Removing algae
Nothing is more bothersome than an excess of algae in a pond. You want to remove them. A pond is an unbroken ecosystem. Biological wastes are converted by bacteria into nutrients for water plants, which in turn give off oxygen to water, thus providing a healthy pond environment. Even if a pond has been fit up properly, problems may arise, which can upset the biological equilibrium, resulting in objectionable algal growth.
There are different kinds of algae which occur in ponds:
How the algae problem is caused?
Algal growth always forms owing to the fact that the water plants present are not able to completely remove nutrients from a pond. A surplus of nutrients is arising of which algae are taking advantage.
Little algal particles are always latently present and will develop as lightning. As opposed to plants algae make only low demands on the quality of water. Consequently algae are growing more quickly under circumstances where water plants can not yet develop well. Especially in newly built ponds the growth of important oxygen producing plants will stagnate owing to floating algae.
Algae will make a green mass of the pond water and spoil pond fun and restrict plant growth.
Prevent algae
We have some tips for you to fight the formation of algae:
- Set more pond plants.
- Remove dirt from the bottom and clean the filter.
- Do not feed the fish too much. Take care that the fish will eat the feed distributed within a few minutes.
- Regularly remove fibrous algae as much as possible from the pond.
- Inspect the quality of the pond water and adjust water values if necessary.
- Apply substrate on the bottom of the pond. This is important for the development of micro-organisms.
Fighting algae
The first step to an algae-free pond is to test the water. On basis of the result a diagnosis can be made and a plan to remove algae. The most important values can be determined using a pond test set: pH , GH and CH value.
For the pond environment in particular the pH value is important, because it gives us information about the CO2 content of the water. If in the morning the pH value is relatively low (pH 7-8) and measured in the evening relatively high (pH 8-9) pond environment is functioning, plants will be growing well. Whereas the water will be clear. Measures taken to raise the pH value to a more favourable level in the long term should be based on activating the micro-organisms by applying bottom substrate and bacteria and on setting pond plants, which for their supplying of CO2 will not have to rely on water (floating) plants, water lilies and marsh plant). The use of peat granulate can expedite the decrease in the pH value. A too low pH value (pH 6 and lower) indicates that the environment is acidifying and it is a threat to all pond inhabitants. Especially in winter too low pH values may occur under certain circumstances.
The joint hardness of the water is determined by calcium and magnesium. This is called the GH value of the water. A proper GH value for pond water ranges between 8° and 12° GH.
Most kinds of pond plants will optimally grow within these values, whereas in this medium hard water the development and the activity of the micro-organisms are optimum.
The carbonate hardness (CH value) is an important pillar in pond environment. The CH value is also referred to as temporarily hardness, whereas it is also referred to as the acid binding capacity.
Carbonate is formed by binding free carbon dioxide (CO2) to calcium and or magnesium. Thus it forms a carbon dioxide (CO2) source for water plants and algae. A proper CH value ranges between 6° and 10° GH.
If the pH, GH and CH values should deviate, they will have to be adjusted. Special means are available to realize this.
Remove algae quickly
The measures referred to here aim at reducing the growth of fibrous algae by biological means and finally to stop it. The whole process will take a number of months. This period can be reduced by applying a course of treatment with an algae fighting product. Please bear in mind, however, that this kind of product fights the symptom algae but that it does not remove the cause.
Equipment has been developed to solve the algae problem in garden ponds definitively. They function according to the mineralization principle. By mineralization the growth of fibrous and slimy algae is rendered impossible, whereas water plant growth is stimulated.
A lasting solution for the floating algae problem (green water) is a UV-C Filter. The ultraviolet radiation will kill floating algae, germs and moulds.
A filter equipment is also a relief for the algae problem. One the one side the water is kept
clear by filtrating the water, On the other water circulation will provide sufficient oxygen. A filter equipment will filter the pond water both mechanically and biologically. Mechanical filtration is based on the principle of removing organic and inorganic dirt particles as well as colourings. The principle of biological filtration is to obtain a better and quicker conversion of organic particles by means of micro-organisms. An integrated biological filter will enhance the activity micro life and thus it stimulates plant growth.
There are many kinds of filters; floating filters, pressure filters, multi chamber filters and flow filters.