Home Remedies to Clean Algae From a Pond

Ponds covered in algae do not make the best looking water gardens.

Algae, the common enemy of water gardeners, builds up in ponds and competes with fish and aquatic plants for light and food. Some algae in the pond helps the ecosystem, but too much can kill it.

Home Remedies

Ponds covered in too much algae do not make good homes for plants or fish. Barley straw works well to control algae. Snails and tadpoles will eat the algae away over time, and maintaining balance within the pond's ecosystem will decrease algae reappearing.

Barley Straw

Dried barley straw releases chemicals when decomposing in water that slow the growth of new algae. Placed in mesh bags, the straw will rest on the bottom of the pond and decompose over the warm season. It can be replaced after fully decomposing.

Snails and Tadpoles

Keeping frog tadpoles and snails in the pond will reduce the amount of algae. The tadpoles and snails eat the algae in the water. Snails should be removed if they breed too quickly.

Ecosystem Balance

If fish live in the pond, do not overfeed them. This will feed algae and cause more fish waste. Aquatic plants help reduce the amount of fish waste, and surface plants will reduce the amount of light that can reach the algae that form in the water.

References

• Ohio State University: Extension Fact Sheet: Algae Control With Barley Straw
• Pond Supply: Natural Remedies for Algae
• Smithsonian: Algae Research
• Planet Natural: Controlling Algae in Water Gardens