Adding a garden pond to your property allows you to grow aquatic plants and raise fish or other aquatic life. Unfortunately, microscopic algae in the water can begin growing out of control and overtake your pond completely if given an opportunity. Algae treatments are available to take care of the problem, but some are toxic to the plants in your pond.
Chemical Algaecide
Chemical algaecides destroy algae in much the same manner that weed killers destroy undesired plants in your yard. Unfortunately, many the chemicals in algaecides don’t target the algae specifically and can harm or destroy any aquatic plants in your pond. Though some algaecide treatments won’t destroy your plants, they might stunt plant growth or have other negative effects. The chemicals can also be poisonous to animals too and should not be used when you have fish or other aquatic life in your pond. Dead algae should be removed as soon as possible after using chemical algaecides as it will begin decomposing in the water.
Natural Algaecide
Alternatives to chemical algaecides include bacteria and enzyme-based solutions. These treatments slow or stop algae growth, and might kill present algae without harming your aquatic plants or fish. These goods don’t impact the algae straight, but instead accelerate the pace at which nutrients and waste in the water break, eliminating the food supply that the algae thrives on. Because of this, these organic alternatives are better suited to preventing algae growth or even eliminating small quantities of algae rather than killing fully developed algae blooms.
Filtration and Sterilization
Preparing a filtration system in your pond keeps the water circulating and eliminates algae before it has a chance to get out of control. A pump may be required to circulate water so that it continues going through the filter. Ultraviolet sterilization units may also be set up along with your filter, using intense ultraviolet light to kill microscopic algae in the water before it has a opportunity to begin growing out of control.
Salting the Pond
It is possible to kill algae with salt, adding it to the water until the algae may no longer tolerate the increased salinization of the water. This should just be done as a last resort, however, as it will probably destroy everything at the pond. Remove any plants or other aquatic life at the pond that you want to keep prior to applying salt, then drain and thoroughly wash out the pond afterward so that you can refill it with fresh, clean water.
Natural Treatment
A few methods of controlling pond algae don’t rely on treatments that could potentially harm your aquatic plants. The plants themselves may prevent algae growth; utilize fully submerged oxygenators to maintain oxygen levels high and supply 50 to 75 percent coverage with floating plants to decrease the light available for algae in the water. Snails and other algae-eating organisms help prevent algae blooms by eating algae growth before it gets out of control. The accession of barley straw to your pond water may also reduce algae growth. If blooms start to appear, removing the algae manually with a rake lessens the amount of algae in the water so that other treatment options become more effective.