How do you clear up pond-scum/pond algae, from a fresh-water pond?

Question

I am the General Manager of a resort near Bangalore, INDIA. I have a fresh-water pond on my property, and the water is not clear anymore. It has turned green (most probably with pond algae). Is there some eco-friendly, bio-based, fish-friendly product that I can purchase or even put together on property, and put in the pond to clear up the water again. Also what preventive measures can I take from now on to maintain the clarity of the pond?

Answer 1

Here in the UK I use a couple of products to remove Algae, as well as manage my ponds to discourage its growth.  

Nishikoi make a product called 'Goodbye Green Water', which is entirely natural, not chemical based, and is safe for wildlife, rish etc.  This attacks the fine Algae type that colours water green, amongst other colours.   http://www.koibitz.com/Scripts/prodView....

I also use a product called 'Blanket Answer', which kills the Algae commonly known as Blanket Weed.   http://www.blagdonwatergardens.co.uk/clo...  It's a natural mix of enzymes and minerals that kill it.  This Algae type has really fine long threads, that clump together.   This Algea is also well controlled by Barley Straw - this can either be in the form of submerged mini-bales of it, or as a liquid extract.  I prefer the liquid extract, as dosing is easy, and there's nothing to clear up afterwards.

If you can provide any shading to your pond's surface this will help, as Algae needs two things to grow - light and nutrients.  Aim to cover around 70% of the water surface with plants, if you can.  Plants will also consume some of the nutrients that would otherwise be taken by the Algae, and this competition will diminish them.  If you can add any other shading, this will also help - it could be in the form of floating decoration: I  have a floating hippo head on one of my ponds.  Submerged plants will also consume the nutrients, competiting with the Algae.

Other maintenance factors that are important, are removing organic debris and minimising water run-off from land into the pond.  Rotting leaves etc will add nutrients to the pond water, facilitating Algae growth.  Remove decaying matter on an ongoing basis.  

Depending on your pond's siting, anything that you can do tominimise water intake into the pond, where it can bring nutrients with it, will also help you.  You may also need to bulk buy, or look for products for larger coverage areas, depending on the size of your pond - but there are products that will naturally attack Algae, and have no harmful side effects upon the environment and wildlife etc.

Hope this helps.  Good luck!  Rob

Answer 2

Use an ultra-Violet light by the pump to clear the water and also the pond needs shade because the sun makes the algae grows

Answer 3

Algae is a symptom of a larger problem, and treating the symptom does not make sense.  Algae is not an issue in itself unless it covers over 50% of the water surface at all times, which cuts down on photosynthesis of other pond plants and thus deprives the fish and other water life of oxygen.  

When you see an algal bloom you know that too many nutrients are getting into the pond.  The most usual way that this happens is when lawn chemicals - or even lawn clippings - find their way into the water.  If you lie down by the edge of the pond and look all around, any land which is higher than the pond is land that must not be fertilized, because fertilizer will pollute the pond.  

Any "remedies" put into the pond when it already has an excess of nitrogen are only going to make a bigger mess of it down the line.  When you are in charge of a pond you have to be a very patient and wise person.  If you remove the source of nutrients the pond will eventually heal itself.  If, however, you are impatient and add chemicals you will never have a pond that is completely healthy.