Algae Facts

Although naturally occurring in most bodies of water on our planet, we don’t seem too comfortable with it in our back yard pools. So begins the saga of how to keep it out of your pool, pond, water garden, or fountain, or… That’s right, there are as many “offers” of solutions as there are ponds!

We can only begin to describe the basics to you and then suggest a remedy. So, here goes.

Water Treatments

Algae Off: This product is sprinkled directly onto the algae to kill it causing it to release itself and float to the water surface where it is accessible to be removed to avoid adding an overload of organic matter to the bottom of your pond. Just like weeds are in our vegetable garden one weeding does not usually remedy the situation. it requires some diligence on the pond owners part. Once you get ahead of the algae, which in many cases can take several cycles of removal due to heavy nutrient and organic load, a minimal maintenance dose and attention will be required. Fortunately, the time that this requires is greatly reduced due to the installation of the bio filter system.

Beneficial Bacteria: This is a combination of many types of bacteria that together aggressively digest sludge, decayed organic matter and nutrients that are the life supply of algae. While some of these bacteria naturally occur in your pond, they are very slow to act. By adding regular doses of bacteria decomposition is accelerated, eventually leaving very little for algae to feed on.

Your bacteria comes in a pre-measured biodegradable bag ready to distribute into your pond following simple treatment guidelines designed for your waters coverage area. Once treated bacterial colonies quickly multiply and get to work digesting the nutrients and build up of sludge settled on the bottom of your pond. Any solids within your pond are broken down and digested into harmless water and CO2 while nutrients that feed the algae are eliminated and water quality is restored to pristine condition creating a balanced eco system.

Testing your pond:

In order to try to keep your pond healthy, it is important that the PH, Alkalinity and hardness are at optimal levels:

pH: 6.5 – 8

Alkalinity: 120 – 180

Hardness: 120 – 180

There are 3 basic products that we use to correct any readings that do not fall in the parameters of optimal.

Salt: Helps to increase Hardness

Sodium Bicarbonate: Used to raise PH and Alkalinity

Calcium Chloride: Lowers the PH

Using these products should be infrequent: three times a year would be reasonable. Heavy rains inflict the most change to the balance of a pond, usually driving the PH out of its optimal parameter with a tendency to the low side of the scale. Paying attention to these qualities of your water is very helpful in reducing potential algae blooms by keeping the water in balance making it difficult for the algae to thrive.

Knowing your water volume is very important in determining remedies and application rates of a remedy

A few final thoughts for your pond

Consider planting the edge of your pond with plants that you find appealing to the eye or adding lilies further out to add some much-needed shade for your water.

Lawn fertilizers should never be used around ponds as it runs down into the pond during the rains and treats the ever-growing algae to what it considers a delicacy. Building a new pond should always include shaping the grade such that no surface water can go into it.

Your pond is not static, it is dynamic. It is a living system that can take care of itself as long as you are willing to accept how it presents itself. Otherwise, you must instill your time, patience and input through a relationship with your pond to achieve your desired result.