How to Eliminate Algae a Pond

Anyone with a pond has had to deal with algae. However, not all algae is bad algae. The soft jelly-like algae that grows on the surface benefits your pond and should not be removed. There are two categories of bad algae: green water (suspended) algae and string (blanketwater) algae. While these do not cause problems for fish, they can ruin the appearance of the pond. This article will help you deal with both types. Section 1 will give you some tips on how to deal with both types of algae. Section 2 deals specifically with string algae. Because there are several types of string algae, you may find that you need to attempt several of the steps listed in section 2 before you find one that works for you.

Things You'll Need

• A pond
• Toilet brush
• Filtration system
• Ultraviolet sterilizer or clarifier
• Barley straw
• Microbes
• Other items optional

Instructions

The Basics of Getting Rid of Algae

1. Clean your pond at least once a year. This step is best done in the spring. Cleaning will remove any decaying organic material from the pond. Decaying organic material feeds algae. A clean toilet brush is a great item to scrub the sides of a pond and remove any string algae in the pond.

2. Upgrade the filtration system. The filtration system will not remove algae from the pond, but it will remove organic items that feed the algae.

3. Add an ultraviolet sterilizer or ultraviolet clarifier to the pond's filtration system. These kill green water (suspended) algae by exposing it to ultraviolet light, but do not work on string algae.

Getting Rid of String Algae

1. 

   Add 1/2 pound to 1 pound of barely straw for every 1000 gallons of water in the pond. Place the barley into a net bag or special barley holder. Suspend the bag in the pond in a location where the water will circulate through it. It can take several weeks before you will see a result. Barley pellets are also available and are known to work quicker.

2. Add microbes that will remove organic waste that algae feed on. Microbes also improve the water quality and can be used with other methods listed here. They are available commercially in products such as Microbe Lift.

3. After removing as much algae as you can, add one pint of 3% hydrogen peroxide for every 1000 gallons of water. This will kill both green water algae and string algae and will not harm plants. However, while the hydrogen peroxide will not harm the fish, the method creates a large oxygen demand in the water. You will need to either move the fish or place an aerator into the pond.

4. 

   Add a few snails or tadpoles to the pond. Snails and tadpoles eat algae. Do not try this if you have larger fish in your pond because they will eat the snails and tadpoles.

5. 

   In warmer climates, or if you bring the fish in during the winter, add some algae-eating fish such as Siamese Algae Eaters.

6. Try an algaecide. This step is listed last because it is usually only a short term fix. Unless you fix the condition that is causing the algae, it will come back.

7. Raise the salt level of your pond. A salt level over 0.3% will help control algae. However, this method is unreliable and can damage fish and plants.

Tips & Warnings

• Discover what is causing the algae and fixing it will help prevent the problem from occurring in the future.