Algae grow naturally in both fresh and salt water. Though many sources claim that rainforests produce the most oxygen, this isn’t true. Over half of it comes from algae.
x is the content of nitrogen and phosphorus. These two nutrients help these aquatic organisms grow, often to a great extent. But where do these nutrients come from?
Both nitrogen and phosphorus are essential for plant growth. They are, thus, the key nutrients that make up commercial fertilizers. You can find fertilized soil everywhere, from lawns to pastures.
When you choose to build a pond, the odds are the soil already contains high amounts of these nutrients. It is one of the main reasons why many people struggle with algae control. Sunlight is also essential for photosynthesis. Sunny areas are therefore more susceptible to this problem.
Fortunately, you can take preventative measures to keep this issue in check. We’ll discuss this in the later sections of this article.
Make sure to look out for the 4 signs:
- water discoloration
- Surface foam
- Hair-like blankets
- Dead fish
4 signs of Problems
These organisms in your farm pond are hard to miss. Many will change the way your pond looks. If they grow out of control, they might also endanger the fish and plants in the ecosystem.
Here are the 4 signs you might need to act against this aquatic menace:
Water discoloration
They can change the color of your pond water. The most common color is green, which makes it resemble pea soup. Sickly, blueish color is also common.
Foam or other shapes on the surface
They often form shapes on the surface. If you notice foam, scum, or mats, you should look for water algae treatment options. Some may form shapes resembling spilled paint. It is a clear sign of overgrowth.
Hair-like blankets
Some types resemble tiny strands. These can accumulate on nearby rocks and plants.
Dead fish
In the worst-case scenario, the toxins they release will harm the whole ecosystem. At this point, your fish might start dying.
| Signs to look out for | What’s going on? |
| Water discoloration | It can look like pea soup. |
| Surface foam | It can look like spilled paint. |
| Hair-like blankets | Make sure pond features aren’t overgrown. |
| Dead fish | Dead fish is never a good sign. |
Maintenance
When you choose to build a farm pond, it’s more work than digging a hole and filling it with water. It is an ecosystem that needs constant attention to survive. Without proper maintenance, it will become inhospitable for both plants and fish.
Here are the 6 key tips for excellent pond maintenance:
Add an aerator
Waterfalls and fountains keep the water moving. As it flows, it soaks up more oxygen. Apart from benefitting your fish, it also reduces the amount of nitrogen and phosphorus in the water. A good aerator can greatly reduce the need for manual maintenance.
- Getting an aerator
- Remove algae blooms
- Bacterial treatment
- Phytofiltration
- Pond dye
- Keeping animals away
Remove algae blooms manually.
These blooms usually pop up every spring. Luckily, you can remove most of them manually. You can use either rakes or skimmers for this task.
Keep farm animals away
We all know where fertilizer comes from. And since it contributes to unbridled growth, you shouldn’t let your farm animals come near it. Large domestic animals can also deform the banks.
Use bacterial treatments
Some bacteria can reduce both undesired growth and the odor it produces. We recommend products such as GreenEX or Microbe-Lift PBL for this kind of water algae treatment.
Use dye
Black and blue pond dyes absorb some sunlight, reducing the rate of photosynthesis. It can make your annual spring maintenance much easier to carry out.
Use phytofiltration
Phytofiltration involves using plants that absorb nutrients from the water. It leaves fewer of them for algae, effectively reducing their growth. Our recommendations are water willow, water snowball, and hibiscus.
Barley straw
Barley straw is an excellent form of water algae treatment. Though not an algaecide, it does prevent new algae from growing. It’s thus considered an algaestat.
While scientists don’t yet understand all the details, they theorize that barley straw releases chemicals into the water as it decays. These chemicals inhibit the growth of algae. The main appeal of barley straw is that it’s selective. It’s completely harmless to plants and animals.
You can purchase barley straw at any farm supply or feed store. Keep in mind that its availability depends on the season. You can also get your hands on it online, though at a higher price.
To reach maximum efficiency, you should use barley straw in spring. The water should be warm to initiate its decay. We recommend using 4 to 5 bales per surface acre of water. Cut them up into small pieces to speed up the decay. Then, place them in tiny sacks. Ideally, they should float a few feet beneath the surface.
Barley straw is particularly effective against planktonic algae.
Copper sulfate
Copper sulfate is an excellent algaecide for ponds. Unlike barley straw, copper sulfate works wonders against both filamentous and planktonic algae. It both kills them and prevents their regrowth. Its only drawback is that it’s much less selective. Improper doses can wreak havoc on the whole ecosystem and kill fish and plants alike.
You can find copper sulfate at any agriculture retail store. Alternatively, you can buy it from online vendors.
You should apply copper sulfate twice, with at least 5 days between each application.
Copper sulfate comes in the following 3 forms:
Granular/Crystal Form
Granular copper sulfate is very easy to use. You generally need 5 pounds of this substance per acre. Before you apply it, make sure you dissolve the granules in hot water. Otherwise, the granular will sink to the bottom. It leaves the surface algae unharmed.
Liquid Form
It is the strongest form of copper sulfate. We recommend using it if the growth is completely out of control. You should dilute 1 gallon of this algaecide with 10 gallons of water for the best results. Then, you just apply it by using a broadcast sprayer.
Keep in mind that liquid copper sulfate is harmful to some fish, such as koi and goldfish.
Power/Dust Form
It is similar to the granular form. However, you can only use it if your pond’s temperature lies between 60 to 100 F. Otherwise, it won’t work as intended.
One drawback of this dust is that it scatters easily. Wind can easily carry it to nearby land and contaminate it. Copper sulfate is harmful to animals if they breathe or ingest it. It goes for humans as well. To avoid any lung complications, make sure you wear a mask when you use it.
