Top 10 Algae Control Methods

1. Aqua Clearer Bacteria Enzymes:

Bacteria and enzymes play an enormous role in balancing the pond and providing a low maintenance water garden. They should be added to the pond throughout the season. Bacteria will compete with the algae in the pond for excess nutrients, essentially starving off the algae.

2. Clean the BIOFALLS no more than once a year:

The BIOFALLS is designed to be cleaned once a year, typically in the spring. The debris and sediment that builds up in the BIOFALLS is natural and should be left as is. Routinely cleaning the BIOFALLS may actually cause more algae by greatly reducing the beneficial bacteria growing on the filter mats and lava rocks.

S.A.B:

This is formulated to help reduce pond maintenance and promote the growth of beneficial bacteria and enzymes. S.A.B. will assist in the breakdown and reduction of string algae in the stream, waterfalls, and pond. S.A.B. works by adjusting the micro-nutrients in the water of the pond resulting in conditions that are unfavorable for string algae.

Plants:

Since plants directly compete with algae for nutrients and sunlight they are probably the most important addition to your pond. Add a wide variety of plants to your pond. This will not only create a natural look, but will also help reduce the algae throughout your pond.

3. Physical Removal:

Physically remove clumps of string algae if it begins to over take the pond. Pull or cut away the algae where it is attached. Think of it as "weeding the pond."

4. Koi:

Adding Koi over 10" in length will greatly reduce string algae. The Koi, if not overfed on commercial food, will graze on the string algae attached to the rocks in the pond.

5. Don't Overfeed Fish:

Only feed the fish an amount they can consume within a few minutes. Fish food that is not eaten by fish will decompose in the pond and increase nutrient levels. Reduce or eliminate feeding fish if excessive algae conditions exist. You can then begin feeding fish once the algae is under control.

6. Fix Leaks:

Tap water can have an abundant amount of nutrients in it. Continually adding large quantities of tap water to compensate for a leak can actually promote algae growth. Fix water leaks when they are discovered.

7. Control Run-Off:

Never use lawn fertilizer or insecticides on trees around your pond, or on areas of your property that will drain towards your pond. Lawn fertilizer and insecticides will cause large blooms, as well as severely threaten the aquatic life style in your pond.

8. Remove Debris:

Keep your pond free of debris. Don’t let the skimmer net overfill with leaves. Decaying leaves and seeds in the skimmer turn into unwanted nutrients.

9. New Ponds Need To Mature:

Patience, patience, patience. It takes time for a pond to evolve into a living balanced ecosystem. Like a fine wine, ponds get better with age. Don’t be surprised if your new pond begins to grow algae.

It is important once the pond is installed, to start establishing the ecosystem by seeding the bacteria, planting aquatic plants, and gradually introducing fish. You should notice less and less algae, and a decreased amount of routine maintenance as the pond matures from year to year.

10. Give The Bacteria Some Time:

It takes time for bacteria to establish in numbers where it will actually start helping the water quality and reducing maintenance. In general a new pond can take 2-6 weeks for bacteria populations to reach effective proportions. Also, bacteria populations will be greatly reduced when water temperature increasing the water temperature starts to dip below 45 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

We recommend increasing the bacteria dosage during colder temperature to keep the number of bacteria as high as possible. The bacteria will be completely ineffective when the water temperature is consistently below +45 degrees Fahrenheit, such as in the winter. Follow the winter guidelines for information of taking care of your pond in the winter.