Organic Way to Remove Algae From a Goldfish Pond

Goldfish ponds are not the easiest to keep clean. The health of the goldfish depends on a clean environment and they fish rely on the caretaker to do this for them. One common problem of these aquatic environments is the algae that can grow within then. Not only is the growth unappealing to look at, but the algae can be harmful to anything living in the pond. There are chemical cleaners but these too have their dangers. Instead, there are some organic ways to deal with algae.

Plankton Algae

Plankton algae is the most common type that grows in goldfish ponds and takes on the sludgy 'pea soup' appearance. There are two main reasons why this forms. The first is the amount of sunlight. When there is no shade for these ponds, an excess amount of sunlight can create a large amount of algae growth. Placing plants such as water lilies or others into the pond can be a source of shade and also add an element of beauty.

The other main cause of plankton algae is the amount of nutrients in the water. Nitrogen and phosphorous caused by goldfish food and waste are left in the water and feed the growth of algae. This can be removed by using natural bacteria that eat the algae and clean the water. There are a few brands to choose from that are totally organic and they will create a new look for the pond.

String Algae

String algae grows along the edge or bottom of the pond where the water does not move so much. It looks green and stringy and makes an eyesore out of a normally stunning pond. There is the option of using natural bacteria to kill the algae or a homemade remedy. The homemade version of the process is more difficult.

Start by removing all of the water from the pond, and of course safely remove the fish if there are any. Spread Kosher salt or non-iodized salt all over it in larger quantities. Let this salt sit in the pond for three days before sweeping it away and rinsing it thoroughly. Ensure that there is no salt left before replacing the water and fish.

General Algae Removal

The reason why any type of algae may form in the goldfish pond is because of lack of oxygen. This happens because it takes a lot of oxygen to break down waste and if there is no oxygen being replaced, then the levels can be depleted.

Once a source of aeration is added to the pond, the algae can break down without depleting the oxygen levels even more. Oxygen promotes the growth of good bacteria that will kill the algae and dispose of it.

References

• Algae Control Information for Backyard Ponds and Water Gardens
• Koi and Goldfish Health, Disease, and Treatment. Dosing a Pond

Resources

• Pond Algae: Causes and Control