Pond Identity Crisis Please Help (pics)

[yzbdsbp]

I have recently constructed a new pond (Last Year) on my land, It is roughly a 1ac pond. I have noticed some green floating algae in the pond (see pics). Was wondering if someone can give me some advice on what it is and how can i get rid of it! As I don't want this to over take the pond. Please help with solutions because Im new to the pond world and I dont want a scumed over pond in the first year. Its starting to warm up here in South MS and the problem seems to be growing! Thank you!

 

[Abe460]

I have heard that keeping the water moving by using an aerator/fountain of some sort will have a positive effect. I was not the person this was told to, but sounded like a good principle behind it when it was explained.

 

[johng52]

Sink 3 or4 barley-straw bales in the pond before the algae starts growing in the spring. As the straw decomposes, it releases gases and helps maintain beneficial bacteria that kill off the algae.

 

[brin]

I had algae in my pond once...go to your local farm store and buy ...Copper Sulfate...and believe it or not you will need a pair of panty hose...fill the legs of the panty hose with the copper sulfate and drag it behind a row boat in your pond moving briskly until all the copper sulfate has disolved in the water and you want to try and disperse it evenly over the water so you try to move the boat as fast as neccessary so you do not sit in one spot and have it all disolve. It worked for me.

 

[ETD66SS]

Head over to Pond Boss Forum - Powered by UBB.threads™

There are a ton of guys there that can help you with your pond questions.

 

[20 20]

I'd go with aeration the movement will stop it. The barley straw may also work never tried that.

 

[20 20]

WOW I was just checking the prices on that barley straw it'd be way cheaper to go with an aerator.

 

[RickB]

WOW I was just checking the prices on that barley straw it'd be way cheaper to go with an aerator.

You can't be serious.

 

[bhostasa]

I've used copper sulfate in my pond in the past. It does take care of the algae but you really need to follow the directions.

Too much of that stuff can kill your fish.

I'd be interested in any research you do on a fountain/aerator. I've kicked that idea area too but never done anything.

 

[HeyNow]

I have a 3 acre pond in my front yard. I recommend the Pond Boss site as well. From what I have read, Copper Sulfate will build up in your pond over time. Go look at the Pond Boss forum and you will be educated by a great group of folks. Some of them have Ph.D.s in aquaculture. A pond can be a second or third hobby. I just installed an aeration system in my pond last year. The effects have been dramatic in just a short period of time.

Good luck.

 

[HeyNow]

I've used copper sulfate in my pond in the past. It does take care of the algae but you really need to follow the directions.

Too much of that stuff can kill your fish.

I'd be interested in any research you do on a fountain/aerator. I've kicked that idea area too but never done anything.

Ted Lea at ForeverGreen is in your neck of the woods. He can share his expertise in aeration. I have no commercial interest, but have had him give me advise prior to purchasing my system. You could probably drive over to his place and see first hand how the systems work.

Good luck.

 

[Bud Soda]

Give these people a call. They will sell you what you need.

Got Algae?


http://www.dunnsfishfarm.com/algae_83_ctg.htm

 

[Gary Fowler]

A few breeding pairs of Tilapia will take care of your filamentatious algae and they make good eating also. Note that they will die off each year if water temps get below about 65 F. They breed faster than rats and eat only algae. They babies would also make good food for a bass population. Your breeding pair must be large enough so that any predator fish cant eat them. We used them in our pond last year and it dramatically reduced the moss problem much more so than the carp.

 

[20 20]

You can't be serious.

Why not, did you check out the price? A jumbo bale will treat no more then 20,000gal of water @ $104.00 per bale. My smaller pond hold close to a million gal. I'd need atleast 50 bales that comes to $5,200.00. Now take into account I would have to buy 50 bales every year. Lets say an aerator will last for 10 years at around $2,000.00 one time cost. 10yrs on the jumbo bales would come to $52,000.00. The difference for a 10yr period would be $50,000.00, so yes I would say WOW those are expensive. Cut the bales in half{$26,000.00} or even quarter{$13,000.00} still expensive. Maybe I'm figure something wrong :drool: would not be the 1st time. I did take the info from the site and used their prices and suggested usage.

 

[yzbdsbp]

Head over to Pond Boss Forum - Powered by UBB.threads兌/url]

There are a ton of guys there that can help you with your pond questions.

There Sure is... I also posted this over there. Both of these boards offer so much knowledge, I have learned so much from both of these boards. It really makes trying something new around the house so much more inviting when there is so much support out there to answer questions like these when things dont go exactly as expected. :thumbsup:

 

[Ken45101]

How deep is the pond? Shallow ponds warm up and encourage algae growth more than deep ponds. Here locally, the soil and water people recommend that the half the pond be at least 8' deep.

What surrounds the pond? If it is grass, DO NOT fertilize the grass! Those nutrients that make the grass green wash into the water and make it grow green too!

Aeration and chemicals will help as will some algae eating fish.

Ken

 

[yzbdsbp]

How deep is the pond?

Ken

1/2 of it is up to 12' deep, but 2'-6' in about 1/2 the pond.

What surrounds the pond? If it is grass, DO NOT fertilize the grass! Those nutrients that make the grass green wash into the water and make it grow green too!
Ken

I planted grass and used fertilizer on 3 sides of the pond last year because it was a new pond and I needed to get grass to prevent washing, I wont be using and this year for sure.

Aeration and chemicals will help as will some algae eating fish.

Ken

I will aerate if I have to! What chemicals do you recommend Ken? Just want to explore all my options? :thumbsup:

 

[Ken45101]

I've never used chemicals, so I can't answer that very well. I believe there are two classes: one which is non toxic, just blocks the sunlight from reaching the bottom and encouraging plant growth. That won't help with floating problems like algae and duckweed. Others are actually herbicides that will kill plant growth.

You might contact your local soil and water conservation people, they might come out and give you some specific recommendations.

Ken

 

[GRNTexan]

Having worked as a sales rep for a Herbicide/Pesticide manufacturer in Houston for a number of years....I would second the mention of Copper Sulfate. You can purchase the blue crystaline form in various packaged quantities from most farm supplies. If you are stocking fish in your pond the CS itself doesn't pose a risk. However, whatever route you take, you will want to be concerned about the large scale decomposition of the vegetation (algae) as the breakdown process of the organic matter will release gases and consume the oxygen in your water. This can ultimately lead to a dead pond.....Hope this little bit helps. I'm sure you could Google copper sulfate and key words such as "pond" or "aquatic herbicide/algaecide" and find plenty of info to help you out! Best of luck! :thumbsup:

 

[GRNTexan]

Just to be clear....The CS itself *WHEN USED PROPERLY AS LABELLED* doesn't pose a risk....I think that if you explore the chemical route you will find that most all of the aquatic algaecides commonly used in your situation are going to be copper based....either Copper Sulfate or Copper Carbonate such as Cutrine...Cutrine plus. these products will all explain the hazards posed to aquatic fish and invertebrates on the labels. This is definitely a case where more is not necessarily better.....again...good luck!