How to Cure Algae in a Fish Pond
Algae in a fish pond can ultimately kill the plants in the pond as well as the fish. To cure algae problems, you need to limit the light and nutrients that algae must have to grow. Chemicals may also be necessary. Whether you have string or plankton algae, you may need to physically remove the algae before you begin the process of keeping algae from reappearing in the pond. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Plant floating and surface-dwelling plants such as water hyacinths and water lettuce in the fish pond to limit the amount of light the pond receives. Submerged plants such as water lilies and lotus also limit light. All of these plants also consume nutrients algae need to survive.
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Use plants like elodea to consume extra carbon dioxide. With less carbon dioxide, the algae starve for nutrients. The oxygen produced by the elodea is good for the rest of the pond's ecosystem.
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Divert rainwater away from the pond, as it carries nutrients that algae consume. Water from downspouts and lawn runoff can carry lawn fertilizers, which are also a food source for algae. Build a lip around the pond to deflect the amount of water that flows into it.
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Limit the amount of food you give the fish. Only give them what they can eat in five minutes. Food left by the fish becomes food for algae.
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Keep pond filters clean. Dirty filters eventually release particles of nutrients back into the water, providing additional food for the algae.
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Add a liquid algaecide. Follow the directions carefully or you might kill all your plants in the fish pond.
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Introduce beneficial bacteria to your pond. These bacteria keep the sludge on the bottom of the pond from building up, which in turn removes a source of food for the algae. Use a biological filter to help establish a colony of beneficial bacteria into the pond, recommends the website Green Mamas.
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Tips & Warnings
If you are building a new fish pond, situate it so the pond has limited exposure to the sun.
Remove dead leaves from the fish pond as soon as they land in the water. Once they settle to the bottom of the pond, the organic matter becomes food for algae. If you are building a new pond, avoid locating it under a tree.
References
- Photo Credit Pinnacle Pictures/Stockbyte/Getty Images
