Pond algae can be much like that distant Uncle that never seems to go away, no matter how many times you take his beer away. In the Battle of The Pond – as with any battle – a good defence may be the best offence.
Our garden pond can be a wonderful source of relaxation and calm, watching the Koi glide around and the plants sway gently under the water. However, as we know, nature is all about balance, and if we aren’t keeping a close eye, pond algae can sneak up on us and turn our pond into a dark and rather smelly hole in the ground.
Defending Against Pond Algae
Let’s just be clear, a certain level of algae isn’t always a bad thing. Being at the bottom of the food chain, algae provides food for microscopic animals which, in turn, provide nutrients for the fish.
Algae is a plant and given the right environment it will thrive.
The best environment for pond algae is:
- A consistent light source
- Sufficient nutrients
- The right temperature
- A water pH of between 8.2 and 8.7
Logically, removing or restricting any one of these elements will curb the growth of algae – as well as eliminate the need for chemical warfare which may be harmful to our fish.
If your pond is outdoors, then there’s very little you can do about the amount of light it receives. In the home we can move a fish tank away from a window, for example, but not so much an outside pond. Similarly, if we have fish in our pond, the pH levels are going to be tricky to change without impacting the wildlife.
We can, however, keep track of the nutrients available to the algae. Fish waste will provide some algae food, as will rotting debris in the water, but we can play our part by not overfeeding the fish. Not only is this wasteful, but it leaves a residue of uneaten food in the water which the algae will happily make use of.
The correct filter and a regular cleaning schedule will also assist in keeping your pond algae in check.
Do you need help with your pond or pool? If so, please pick up the phone and call Pool Spa who will be happy to assist you.