Tips to Reduce Pond Algae with Filters

 All ponds look so beautiful when they are first setup.  As time goes on the dreaded algae finds its way into your wonderful pond that you created.  There are many causes for this and also things you can do to reduce this from happening. Plants and a good percentage of shade can help reduce this problem.

The size of your pond

The size of your pond will vary the amount of plants and filters required for the individual ponds.  A larger water area will increase the risk of more sun and more algae.

Controlling the PH in any pond or pool is very important. PH is actually a measurement of the free hydrogen (acidic) against the alkaline. Ph is measured on a scale from 0 to 14, neutral is when showing at a level of 7.

In simple terms if your PH gauge shows a level of 4 then you will need to increase the alkalinity. If it rises to 8 then you need to reduce the alkalinity. Buy a water testing kit and check the levels as a pond can change for a variety of reasons. Too much sun or not enough oxygen or water movement can make a difference.

Blanket weed algae normally grows in higher PH water. If you lower the PH it will slow or reduce this growth.

This may seem like a lot of messing about although if you want to have a clean, clear pond then it is worth that little bit more effort and time spent on setting it up. 

Again depending on the size of your pond, the amount of plants will vary. Plants not only create 0xygen they also create food the fish. In the beginning when you first make your pond you will need to feed them. Once the plants become established and you have the pool working properly you should not need to give any extra food as they will obtain enough from the pond.

Then again that will depend on the amount of fish and plants in your water. There are many great plants that you can use in your pond. Many can be obtained from your own garden. Some of these are:

• A variety of Iris plants
• Canna plant or Canna lily (green or variegated leaf)
• Elephant ears

Using Plants as Filters

We have found from personal experience that a plant filter works wonders in helping to keep a larger pond clear all year round. In saying that, we also have another filter working in the background to clear other impurities from the pond. Plants will often starve the green water algae from the nutrients they need to survive.

To create a plant filter you need to have two separate ponds. The top pond is where you plant a variety of plants; this water is then pumped to the main pond. Even though the water is moving you need to be aware of mosquito larvae. These will still breed; I avoided this by placing a few fish into the top tank. Within minutes the fish were enjoying a good feed. By the next day the larvae were gone and have not returned.

Other types of filters come in a variety of forms you can have them sitting above your pond with the pump pushing the water through layers of foam, which filter the water. Or you may choose to make the sand and gravel one positioned above with the water also being pumped this filtering system.

These lights will also help eliminate algae from your pond. They are used at the same time as a good pond filter to kill any remaining algae in your pond.

Good Bacteria

That is right all Bacteria are not bad. Good or beneficial bacteria are needed to maintain a healthy pond. They will eat the waste created from the fish and other organic products which may convert into nitrates. These will also reduce the nitrogen and phosphorous nutrients in the pond.

Water flow

When buying a water filter you will need to know the rate of water flow in your pond filter. If the water flows too fast the good bacteria is unproductive, or if flowing too slow it may not be circulating enough water to effectively filter the water. Speak to your local pond dealer as to the size of filter required to the amount of water you have in your pond.

Pond Pumps

There are two main types of pump available a submersible and surface one. For the pond with a fountain the submersible is sufficient. This is best placed in the base of the pool on and around rocks or bricks to avoid fish or other debris from being sucked into the pump.

Larger ponds will more than likely require a surface mounted pump which needs to be housed in a separate covered area protected from the weather. Again it is best to seek advice as to the best choice for your particular pond from a dealer.

Always ask for advice from local landscape or pond supply agent to help you with your choice of pond, fish, pumps or filters for your particular pond. They will help to works out what is best in your situation. Rather than spend hundreds of dollars on a pump that will not pump that amount of water or any other problems you may come up against.