My offer stands, but I'll lower my bar bill to 50%, 60% if you drink with me.

 

[callingcolleen1]

ha ha ha, looking for a nice tropical vacation getaway morewater! ha ha ha! seems to be a lot of drinking these days around here, is there a full moon coming what!